Audio Mixing Techniques Flashcards
7 cards from real CMP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Audio Mixing Techniques flashcards as text
What is the primary purpose of a high-pass filter (HPF) on most non-bass instruments during a mix?
Answer: To remove low-frequency rumble and muddiness
A high-pass filter removes low-frequency content that contributes nothing musically to non-bass instruments but adds mud and masking.
In audio mixing, what does the term 'gain staging' refer to?
Answer: Managing signal levels at each point in the signal chain to avoid noise and clipping
Gain staging ensures every stage of the signal chain operates at an optimal level, minimizing noise floor issues and preventing clipping.
Which mixing technique uses a fast attack and slow release on a compressor to help a snare drum punch through the mix?
Answer: New York compression
New York (parallel) compression blends a heavily compressed signal with the dry signal to add sustain and punch without squashing transients.
What is 'masking' in the context of audio mixing?
Answer: When two sounds occupy overlapping frequency ranges and one obscures the other
Masking occurs when two or more sounds share similar frequencies, causing one to reduce the perceived clarity of the other.
What does a de-esser primarily target in a vocal track?
Answer: Harsh sibilant frequencies (typically 4–10 kHz) caused by 's' and 'sh' sounds
A de-esser is a frequency-selective compressor designed to reduce harsh sibilance in the 4–10 kHz range on vocal recordings.
What is the function of send/return (aux) routing in a DAW mix?
Answer: To apply one instance of an effect (like reverb) to multiple channels simultaneously
Send/return routing allows a single effect processor to receive signals from multiple channels, saving CPU and maintaining consistent reverb or delay across the mix.
Which panning law setting compensates for the perceived volume increase when a signal is panned to center in a stereo mix?
Answer: -3 dB panning law
The -3 dB panning law reduces the center signal by 3 dB to compensate for the psychoacoustic loudness increase when a sound is perceived from both speakers.