Mixing With Mike
Boot Camp Level II:
Staging, Balance & Workflow
Boot Camp Level II is a 46 week continuing study in the art of mixing. Level II will focus on the art of Staging, Balance and Workflow. Every song, style and production offers unique challenges that must be recognized and approached in a way that benefits the feeling and meaning of the song.
Boot Camp Level II is divided into 4 quarters. There are 8 songs, each representing a different style of music, that will be mixed in real time with each step and decision explicitly detailed. Quarter 1 will feature the setup and staging for all 8 songs. Each song will then be completed 1 at a time over the remaining 3 quarters.
As with Level I, each week begins with a commercial mix analysis, followed by that week's lesson topic. The stems for all 8 songs will be made available for you to follow along and practice. All the classes are pre-recorded. The course is fully supported and all questions will be answered through the forums below each video lesson.
See the outlines for each quarter listed below:
Quarter 1: Song Setup & Staging
8 Songs
A well staged and balanced mix is the critical starting point for every great mix. This is the foundation for all the creative work that follows.
Great mixes start with balances that propel the groove and create a flow through the production. The staging of each section is critical to underscore the emotional message of the song.
Quarter 1 tackles these concepts for 8 different songs
QUARTER 1: SONG SETUP AND STAGING (8 Songs)
Week 1: Song 1 Setup - Hip Hop Mix
- Song Setup and Track Evaluation
- Production Evaluation
- Levels and Panning
- Compression
- Equalization
Week 2: Song 2 Setup - Alt Rock Mix
- Song Setup and Track Evaluation
- Production Evaluation
- Levels and Panning
- Compression
- Equalization
Week 3: Song 3 Setup - Modern Jazz Mix
- Song Setup and Track Evaluation
- Production Evaluation
- Levels and Panning
- Compression
- Equalization
Week 4: Song 4 Setup - Roots Reggae Mix
- Song Setup and Track Evaluation
- Production Evaluation
- Levels and Panning
- Compression
- Equalization
Week 5: Song 5 Setup - Indie-Folk Mix
- Song Setup and Track Evaluation
- Production Evaluation
- Levels and Panning
- Compression
- Equalization
Week 6: Song 6 Setup - Modern R&B Mix
- Song Setup and Track Evaluation
- Production Evaluation
- Levels and Panning
- Compression
- Equalization
Week 7: Setup - Progressive Rock Mix
- Song Setup and Track Evaluation
- Production Evaluation
- Levels and Panning
- Compression
- Equalization
Week 8: Setup - Progressive Rock Mix Performance Edits
- Editing Drums
- Editing Bass
- Editing Guitars
- Editing Keys
- Editing Vocals
Week 9: Song 8 - Modern Pop Mix Part 1
- Song Setup and Track Evaluation
- Production Evaluation
- Levels and Panning
Week 10: Song 8 - Modern Pop Mix Part 2
- Compression
- Equalization
Week 11: Song 8 - Modern Pop Mix Part 3
- Compression
- Equalization
Week 12: Quarter 1 Review
- Songs 1-8 Review
- Mix Revisions
- Defining a Direction for Each Mix
Quarter 2: HIP HOP - ALT ROCK - MODERN JAZZ MIXES
In this quarter, we will look at 3 distinctly different styles of music to demonstrate how the process works effectively in each. The Hip Hop Mix will focus on establishing a strong beat and vocal presence. The Alt Rock Mix will focus on unique vibe and creating a dreamlike presence. The Jazz mix will focus establishing a live performance aesthetic to the studio production.
QUARTER 2: HIP HOP - ALT ROCK - MODERN R&B MIXES
Week 13: Hip Hop Mix - Tonal Balancing
Tonal balancing for Hip Hop focuses on the low end and low mid range frequencies for power and upper mid presence for the vocals.
- Pre-Amp and Tape Processing
- Saturation Processing for Tonal Character
- Parallel Processing for Focus and Detail
Week 14: Hip Hop Mix - Early Reflections and Effects
The sound field for Hip Hop ranges from dry and 'in-your-face' to deep ambient textures.
- Early Reflections for Front, Mid and Back Staging
- Short and Mid Ambient Reverb
- Long Reverb and Delays
- Creative Effects
Week 15: Hip Hop Mix - Automation and Mix Buss Processing
Automation for Hip Hip primarily focuses steady balances, dynamic transitions and well staged effects.
- Sectional, Transitional and Detailing Automation
- Vocal and Effects Automation
- Mix Stem and Mix Parallel Processing
- Mix Buss Processing and Automation
Week 16: Alt Rock Mix - Tonal Balancing
Tonal balancing for Alt Rock focuses on mid range presence.
