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Tutorial—Mixdown
22 — Tutorial
❒ Track 7: Organ
Instruments like organ always present a challenge when trying to decide on the
right amount of reverb to add. The sustained nature of the sound means you can
add a LOT of reverb before you really notice it … but it’s there, and probably
playing havoc with the overall mix. You’ll probably need to add a touch of reverb
to integrate the instrument into the overall space of the recording, but only a
touch!
Organ reverb at –20.
❒ Track 8: Piano
The amount of reverb you add to piano track will depend both on the type of
sound you are trying to create and on how the piano is played. Reverb is much
more noticeable when the instrument is played in a sparse, staccato style than
when played with lots of sustain and/or big chords. Particularly in the latter case
the caution given for organ applies to piano as well: don’t overdo it!
Piano reverb at –15.
❒ Tracks 9 & 10: Strings
Since the strings themselves are sort of used as a “wash” or “pad” type of sound,
some reverb is essential to fill out the image. In short, the right amount of reverb
can give strings — especially the synth strings that most of us will be using — a
more lush, rich sound.
String reverb level at –5.5.
❒ Tracks 11, 12, & 13: Chorus
Here we’ll use just enough reverb to fill out and unify the sound of the backing
vocals. More reverb would produce a more lush sound, but would at the same
time reduce the intelligibility of the vocals as well as the clarity of the overall
mix.
Track 11, 12, and 13 reverb to –15.9.
❒ Track 14: Lead Vocal
There is a tendency to add lots of reverb to the lead vocal, but listen to the results
carefully. Less is usually better. Increase the reverb gradually until you begin to
hear a slight thickening or “glow”, and stop there. If you’re hearing reverb as a
separate entity, there’s too much reverb.
Lead vocal reverb to –10.9.
Everything, yes, everything you do to the mix can change the perceived balance of the
tracks. Make adjustments to the fader levels whenever you feel the urge to do so.
Tip!