Yamaha AW4416 Tutorial - Page 22

Tutorial-Mixdown ❒ Track 7: Organ Instruments like organ always present a challenge when trying to decide on the right amount of reverb to add. The sustained nature of the sound means you can add a LOT of reverb before you really notice it ... but it's there, and probably playing havoc with the overall mix. You'll probably need to add a touch of reverb to integrate the instrument into the overall space of the recording, but only a touch! Organ reverb at -20. ❒ Track 8: Piano The amount of reverb you add to piano track will depend both on the type of sound you are trying to create and on how the piano is played. Reverb is much more noticeable when the instrument is played in a sparse, staccato style than when played with lots of sustain and/or big chords. Particularly in the latter case the caution given for organ applies to piano as well: don't overdo it! Piano reverb at -15. ❒ Tracks 9 & 10: Strings Since the strings themselves are sort of used as a "wash" or "pad" type of sound, some reverb is essential to fill out the image. In short, the right amount of reverb can give strings - especially the synth strings that most of us will be using - a more lush, rich sound. String reverb level at -5.5. ❒ Tracks 11, 12, & 13: Chorus Here we'll use just enough reverb to fill out and unify the sound of the backing vocals. More reverb would produce a more lush sound, but would at the same time reduce the intelligibility of the vocals as well as the clarity of the overall mix. Track 11, 12, and 13 reverb to -15.9. ❒ Track 14: Lead Vocal There is a tendency to add lots of reverb to the lead vocal, but listen to the results carefully. Less is usually better. Increase the reverb gradually until you begin to hear a slight thickening or "glow", and stop there. If you're hearing reverb as a separate entity, there's too much reverb. Lead vocal reverb to -10.9. Tip! Everything, yes, everything you do to the mix can change the perceived balance of the tracks. Make adjustments to the fader levels whenever you feel the urge to do so. 22 - Tutorial