CMP Mixing and Mastering Principles 2

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of mid-side (M/S) processing in mastering?

Accepted Answer

To apply different EQ and dynamics to the center and sides of a stereo mix independently

Answer

To combine two mono tracks into a single stereo output

Answer

To remove low-frequency content from the stereo field

Answer

To convert a stereo mix to mono for club playback

Question 2

Which bus compression technique is commonly used to glue elements of a mix together?

Accepted Answer

Inserting a compressor on the stereo master bus with a slow attack and fast release

Answer

Parallel compression on a send channel

Answer

High-ratio limiting on individual drum tracks

Answer

Sidechain compression triggered by the kick drum

Question 3

What does the term 'true peak' refer to in digital audio metering?

Accepted Answer

The peak level that accounts for inter-sample peaks that may exceed 0 dBFS after D/A conversion

Answer

The loudest RMS value averaged over one second

Answer

The peak level measured before the master limiter

Answer

The maximum LUFS value allowed by streaming platforms

Question 4

In mixing, what is the purpose of high-pass filtering (HPF) on most non-bass instruments?

Accepted Answer

To remove inaudible or muddy low-frequency content and reduce mix clutter

Answer

To add warmth and low-end body to the instrument

Answer

To increase the perceived loudness of the instrument

Answer

To create a send effect for reverb tails

Question 5

What is 'parallel compression' (New York compression)?

Accepted Answer

Compressing a signal and blending it with the dry, uncompressed signal

Answer

Applying two compressors in series on the same channel

Answer

Using sidechain compression on a parallel send bus

Answer

Automating compression ratio changes in real time

Question 6

When mastering for streaming platforms like Spotify, what integrated loudness target (LUFS) is typically recommended?

Accepted Answer

-14 LUFS

Answer

-6 LUFS

Answer

-23 LUFS

Answer

-3 LUFS

Question 7

What is 'frequency masking' in a mix and how is it addressed?

Accepted Answer

It occurs when two sounds occupy the same frequency range, causing one to obscure the other; addressed by EQ carving

Answer

Masking is a desired effect created by reverb tails overlapping

Answer

It refers to noise floor suppression using a noise gate

Answer

It is the process of automating mutes to hide bleed between tracks