I'm wondering if someone could explain what serial compression and parallel compression is, and the advantages of each and when one would be used vs the other. Serial compression is when the compressor is inserted in the signal chain and you use 100% of the processed/compressed signal. Parallel compression is when you set up a […]

I greatly appreciate this site. It is such a treat to be able to speak to experienced and knowledgeable mixers. Question: I know technology in the recording field has come far in the last 40 years, but compressors were around in the 60's yet you do not hear the "punch" on those records like you […]

Question: I have a 2 channel BBE Sonic Maximizer (the rack mounted version). Theoretically, it claims to "realign the frequency or frequencies" that get "bent out of shape" when being reproduced out of a speaker. When recording with a DAW, is there any reason to use it? Can it improve the formation of a digital […]

This is my first post on this forum. Somehow I lost my original post after I previewed it. I read the article "3D and the Art of Mixing," I think it was called, where it discussed fitting frequencies together to keep mixes from getting messy, heavy, conflicting, etc.... My question: if two instruments both have […]

Dr. Doctor: How do you recommend blending a guitar solo into a song?  It's tricky (for me anyway) becuase if you have other guitars they are basically taking up the same EQ space.  I don't want to make it too loud or overly compressed.  Any trick/tips? I just do whatever sounds good for that particular […]

Hi Steve, I was watching some free samples of a mix training DVD, where the guy mentioned he always puts McDSP AC-1 on the mix bus and does his entire mix through it to add subtle distortion to make it sound like a record.  Is this something that you do and would recommend as well? […]

In a previous post to me you wrote: If I use a high-pass filter it will be set to very low frequencies (10 or 20Hz at most) just to remove any possible DC offset and really low sub rumble that I don't want.  I use Izotope's OZONE and it has the option of using the […]

When you are mixing, do you use a low cut filter on the final mix and if so where? For example, on a mix will you set the low cut at 50Hz, or even higher?  If so, then how do you make the bass low end audible? Also, how do bands like The Roots get […]

When I am bouncing a track down in order to, for example, free up CPU power, should one turn off the EQ and compression on the stereo output buss so I'm not getting double compression and EQ when I then have the bounced stereo track? So, for example, I'm bouncing a drum track down to […]

I was recently watching the Steinberg Internal Mixing DVD and, as a result, I have a question. One of they points they make on the DVD is that, when one is sending pop and rock music off for mastering, the output of the mix at the loudest part should be no more than -14dB. So […]