- Pre-amp and Tape Processing
- Saturation Processing for Tonal Character
- Parallel Processing for Focus and Detail
Week 17: Alt Rock Mix - Early Reflections and Effects
The sound field for Alt Rock focuses on dense ambient room energy for power and depth.
- Early Reflections for Front, Mid and Back Staging
- Short and Mid Ambient Reverb
- Long Reverb and Delays
- Creative Effects
Week 18: Alt Rock Mix - Automation and Mix Buss Processing
Automation for Alt Rock primarily focuses on steady sectional balancing to maintain the driving energy.
- Sectional, Transitional and Detailing Automation
- Vocal and Effects Automation
- Mix Stem and Mix Parallel Processing
- Mix Buss Processing and Automation
Week 19: Modern Jazz Mix - Tonal Balancing
Tonal balancing for Modern R&B focuses on the low end density and upper mid presence and air frequencies for the vocals.
- Pre-amp and Tape Processing
- Saturation Processing for Tonal Character
- Parallel Processing for Focus and Detail
Week 20: Modern Jazz Mix - Early Reflections and Effects
The sound field for R&B focuses on tight ambient energy for kick and bass and lush reverb and delay textures for vocals.
- Early Reflections for Front, Mid and Back Staging
- Short and Mid Ambient Reverb
- Long Reverb and Delays
- Creative Effects
Week 21: Modern Jazz Mix - Automation and Mix Buss Processing
Automation for R&B primarily focuses dynamic transitions and detailing vocal stylings.
- Sectional, Transitional and Detailing Automation
- Vocal and Effects Automation
- Mix Stem and Mix Parallel Processing
- Mix Buss Processing and Automation
Week 22: Quarter 2 Review
- Songs 1-3 Review
- Mix Revisions
Quarter 3: ROOTS/REGGAE - INDIE/FOLK - MODERN R&B MIXES
This quarter will focus 3 mixes that create an intimate connection with the listener from completely different perspectives. The Roots/Reggae mix is driven from a rich vibey rhythm section accented with live horns and powered by a soulful vocal performance. The Indie/Folk song is driven by an upfront present and intimate vocal performance, supported by a shuffle beat and production elements that add depth to the expression of the vocal. The Modern R&B mix is driven by lush silky-smooth vocals and a dry beat that stages the expressive effects and production elements.
QUARTER 3: ROOTS/REGGAE - INDIE/FOLK - MODERN R&B MIXES
Week 23: Roots-Reggae Mix - Tonal Balancing
Tonal balancing for Roots-Reggae focuses on low and low mid-range density and character.
- Pre-amp and Tape Processing
- Saturation Processing for Tonal Character
- Parallel Processing for Focus and Detail
Week 24: Roots-Reggae Mix - Early Reflections and Effects
The sound field for Roots-Reggae focuses on the tonal personality of the ambient room energy.
- Early Reflections for Front, Mid and Back Staging
- Short and Mid Ambient Reverb
- Long Reverb and Delays
- Creative Effects
Week 25: Roots-Reggae Mix - Automation and Mix Buss Processing
Automation for Roots-Reggae primarily focuses on steady rhythm sectional balancing for groove and dynamic vocal effects.
- Sectional, Transitional and Detailing Automation
- Vocal and Effects Automation
- Mix Stem and Mix Parallel Processing
- Mix Buss Processing and Automation
Week 26: Indie-Folk Mix - Tonal Balancing
Tonal balancing for Indie-Folk focuses on clarity, character and presence for the vocals.
- Pre-amp and Tape Processing
- Saturation Processing for Tonal Character
- Parallel Processing for Focus and Detail
Week 27: Indie-Folk Mix - Early Reflections and Effects
The sound field for Indie-Folk focuses on tight ambient energy for vocals and the primary instrument with depth in the rest of the production.
- Early Reflections for Front, Mid and Back Staging
- Short and Mid Ambient Reverb
- Long Reverb and Delays
- Creative Effects
Week 28: Indie-Folk Mix - Automation and Mix Buss Processing
Automation for Indie-Folk primarily focuses on vocal clarity and detail with a steady rhythm section.
- Sectional, Transitional and Detailing Automation
- Vocal and Effects Automation
- Mix Stem and Mix Parallel Processing
- Mix Buss Processing and Automation
Week 29: Modern R&B Mix - Tonal Balancing
Tonal balancing for Modern Jazz focuses on Full frequency range balance and clarity.
- Pre-Amp and Tape Processing
- Saturation Processing for Tonal Character
- Parallel Processing for Focus and Detail
Week 30: Modern R&B Mix - Early Reflections and Effects Part 1
The sound field for Modern Jazz focuses on a live performance-like sound stage.
