EQ Magazine - April 2009 - (Page 43) hear a demon come up from behind you, and it will feel like things are coming at you from the sky. Surround sound is a huge creative advantage, because it adds a new dimension to the mix. Also, for this production we decided to purchase three separate sets of monitors in order to get a perspective on how our music will sound when played back in different formats. Remember, music can now be heard online, on your phone, and in Starbucks. You need to mix and master multiple versions of your songs for each format so you get the bestsounding version for each medium. It is also a big help to mix your work in mono and in stereo. In general, how do you achieve a great metal drum mix? I like to use specific panning techniques. For example, I make sure the snare comes straight down the middle of the mix, whereas I like to place toms across the stereo spectrum where you would imagine them spatially—as if the drummer were playing directly in front of you. Cymbals are obviously panned in stereo, as well, and how hard I pan them right and left depends on what sounds best in the final mix. Triggers can also make mixing difficult if you are not used to using them. Triggers are devices you connect to a drum so that the stick hits can be isolated, which lets you replace the acoustic drum sounds with samples. Many Death Metal drum recordings made today rely on the use of triggers to get a clear, consistent, and accurate sound. You can also keep a drummer who may make inconsistent hits on the drum honest. This process actually helps the mix process tremendously by cutting a lot of time editing drums. If you are not using triggers, then you will probably have to rely on mix automation to ensure clear and accurate hits. You can also use a plug-in such as Drumagog, which can be used for re-sampling when building the drums in the mix. If the samples you use sound bad, or if they sound over produced, they can ruin your mix. DDrum and Roland both offer great sounds. What do you do to get greatsounding guitars in your mixes? Loud, heavy, and low-tuned guitars are the hallmark of any great death metal recording. Being a guitarist myself, I know the intricacies of getting different sounds for different types of recordings, and the quality of your instrument plays a large part in it. For example, because of the low tuning, specific adjustments need to be made to your guitar, as the strings are looser than when they are tuned to standard cording at the Learn audio reof Recording Conservatory s. Arts & Science ording, you need Call today! 888.60, AZ 85282 pe www.audiorecordingsch ool.com/eq 4.4075 career in audio rec If you’re serious about a as committed to your recording school that is to attend a success as you are. teaches you ording Arts and Sciences ss The Conservatory of Rec ipment in eight world-cla ing equ on state of the art record sound room. 00 square foot live studios, six labs, and a 6,0 Platinum award under seasoned Gold and You’ll study succeed. o know what it takes to t, winning instructors wh ls, Logic Pro, EAW Smaar in Pro Too You’ll earn certifications kage that helps receive a laptop pac Waves, and more. You’ll AS Connect along in class, access CR you follow lum delivery system), (our web based curricu cational access and gives you 24 hour edu e. And before you even while you’re at hom as internship graduate, you’ll complete . choose at a location you help When it comes to audio… 2300 E Broadway Rd | Tem ) rt, AZ 85233 (satellite facility 1205 N Fiesta Blvd | Gilbe .html . LET WE ARE THE EXPERTS E MIX. US HELP YOU GET IN TH www.eqmag.com APRIL 2009 EQ 43 http://www.audiorecordingschool.com/eq.html http://www.eqmag.com
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