Mixing and Mastering Fundamentals Flashcards
7 cards from real Music & Audio Advice practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Mixing and Mastering Fundamentals flashcards as text
What does a high-pass filter do when applied to a track?
Answer: Removes low frequencies below the cutoff
A high-pass filter attenuates frequencies below its cutoff point, letting higher frequencies pass.
What is the purpose of a de-esser in mixing?
Answer: To reduce harsh sibilant 's' and 't' sounds in vocals
A de-esser is a frequency-specific compressor that tames excessive sibilance in vocal recordings.
Which compressor parameter sets how quickly gain reduction is applied after the signal exceeds the threshold?
Answer: Attack
The attack time determines how fast the compressor responds once the signal crosses the threshold.
What is gain staging in a mix?
Answer: Managing signal levels at each stage to avoid noise and clipping
Gain staging keeps levels healthy through the signal chain to preserve headroom and avoid distortion.
What does panning control in a stereo mix?
Answer: The left-right placement of a sound
Panning positions a sound across the stereo field between the left and right speakers.
Why is it common to mix at moderate listening volumes?
Answer: The ear's frequency response is flatter and fatigue is reduced
At moderate levels the Fletcher-Munson effect is minimized and your ears stay accurate longer.
What is the typical purpose of a reference track during mixing?
Answer: To compare tonal balance and loudness against a professional mix
A reference track gives an objective benchmark for balance, width, and loudness in the same genre.