This month's tip is about monitoring your mix. In the store we often get question, "I have awesome home stereo speakers - can I mix on those?" The answer is yes and no. There are two main listening sessions you need to have to complete your mix. The first listening sessions for accuracy and a second set of listening sessions for translation.
Mixing for accuracy means you probably can't use your amazing home stereo speakers, or at least not very well. They are designed to massage the sound coming through so it sounds the most pleasing to the ear. Good speakers change the frequencies to smooth out any harshness and give you a pleasing listening experience. They are also overcoming their own weakness to detail with these changes. When it comes to mixing your audio, you need monitors that won't produce hyped lows or highs and give you accurate detail in between. These are typically called "Reference Monitors." and can be found for around $279 (at the time of writing) for a pair of M-Audio Studiophile BX5a Deluxe on the lower end, or the 8 inch M-Audio Studiophile BX8a Deluxe for $449. In the mid range we have sold a lot of the Yamaha HS50m and Yamaha HS80m monitors. Getting more expensive we like the JBL LSR4326P pair or JBL LSR4328P pair. All reference monitors will have inaccuracies, and most certainly so will your mixing room (Especially in the low end if it is a smaller room). So get to know your mixing area and its weaknesses by trying mixes again and again and listening to your favourite music in comparison.
When it comes to making sure your mix translates, that is, that your mix sounds good in the places where your friends and fans will be listening, this is the time when it is important to play your final mix in your regular stereo speakers. In fact, play the mix just about everywhere you can. At one time, the final listen always happened in the car. Now, with the changes in listening habits, perhaps the final listen should be on iPod earbuds. Wherever you take your final mix, don't trust it too much but use it to inform your mixing decision before giving it the final okay. Good luck and happy mixing!
