Digital Street Studio Delaware Recording Update - Final Mixing

When it comes to final mixes, you'll hear varying opinions on how to creating a "final mix". Some producers want the lows, mids, and highs to be exact before going to mastering. Others take a more conservative approach and leave minor, overall adjustments in the mastering phase. Also, some prefer final mixes to have a 80% to 90% commercial volume before mastering. While there are some who prefer their final mixes to be in the -12db range with very little overall compression. For most of us in the field, we tend to go with what we know if it works. For me, I tend to fall into that conservative category when it comes to eq'ing final mixes and the same holds true for volume. I like this technique because it makes the mastering process much easier. Now, I could go into the details of making solid final mixes but that will give me a great topic for next weeks blog. As for final mixes, don't beat your head up against the wall if your final mixes are not turning out the way you want. Give us a call today, we're always happy to provide helpful tips.

Chris and Kevin
Digital Street Studio
20 East Division Street
Dover, Delaware

Digital Street Studio is a full service production facility specializing in all aspects of media production

Digtal Street Studio and Media Production Delaware Recording Update 1.4.13

Don't get rid of your hard disk recorders just yet. Yes, it's true. While many studios wrestle with the decision to buy a multi-channel interface for their recording platform, you may have everything you need already. As predicted, companies like Boss and Roland are developing programs to transport files directly from HD recorders to computer based recording platforms. The reason the HD recorder is still very popular is it's dependability and ease of use. Most HD recorders are equipped with out dated SCSI drives for file back up and cd/dvd transfer. However, until recently there was no way to transfer files directly. Now that programs and adapted components are allowing for that transfer, the demand for glitchy , rack mounted interfaces may very well decline. I also feel the industry will see another up-swing of stand alone HD platforms once editing capabilities are comparable to PC based platforms. Keep in mind, this is my opinion but one that is not alone. Engineers are blogging and hopefully the software companies are listening. Build something like the Roland VS-2480 with the sound engine and effects of Pro tools. Do that and you will have a monster of a machine. Well, until next time, happy recording.


Digital Street Studio and Media Production

Proudly serving Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey

Digital Street Studio and Media Production Update 11.15.12

As a business owner, you try to live by the code "The customer is always right". Well, most of the time. What if you're forced to compromise standards just to keep the customer happy? It's a tough question, especially in this economy. In the recording business, we work with all musicians, some good, some "not so good". Hey, it's an art form and not everyone is Rembrandt. However, as experts in the recording industry, when do we say, " I can not allow this work to reflect poorly on my business". What I'm getting at is there are standards you have to set for yourself and your business. At what point do you sacrifice a payday in order to maintain a reputation? Hope to see you soon in the studio.


Chris and Kevin
Digital Street Studio &
Media Production
Dover, Delaware

Serving Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania.

Digital Street Studio and Media Productions - Audio Recording Update 10.4.12

Some of you may getting ready to start your next recording project and find yourself at a crossroads. Should you enter the studio, where you know you're going to incur cost?  Or, make the investment in your own audio gear? Well, I'm here to offer some advice.....DON'T DO IT!! Unless you're willing to spend a few thousand dollars, plus thousands of hours learning what it takes to record and produce your own music, leave it to professionals. Yes, I know some will say "well, you own a studio, of course you want the business". My response...."without a doubt". However, I speak from experience. I lived through the learning curve that many of you will not finish. Just because you've purchase your own recording gear does not mean you're anywhere near ready to produce quality mixes. Instead, treat your music like a business. Budget your money and have a plan from start to finish. If other musicians are involved, make sure everyone is ready to enter the studio. Being prepared will save time which equals money.

Chris and Kevin
Digital Street Studio
& Media Productions
Dover, Delaware

Serving, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Digtal Street Studio and Media Productions - Audio Recording Update 9.26.12

Hours of mixing comes at a price. Yes, there's always money associated with mixing but the price I'm referring too is hearing. Make sure your audio levels stay low. This will allow you to mix longer and maintain accuracy. If you find that your mix levels are starting to increase, give yourself a break for a few hours. Hope the infro helps.

Chris and Kevin
Digital Street Studio
and Media Productions
Serving Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Digital Street Studio and Media Productions - Audio Recording Update 9.21.12

The more time I spend talking to other musicians, not to mention individuals just starting to engineer their own music, I'm finding frustration concerning drum mixes. Their mixes are either muddy or undefined. Also, they lack pop or punch. There's multiple factors that can cause this. First, let's start with the basics. Are you recording with dedicated drum mic's? Are your drums set up for studio recording? (Quality heads, tuning and tightness are crucial) Is the room acoustically treated? These are the basics and need to be addressed first. Second, proper eq, compression and reverb have to be properly adjusted. Without proper eq'ing and compression, your mixes will sound lifeless. So, now that we have that covered, adjust your other instrument levels so the drums are in context. Now, this is considered the missing step and in all likelyhood the reason for your frustration........Bounce or bus the drums to a L & R stereo mix. This opens up the audio field to allow the other tracks to breath and will tighten the drums giving them more definiton. This will give you the ability to fine tune the eq, compression and overall reverb if needed. Hope the info helps.

Chris and Kevin
Digital Street Stduio
& Media Productions
Dover, Delaware

Serving Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey.

Digital Street Studio and Media Productions, Audio Recording Update 9.13.12

Creating the "perfect" mix very rarely happens on the first try. It doesn't matter if you've been engineering and producing for many years. It's very possible, the next day you listen to that same mix you will find elements to make it better. Elements you didn't hear the day before. Basically, give yourself time to turn mixes around. Your mixes will only benefit and so will your reputation.

Chris and Kevin
Digtal Street Studio
and Media Productions
Dover, Delaware

Serving Delaware, Maryland, Virginia, New Jersey and Pennsylvania