The Art & Science of Mixing
MP321 MP323
Here's something to make you think: we had a professional mixing engineer do a mix of a well recorded song using a seriously expensive mixing console in one of London's finest recording studio (we won't name names here), and then repeat the same mix using just an iMac, Logic Pro and a few plugins. Then we did a blind test with students and other sound engineers to see how much difference there would be. 50% of the people guessed wrong: essentially there was no difference.
This course teaches mixing techniques equally valid on analogue consoles, digital mixers, or any software platform. The crucial point is that the only thing that matters is trained ears, whathever the equipment.
Students will have the opportunity to learn these techniques in greater detail and do their own mixes under the supervision of a professional mixing engineer.
The sessions are mostly based on Logic Pro (read why) and the Focusrite Liquid Mix but the techniques covered apply to any combination of software or hardware.
Topics covered include
- Critical listening
- Know what you are mixing for
- Planning and preparation
- Choosing the tools for the job
- Developing a ‘mixing method.
- The key elements of a great mix
- Practical suggestions on the use of EQ and processing
- Extra efforts for critical areas: bottom end, vocals
- Power automation
Evening part-time
MP321: The course lasts 12 weeks, with a frequency of one evening lecture per week of three hours.
Full-time
MP323: This option is only available as part of a Diploma course. The MP323 Advanced Studio Techniques course consists of the same lectures offered in the MP321 course, but includes practical time in the studio plus an additional six weeks of practical time to complete the coursework.
IMPORTANT: ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
This is not a beginner's course: a basic understanding of mixers, effects, compression and music software is required to attend this session. If in doubt, contact the London School of Sound during office hours to discuss your case.
This course suits anyone in possession of a Logic or Pro Tools certification, or who has recently graduated from a sound engineering college, or who can claim at least two years of self-taught experience in a home-studio.
Course details
| course code | MP324: part-time MP323: full-time |
|---|---|
| length | MP324: 12 weeks MP323: 16 weeks |
| schedule | MP324: 1 day per week 18.45 to 21.45 MP323: only available as part of a Diploma course |
| entry requirements | preliminary interview or entrance exam |
| course fee | MP324: £1,300 + registration fee MP323: only available as part of a Diploma course |
| registration fee | £350 |
This Lecture Uses Liquid Mix Technology from Focusrite.
About the lecturer
Recording & Mix Engineer Matt Foster has many years of experience working in some of London's best studios including Strongroom, Townhouseand Miloco, but as a freelance engineer he can be found mixing in a shed with just a laptop! His credits list is too long to be printed here, but it goes from The Corrs to Ms.Dynamite, passing through the Darkness, Emma Bunton and Gorillaz on the way.
Depending on the project Matt mixes on SSL, Logic or Pro Tools.
Check out Matt's full credits list
October 2009, Matt says:
"Get aquatinted with a soldering iron with this very cool cost effective little schematic for a passive transformer based reamping device"
Why Logic – is this course only for Logic users?
The aim of this course is to show techniques that can be immediately put to use by anyone: Logic is the most popular application among professional musicians and the amount of usable bult-in effects that come with the Pro version make it a complete mixing environment straight out of the box.
As such, it's ideal to demonstrate the mixing process without having to rely on third party plugins which might be different for everyone.
However we will often point out where there might be a difference between one platform and another, and when a significant advantage can be had from one particular product this will be demonstrated practically.
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