Do you want to understand audio mixing? At Studiospares, we understand that the world of audio mixing can be very daunting and often hard to comprehend, with complex words that have even more complex meanings, leading to complex headaches… But don’t worry we’re here to help you shed some light on audio mixing!
Our goal is to break down the barrier to entry on audio mixing so that anyone can understand these concepts. When you come to audio mixing your track, you’ll understand what everything is and exactly what it’s doing!
Amplitude
The magnitude of a sound wave, determining its volume or loudness.
Automation
Enabling parameters to change automatically over time during playback.
Balance
Adjusting the volume levels of various audio tracks to create a cohesive mix.
Clipping
Distortion that occurs when the signal level exceeds the maximum capacity, resulting in a harsh, distorted sound.
Clip Gain
Adjusting the volume of specific regions or sections within a track.
Compression
Reducing the dynamic range of a signal by decreasing the volume of loud sounds and increasing the volume of softer sounds.
Crossfade
A gradual transition between two audio tracks by overlapping and blending their endings and beginnings.
Delay
An effect that creates an echo or repeated sound by delaying an audio signal.
De-Esser
A tool to reduce or remove sibilance in vocal recordings.
EQ (Equalization)
Adjusting the frequency content of an audio signal to enhance or attenuate specific frequencies.
Expander
Increases the dynamic range by boosting signals above a set threshold.
Fader
A sliding control used to adjust the volume level of an audio track.
Feedback
Undesirable sound caused by a loop between a microphone and a speaker.
Filter
An EQ-based effect that allows specific frequency ranges to pass while cutting others.
Gain
The amplification or attenuation of an audio signal’s level.
Gate
An audio processor that cuts off the signal below a set threshold, reducing background noise.
Harmonics
Overtones or multiples of the fundamental frequency that contribute to the timbre of a sound.
High-Pass Filter
Allows frequencies above a certain point and attenuates frequencies below.
Limiter
Prevents the audio signal from exceeding a specified level, used to avoid clipping.
Loudness Metering
Measuring the perceived loudness of audio.
Mix Bus
The combined output of multiple audio tracks before final output.
Mixdown
Combining all tracks into a stereo file for final output.
Multiband Compression
Applying different compression settings to various frequency bands.
Modulation
Changing a parameter of a sound over time, often associated with effects like chorus, flanger, and phaser.
Mute
Silencing an audio track or channel.
Noise Gate
An expander that silences audio below a certain level, reducing background noise.
Overdub
Recording additional parts on top of existing tracks.
Pan
Adjusting the placement of a sound in the stereo field, from left to right.
Phase
Alignment or misalignment of audio waveforms affecting the sound’s quality.
Pitch
The perceived frequency of a sound, and adjusting it higher or lower.
Pre-Fader/Post-Fader
Refers to signal processing before or after the fader in a channel.
Reverb
Adding spatial depth to sound by simulating the reflections in an acoustic space.
Routing
Directing audio signals from one point to another within a mixing console or software.
Resonance
A peak in a frequency response, creating a pronounced emphasis at that frequency.
Sidechain
Using the signal from one source to control another, such as in ducking or keying.
Saturation
Adding harmonic content or distortion to a sound.
Send/Return
Routing a portion of a signal to an effects unit and then returning it to the mix.
Solo
Isolating a specific track for monitoring without other tracks playing.
Stereo Imaging
Adjusting the width and placement of audio in the stereo field.
Subtractive EQ
Lowering specific frequencies rather than boosting others.
Sweep
Moving through frequencies to identify problematic or desired areas in an audio signal.
Time-Based Effects
Effects like delay, reverb, and echo that manipulate time properties of a sound.
Track
An individual audio recording within a project.
Transient
The initial attack or onset of a sound.
Time Stretching
Altering the duration of an audio signal without affecting its pitch.
Transient Shaper
A tool to emphasize or reduce the transients in a sound.
VU Meter
A device or plugin used to measure audio levels.
Wet/Dry Mix
Controlling the balance between the affected (wet) and unaffected (dry) signal.
XLR
A type of connector commonly used for microphones and other audio equipment.
Zero Crossing
Points where an audio waveform crosses the zero-axis, crucial for smooth editing to avoid pops or clicks.
