Dynamics, Effects and Mixing Techniques

Noise Gates

https://support.apple.com/kb/PH27458?locale=en_US&viewlocale=en_US

https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/advanced-gating-techniques-part-1

We can use the threshold to produce different rhythms if the performance has a varied dynamic range, or by syncronising the performance to a seperate track/instrument.

A noise gate or gate is an electronic device or software that is used to control the volume of an audio signal. Comparable to a compressor, which attenuates signals above a threshold, noise gates attenuate signals that register below the threshold. ... When the

gate is open, both the signal and

any noise will pass

through.

Release

Hold

Creative

Threshold

By removing unwanted portions of our recordings we are producing a clearer stereo field and the dynamics of our track will be greater without a spill. We can also syncronise instruments and vocalists delivery using a 'key' or sidechain to make the performance less sloppy.

Practical

Why bother?

Adding effects together we end up producing all sorts of sounds

Reverb creates depth and space within a mix but should be used sparingly. Too much reverb will smother a mix and make it all sound too distant. Producers use several different reverbs to create a space without 'drowning' the original sound.

[length] [type] reverb

A Level terminology: reverb over 2 seconds = 'long'

Software

Convulsive

Reverb

Algorhythmic

RT60 is a measurement of how long it would take a sound to decay 60dB from its peak.

Hardware

Reverberation is the persistence of sound after a sound is produced. A reverberation, or reverb, is created when a sound or signal is reflected causing a large number of reflections to build up and then decay as the sound is absorbed by the surfaces of objects in the space – which could include furniture, people, and air. This is most noticeable when the sound source stops but the reflections continue, decreasing in amplitude, until they reach zero amplitude.

What effect is this?

What dynamic process is this?

Landr has a great article on the different techniques you can employ to add space to your mix.

https://blog.landr.com/stereo-widening/

Haas Effect / ADR etc...

Stereo Widening Techniques

Lesson Objectives

What is a dynamic effect?

A dynamic effect is any effect that alters the dynamics (volume/amplitude) of the audio signal.

They therefore rely on two main parameters; threshold and ratio.

For the exam and coursework you need to know the following...

o Recording and production techniques for both corrective and creative purposes

o Principles of sound and audio technology

o The development of recording and production technology

• To effectively apply effects to a mix creatively.
• Distinguish between several standard dynamic effects.
• Understand the technologies in use behind the most common dynamic effects.

Parallel Distortion

By adding a distortion to a send you can send tracks to the send channel to add harmonics created from the distortion. These harmonics would not have been present in the original sound but by adding more high frequencies can make the sound 'sharper' or can add more depth to a mix.

Pumping

Expander

Removes sibilant frequencies ("S" and "Sh") by applying a compressor to specific frequencies by way of a side chain.

Sidechaining a compressor to another source (typically a 'four on the floor' drum beat) meaning when triggered it will reduce the output of the signal in that chain.

Expands the total range in dB of a waveform by further reducing transients below a given threshold.

Works like a hard knee compressor. The waveform will be reduced at a given threshold so that it never goes above.

Other dynamic effects:

Limiter (Peak Limiter)

DeEsser

Peak or RMS?

Parallel Compression

Dynamic range compression (DRC) or simply compression is an audio signal processing operation that reduces the volume of loud sounds and therefore amplifies quiet sounds thus reducing or compressing an audio signal's dynamic range.

Compression is commonly used in sound recording and reproduction, broadcasting,

live sound reinforcement and in some

instrument amplifiers.

Peak vs RMS sensing. A peak-sensing compressor responds to the instantaneous level of the input signal. ... Some compressors apply an averaging function (commonly root mean square or RMS) on the input signal before comparing its level to the threshold.

What dynamic process is this?

Dynamic Effects

Common Types and Uses