CRITICAL LISTENING by Guy Gray

Guy Gray’s Tips & Tricks: CRITICAL LISTENING

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Resident Producer/Engineer Guy Gray is back with another set of Tips & Tricks to share with you. This week, he lets you in on a simple but crucial skill – the gentle art of CRITICAL LISTENING.

Every so often during your mixdown session, you should listen to your mix in mono at a very low SP level on one monitor only. Do this preferably on a domestic, non-pro type house hold speaker. Small multi-media or laptop type speakers are perfect for this, given we are living in the Youtube century! Many large scale studios tend to have Auratone’s for this very purpose.

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Look (or ‘listen‘) for any obvious frequencies or level masking. Check for phase coherency and any instrument / frequency cancellation issues.

And remember the Golden Rule: The main vocal is of paramount importance so make sure it sits just right in the mix. It’s amazing how this critical listening mode can help you. Just re-tweak a couple of levels to make your mix sound better balanced and more finished. Remember balance is the corner stone to a great sounding mix.

[Award-winning producer/engineer/mixer Guy Gray has rejoined the Studios 301 team following his recent return to Australia.]