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MC7.1
- Surround Monitor Controller
Mix Checking Tips
Due to the versatility of the MC7.1, and it’s thorough array of controls, some very
useful techniques for checking your mix can easily be achieved, especially for
stereo mixes, that can help improve the balance within a mix, pinpoint stereo width,
phase and mono problems, and also aid when monogising.
The following are a few handy tips to help eradicate problems and bring about a
balance within the mix:
Not too loud
Give your ears a break. Do not have the volume too loud - frequent monitoring at
anything above 90dB will only make your ears tired, meaning that you won’t really
hear the problems that may be occurring, and give you a false sense that the mix
sounds nice and loud. Also, constant listening at anything above 100dB will probably
have a long term detrimental effect on your hearing.
Shhhh...
Get into a habit of listening to your mix at very low levels quite often. Remember that
not everyone listening to your song has music blasting out. As well as giving your
ears a break, it will heighten problems in the mix - Do the key elements have a
good balance, or are some instruments more prominent than they should be? If
something is too quiet or loud adjust its volume or use E.Q. to fix it. If the mix
sounds good at low levels it’s likely that it will when loud.
Note that on the MC7.1 it is better to lower the volume level using the DIM switch
and then turn the volume up, rather than only turning the volume down, as you
maintain greater control over the volume.
Increase the Volume of Quiet Passages.
Because the MC7.1 circuitry is active it allows for the signal level to be increased,
rather than only attenuated, making subtle problems within the mix, such as noise
at low levels, or unwanted harmonics, more obvious and easier to iron out, especially
during passages that would normally be quiet.
Hear, There and Everywhere......
Listen to your all your mixes, whether surround or stereo, in as many environments
and on as many systems as possible. Remember not everyone will have a 7.1
system, many will have stereo, and some will be listening via smartphones in
mono. In such conditions you may find that an instrument drops out of the mix, or
another is too prominent, or that it doesn’t capture the ambience and adjustments to
the mix need to be made.