- Early Reflections for Front, Mid and Back Staging
- Short and Mid Ambient Reverb
- Long Reverb and Delays
- Creative Effects
Week 31: Modern R&B Mix - Early Reflections and Effects Part 2
The sound field for Modern Jazz focuses on a live performance-like sound stage.
- Early Reflections for Front, Mid and Back Staging
- Short and Mid Ambient Reverb
- Long Reverb and Delays
- Creative Effects
Week 32: Modern R&B Mix - Automation and Mix Buss Processing Part 1
Automation for Modern Jazz primarily focuses on smooth transitions and natural performance dynamics.
- Sectional, Transitional and Detailing Automation
- Vocal and Effects Automation
Week 32: Modern R&B Mix - Automation and Mix Buss Processing Part 2
Automation for Modern Jazz primarily focuses on smooth transitions and natural performance dynamics.
- Mix Stem and Mix Parallel Processing
- Mix Buss Processing and Automation
Week 33: Quarter 3 Review
- Songs 4-6 Review
- Mix Revisions
Quarter 4: ROCK - MODERN POP MIXES
The final 2 mixes are larger productions that demonstrate different approaches to a driving mix. The Rock mix is a fast paced production that centers around rhythm section that drives like a freight train carrying a vocal performance on top.The Modern Pop mix is a classic modern production driven by electronic elements and effects with fast changing sound field to stark tonal balance changes to create excitement and bring the lyric and message to life.
In the final 3 weeks we will focus on assessing the work accomplished in the 8 mixes with some adjustments to tidy up loose ends. We will also have a final look at student mix submissions to evaluate and make suggestions for improvement.
QUARTER 4: ROCK - MODERN POP MIXES and FINAL REVIEW
Week 35: Rock Mix - Tonal Balancing
Tonal balancing for Rock focuses on mid-range energy for drive and power.
- Pre-Amp and Tape Processing
- Saturation Processing for Tonal Character
- Parallel Processing for Focus and Detail
Week 36: Rock Mix - Early Reflections and Effects
The sound field for Rock focuses on a powerful ambient room energy.
- Early Reflections for Front, Mid and Back Staging
- Short and Mid Ambient Reverb
- Long Reverb and Delays
- Creative Effects
Week 37: Rock Mix - Automation and Mix Buss Processing
Automation for Rock primarily focuses on rhythm section energy and drive.
- Sectional, Transitional and Detailing Automation
- Vocal and Effects Automation
- Mix Stem and Mix Parallel Processing
- Mix Buss Processing and Automation
Week 38: Modern Pop Mix - Tonal Balancing Part 1
Tonal balancing for Modern-Pop focuses quick dynamic shifts in density and character between sections of the production.
- Pre-amp and Tape Processing
- Saturation Processing for Tonal Character
- Parallel Processing for Focus and Detail
Week 39: Modern Pop Mix - Tonal Balancing Part 2
Tonal balancing for Modern-Pop focuses quick dynamic shifts in density and character between sections of the production.
- Pre-amp and Tape Processing
- Saturation Processing for Tonal Character
- Parallel Processing for Focus and Detail
Week 40: Modern Pop Mix - Early Reflections and Effects Part 1
The sound field for Modern Pop focuses on quick dynamic shifts in depth, width and character.
- Early Reflections for Front, Mid and Back Staging
- Short and Mid Ambient Reverb
- Long Reverb and Delays
- Creative Effects
Week 41: Modern Pop Mix - Early Reflections and Effects Part 2
The sound field for Modern Pop focuses on quick dynamic shifts in depth, width and character.
- Early Reflections for Front, Mid and Back Staging
- Short and Mid Ambient Reverb
- Long Reverb and Delays
- Creative Effects
Week 42: Modern Pop Mix - Early Reflections and Effects Part 3
The sound field for Modern Pop focuses on quick dynamic shifts in depth, width and character.
- Early Reflections for Front, Mid and Back Staging
- Short and Mid Ambient Reverb
- Long Reverb and Delays
- Creative Effects
Week 43: Modern Pop Mix - Automation Part 1
Automation for Modern Pop primarily focuses on detailing dynamic shifts in tone, balance and space from section to section.
- Sectional, Transitional and Detailing Automation
- Vocal and Effects Automation
Week 44: Modern Pop Mix - Automation Part 2
Automation for Modern Pop primarily focuses on detailing dynamic shifts in tone, balance and space from section to section.
- Sectional, Transitional and Detailing Automation
- Vocal and Effects Automation
Week 45: Modern Pop Mix - Mix Buss Processing
Automation for Modern Pop primarily focuses on detailing dynamic shifts in tone, balance and space from section to section.
- Mix Stem and Mix Parallel Processing
- Mix Buss Processing and Automation
Week 46: Quarter 3 Review
- Songs 7-8 Review
- Mix Revisions
- Course Wrap Up
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