How do you A/B your Mix to.....

Author
Post
Essentials Only Full Version
RockStringBender
Max Output Level: -82 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 416
  • Joined: 2006/10/06 02:06:38
  • Location: Orlando
  • Status: offline
2008/05/23 00:03:03 (permalink)

How do you A/B your Mix to.....

an existing fav, industry staple platnum album to dial in the qualities you are seeking.

Do you import (insert your reference tracks) Abbey Road into CW or monitor it on a separate system? Do you mix it by ear and then render it to CD to A/B with the reference and then go back and adjust as needed?

Any clues (and my karma is telling me that there are no wrong answers to this query) and processes that you may use would be appreciated!

Thanks in advance,


RSB
#1

4 Replies Related Threads
    sscannon
    Max Output Level: -81 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 497
    • Joined: 2006/11/05 00:16:58
    • Status: offline
    RE: How do you A/B your Mix to..... 2008/05/23 00:05:48 (permalink)
    Import the track, and compare the sound of your mix to the reference by soloing or group muting them back and forth while mixing. An easier way is to have the CD in loop play mode on your CD player, and switch between your L/R mix and the 2Tr PB (CD) on your console.

    Check your mix in mono.
    www.redroomaudio.com
    #2
    RTGraham
    Max Output Level: -57 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1824
    • Joined: 2004/03/29 20:17:13
    • Location: New York
    • Status: offline
    RE: How do you A/B your Mix to..... 2008/05/23 00:25:25 (permalink)
    Importing the track is a good option if you're only A/B'ing against one reference track. In this case, it's useful to route your mix to a master bus, but route the reference track directly to the hardware outs, so you're getting a true comparison (especially if you mix with any compression or other effects on the mains). You can even assign the track's mute and solo buttons to a single group, with inverted settings, so that with one click you can A/B.

    I've also A/B'd against a CD player or iPod by using input selector switches, and A/B'd against a standalone WAV file player (to be able to A/B between a selection of reference tracks) routed to a different set of hardware outs, to switch back and forth. Whatever works for you.

    ~~~~~~~~~~
    Russell T. Graham
    Keys, Vocals, Songwriting, Production
    russell DOT graham AT rtgproductions DOT com
    www DOT myspace DOT com SLASH russelltgraham
    #3
    kwgm
    Max Output Level: -52.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2271
    • Joined: 2006/10/12 00:14:20
    • Status: offline
    RE: How do you A/B your Mix to..... 2008/05/23 00:33:49 (permalink)

    ORIGINAL: RockStringBender

    an existing fav, industry staple platnum album to dial in the qualities you are seeking.

    Do you import (insert your reference tracks) Abbey Road into CW or monitor it on a separate system? Do you mix it by ear and then render it to CD to A/B with the reference and then go back and adjust as needed?

    Any clues (and my karma is telling me that there are no wrong answers to this query) and processes that you may use would be appreciated!

    Thanks in advance,


    RSB


    A tool like Visualizer or Voxengo SPAN is also useful in your analysis of the recording, and in teaching yourself exactly where in the frequency spectrum you can find specific sound clusters and tonal characteristics. It helps to know a little about fundamental acoustics, especially concepts like harmonics and sidebands. These help you to understand what you're seeing and sometimes, why you're seeing what your seeing. (It's getting late!)

    You need a tool that will let you zoom into specific frequency bands, and limit your floor, to get rid of the "visual noise and clutter" as you view your output. Blue Cat audio also makes a good, free product like this (though it induced noise on old laptop). Bigger is better (you need resolution to see close, differing frequencies).


    --kwgm
    #4
    evansmalley
    Max Output Level: -76 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 715
    • Joined: 2005/06/07 08:25:15
    • Location: Kansas City, MO, USA
    • Status: offline
    RE: How do you A/B your Mix to..... 2008/05/23 06:56:56 (permalink)
    has no one mentioned RADIO SHACK?!

    dang... they make some fine line switchers... and speaker switchers... the catalog goes on and on!

    but also I think besides switching between CD and computer as sources, it's often best to make a CD and get out of the studio into an entirely different environment. The car, the neighbors', and don't forget the boat... do some sunbathing and KICK BACK and listen! from the other room and outside the door. Check it in mono and on the TV- and then wait a year or two and then you'll finally really hear it!

    sad but true
    #5
    Jump to:
    © 2024 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1