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Can someone explain to me what the purpose of a “mixing down” a song is, and the purpose of it is. Oftentimes, next to certain pieces equipment, a “mixer” is regarded as probably the most important component to a song regarding the level of it’s sonic and acoustic qualities. Can someone please explain to me why this is so and what exactly is a mixer responsible for overseeing in the audio production process.
Please and thanks,
BG.
A mixer is generally used twice in the recording process. First to set the levels to be recorded onto an individual track, that includes adjusting the tone of the voice or instrument (EQ) and adjusting the amount of effects to enhance the quality of the track. Once this part has been accomplished and recorded, the second use of the mixer is to blend the level of each instrument together to come up with a product that is appealing to the human ear. This is usually accomplished by playing the previously recorded tracks back through the mixer and adjusting each track level to blend with the other tracks and then assign the outputs of each individual track using the pan control to create a stereophonic version of the music. For live performance, the first and second steps are usually combined into one step and the recording step is usually eliminated.
Let's say you've recorded a couple of vocals, a set of drums, two guitars, bass and keyboards. Using only one track for each, that's seven different tracks. (Keys are usually stereo, drums could be seven separate tracks of their own).
Most stereo systems use two tracks, left and right. If we listen on cans, that's about all we need.
First a balance of volume needs to be attained between all the instruments. That can change in any subsequent re-mix. Then a decision as to where in the space between left and right each track goes - pan. It would sound odd if half the track was panned left, the other right. So each track gets its own treatment.
Then there's an amount of eq., which will be different for each track. For instance, if the drums needed brightening up with more top end, without mixing, everything else would become more piercing. Not good. Then there's the question how much reverb? Some of the tracks need none, some lots. Without separate mixing facilities, it would be all or nothing.
There a heck of a lot more involved in mixing, but this is a snapshot. Hope it makes sense.
The begin of the Wikipedia article already describes it very well.
The term "mixing down" emphasizes that you have more tracks than output channels. For example 1 track per instrument/vocals but only 2 channels (stereo) for output. I don't think people say "mixing down" when the output is in surround - then it's just mixing - but I am not entirely sure on that point.
