Mixing audio and sounds is a great way to make a recording sound better. People have been mixing different audios and sounds into music and film production throughout history. Actually, it’s rare not to use a sample when mixing a new track. Many people who are new to mixing audio and sounds aren’t sure where to begin.
With this guide, we’re going to go over the basics that everyone should know before they begin mixing different audio and sounds. Before you begin, you should always have an idea of what audio samples you would like to work with. Knowing your sound is key for a great mix. Many people turn to unison audio to find the best samples online.
Set Your Room Up Right
Before getting started, you should always make sure the room you are mixing your sound in is set up for acoustics. If you take the time to treat the room for mixing, you will see an overall improvement in your mixes. You will also want to make sure there aren’t any distraction noises from outside the room.
Listen To The Original Copy
If you are mixing audio and sounds for an artist’s song, it’s important that you really listen to the rough copy they sent you. When they record their song, the artist is trying to create a certain vibe with their music. It’s important that you pick up on what that vibe is before you start mixing sounds. The last thing you want to do is ruin the vibe they created.
Select Your Samples
When it comes to the final results of your mixing, the samples you choose do have an impact on the quality. Once you become more familiar with mixing different audios, you’ll be able to make a better prediction of how certain audios will sound in a mix. Until then, you should continue experimenting to see which sounds work best.
When it comes to mixing samples, there are four main types of audio samples that people choose from:
- One Shot Samples: mix-ready samples that require very little processing to works with
- Loops: a time-saving method using a loop of audio that’s proven to be popular
- Sample Records: using samples of tracks that have previously been recorded
- Non-musical samples: using recordings that aren’t musical, but still fit in with the mix
Don’t Forget To Edit
When a track is being recorded, a lot of things can get captured that shouldn’t be there. Once you mix audio and sounds not the track, it will likely be more noticeable. These could be the tinies sounds too, like the click of a computer mouse, but they still sound unpleasant on the track. Make sure you edit out all the unnecessary noises and sounds from the track.
Final Thoughts
Mixing audio and sounds is something that takes a lot of practice. It’s perfectly normal if not all of your mixes come out sounding how you imagined. With more practice and experience using different samples, you’ll become better at judging which ones should be used.
