How do you get a good mix?

[souwalker]

Up until recently, we've been going to a rehearsal studio to rehearse before a gig. The owner basically mix our midi files, vocals and guitar all soundin sweet. Duiring rehearsal, our guitar amps are not miked but the over all mix is so nice. For a few gigs, we did for a club which rented a venue, I suggested the club commitee to rent the same PA gear from our rehearsal studio, which they did. On the day of the gig, the studio owner sound checked us, miked our guitar amps and made it all so nice. He too adjusted the mix during each song if he found it need adjustment.

We have not used our gear for awhile because our 12" PA speaker would've struggled at those other venue (Town Hall). We are using our gear this time at the wedding and I am wondering how to get the mix right?

Last Saturday we rehearsed. We had issue with getting the mix right. The midi files were at a comfortable level. At the gig, that level will be boosted.

I was not entirely happy with the mix. Our 2 guitars and vocals didn't seem to blend in with the midi, if you know what I mean. Either one electric guitar was louder then the other despite adjusting and sometimes I could not hear the bass/drum and was hard to sing if can't hear the beat :-( At the studio allwas blended and mixed in so well.

Any tips on how to improve the mix sounding as part of the file and not overpowering? We lack the mixing skills and still learning.

Thanks
Pat

[charlie]

Hey Pat,

Yeah....mixing venues with different PA gear is always a challenge, but there are things you can do that will help with achieving a good mix. First, who is doing the mixing? You or a sound engineer? If a sound engineer is doing the mixing, it is a good idea to get to know him and find out what kind of mix he likes to hear. Afterall, he will mix the sound so it is pleasing to his ears and that sound may not be what you like to hear coming from the PA. Not enough drums or bass...too much high end....too much live guitar, etc. Ask him to work with you on a achieving a sound that is both pleasing to you and him. Otherwise, it will become a battle of wills and as a perfomer you don't want to have to be preoccuopied with the mix. Your concentration needs to be on your performance. Secondly, if YOU are to be mixing from stage, then make sure to position the PA cabinets where you can hear them. I turn the PA cabinet on my side slightly inward so that I can hear at least the high end. This is important because most of the mix is audible in the high and mid frequencies, low end is more a feel than a sound. With the cabinets turned inwards I can hear the vocal balance over the midi. I can hear how much effects are on the vocals, if it's too much or not enough. Also, you must keep in mind that midis are not mixed all the same. Some midis may have drums and bass somewhat buried in the mix. Other midis may have the drums and bass way out in front. One thing I do is to slightly over empasize the drums and bass, especially on dance tunes. This helps the mix sound more "live" and gives the dancers what they want to hear so they can move. If you have ever walked up to a club where a band is playing, you will most always hear the drums and bass first. This is due to several different reasons...longer sonic wave forms on the low end so the sound can travel greater distances.....resonance of the building itself in response to low end frequencies. My point here is to try and make the mix sound as close to a "live" band feel. It's a more natural thing for people to listen to and if mixed correctly, the audience won't care if there is not a drummer or bass player on stage. I have been running midis live now for over 12 years and the more "live" you make them sound, the more acceptable your sound will be. You have to remember that in the studio, you have a controlled environment, and it's much easier to hear things. In a club or "live" situtation there are many issues to deal with that will impact your sound. Acoustically, the venue you're playing in make force you to make some changes...a lot of glass and mirrors will reek havoc on high end frequencies with squeals and feedback. A lot of wood, carpet, draperies will deaden the sound. Tall ceilings with hardwood floors such as in a gymnasium will cause the low end to sound rumbly and undefined. I could go on and on, but I hope I have helped you. There are a lot of very knowledgeable members here on Midimart that can give you valuable advice. I have certainly have gained a lot of useable information from them.

Charlie

[souwalker]

Thanks Charlie

We will be doing the mix ourselves from stage so the essential sound check is a must. I suppose one of us should stay where we are to perform with the midi's playing, the vocal and guitar playing and another one at the far end of the restaurant to ensure the mix is good, correct?

I have heard to run everything up from the front end and control the volume via the main mix, is that correct? meaning the volume control on the sound module turn to the max, and control the mix from the mixer via the CD Line In fader, correct? We normally have the module volume set to 12o'clock. Do we get all the mix correct then control, loudness via the main mix fader? We are playing 1st set during dinner so we are playuing softer, slower songs and the sound should not sound to loud. Then from the 2nd set onwards, the dancing would begin. How do we mix for that if we've mixed for the softer set?

Rgds
Pat

[thingyy]

Each member should walk around the venue {not just the far end}whilst the others are testing. People in front may not want thier ears to bleed. When you finish the gig make a note of all levels as this will be a good guide line for the next gig.
Just increase master volume once all is balanced.
There is a difference between dynamics and volume.

[weegeo]

Hiya you have asked a good question here lol there is no easy answer because the `mix` you like may not be the `mix` i like but as a general rule we arrive early and get a `sound check` in before the hall fills up this allows us to get a general feel,then when the hall fills up we adjust accordingly. The more technical amongst us can give you better advice than me but this is how i do it,i prefer my mike to be a little `toppy`so i adjust a little more treble on the top end generally our `mid is just above 9`0 clock and the bottom end is 7`o clock that takes care of my vocals the files are set with the `top` end about 10 `o clock mid half way and the bottom end almost off this is because my bass player does the bottom end] As for volumes we have a 2 1/2 `k` power amp which i ran at full tilt i set the main volume on my mixer at about halfway and then each indivual slider at just about 3/4`s and thats it. now i know this may not work for you but this is how i do my set up and it`s been very successful for 20 years now,but as i said mixing is very much an acquired taste and any advice would only be a general guide Good Luck

Regards weegeo