Mixing Audio or Final Cut Express HD for Mac OS X

Mixing Audio: Concepts, Practices and Tools

Author: Roey Izhaki

Mixing remains one of the most illusive arts of recording practice and can take a life time to master. Looking at practices, concepts, tools and mixing instruments the author provides a comprehensive insight to the art and science of mixing.

Whether a hobbyist of professional this book covers basic concepts to advanced techniques as well as tips and tricks and is a vital read for anyone wanting to succeed in the field of mixing.

The book is accompanied by the website mixingaudio.com, featuring a sample chapter, illustrations, audio and a user forum.

* Rounded, extensive and complete coverage of music mixing
* Includes a DVD with over 700 audio samples and 4 sample mixes
* Covers new topics and mixing trends such as computer centred mixing

Table of Contents:

Introduction

Part I: Concepts and Practices

Music and mixing
Music - an extremely short introduction
The role and importance of the mix
The perfect mix Some axioms and other gems
Louder perceived better
Percussives weight less
Importance
Natual vs. artificial Learning to mix
What makes a great mixing engineer?
Methods of learning
Mixing analysis
Reference tracks The process of mixing
Mixing and the production chain
The mix as a composite
Where to start?
Deadlocks
Milestones
Finalizing and stabilizing the mix Related issues
How long does it take?
Breaks
Using solos
Mono listening
Bouncing
Housekeeping
Mix Edits
Mastering Mixing domains and objectives
Mixing objectives
Frequency domain
Level domain
Stereo domain
Depth

Part II: Tools

Monitoring
How did we get here?
Choosing monitors
The room factor
Positioning monitors Meters
Peak meters
Average meters
Phase meters Mixing consoles
Processors vs. effects
Basic signal flow
Groups
In-line consoles
The monitor section
Solos
Correct gain structure
The digital console Software mixers
Tracks and mixer strips
Routing
The internal architecture Phase
What is phase?
Problems
Tricks Faders
Types
Scales
Working with faders Panning
How stereo works?
Pan controls
Types of tracks
Panning techniques
Beyond pan pots Equalizers
Applications
The frequency spectrum
Types and controls
In practice
Equalizing various instruments Introduction to dynamic range processors
Dynamic Range
Dynamics
Dynamic Range Processors in a nutshell Compressors
Principle of operation and core controls
Additional controls
Controls in practice
Applications
Tricks
More on compressors Limiters Gates
Controls
Applications
In practice
Tricks Expanders
Controls
In practice
Upward Expanders Duckers
Operation and controls
Applications Delays
Delay basics
Types
In practice
Applications Other modulation tools
Vibrato
ADT
Chorus
Flanging
Phasing
Tremolo Reverbs
Applications
Types
Reverb programs
Reverb properties and parameters
Reverbs and stereo
Other reverb types
Reverbs in practice Distortion
Distortion basics
Ways to generate distortion Drum Triggering
Methods of drum triggering Other tools
MS
Pitch shifters and harmonizers
Exciters and enhancers
Transient designers Automation
The automation process
Automation alternatives
Control surfaces

Part III: Sample Mixes

Hero (rock)
The Hustler (drum n' bass)
Temps (hip hop)
Donna Pomini (dance)

Appendices

Appendix 1: Notes and frequencies Appendix 2: Delay time chart

Interesting textbook: Human Cardiovascular Control or Preparing for Weight Loss Surgery

Final Cut Express HD for Mac OS X (Visual QuickStart Guide Series)

Author: Lisa Brenneis

It's the year of High Definition video, and Final Cut Express is ready with a brand-new HD version chockfull of advanced titling and soundtrack creation tools. Here to ensure that users start taking advantage of Final Cut Express HD's real-time HD editing capabilities immediately is a thoroughly updated task-based guide to the program from best-selling author and digital video expert Lisa Brenneis. Users who are eager to make effective, compelling videos but don't want to invest heavily in training or equipment will welcome Lisa's simple step-by-step instructions, strong visual approach, and sound professional advice. In short order, they'll find themselves editing video; applying special effects and transitions; mastering the program's compositing, titling, and audio tools; and outputting their finished work. Readers will also learn about all that's new in this major upgrade: LiveType for creating HD-quality animated text and graphics, Soundtrack for producing custom musical scores, direct timeline file placement from Motion, Digital Cinema Desktop, direct import of iMovie projects, and much more.