What exactly does mixing and mastering include?

[GnR-NOW]

I'm sorry to start a new thread, but I dont want to read through 100000guess of what each one is supposed to do.  If anyone knows for sure, please share.

[creepingvines]

great stuff on wikipedia for this:

mixing: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_mixing
"to balance the relative volume, frequency and dynamical content of a number of sound sources"

mastering: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mastering
"process of preparing and transferring recorded audio to a medium that will be used in the production of copies"

[Randy Jesus]

Mixing has already started. It has been confirmed. Its not like they are starting next week.

[McGann]

My take on it is
That there are already songs
In final-mix form.

Frank's and Bumble's parts
Are simply one more detail
Added to some songs.

Adding to a mix
Is really very easy...
Put it on a track

Beneath the first mix
Set its placement and level
Then mix down again.

Taking something out
Is a little more involved
But not a big chore.

I think they're working
On the ultimate mixes
For just a few songs.

(That's speculation,
But it's the feel I get
Based on history.)

Splash

/Mike

[DizzyReed63]

Mixing is what it is. You get the right mix of everything and have things stand out that you want standing out.

Mastering: This is where overall levels are tweaked so that they fit the feel of the record. This keeps sounds from popping, mid levels from being burried and it creates one common level so that the volume and feel flows.

If you hear just a mix, you'll hear things separated.
When Mastered, it feels like everything is together.

For example, the latest Better is definitely a rough mix, because the sound jumps too much and the overall sound is mushy.
Mixes have that demo-like sound where it's a bit flat and not crisp.
Masters sound like the real deal.

[freedom78]

THanks for starting this thread, and for the info, as I, too, am somewhat in the dark about this stuff.  Now I need to find someone who doesn't know this, and make them feel stupid! 

[D]

The process should take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks depending on how many layers etc and depending on if the band and record label are happy with the final mix.

If not it will be re-mixed and the process will start over.

Once they get the mix they like, it would be mastered, the final mastered version will be listened to and if it is accepted, we will be ready to roll.


The fact the album is finished though is ENORMOUS NEWS!

[Bartlet]

THanks for starting this thread, and for the info, as I, too, am somewhat in the dark about this stuff.? Now I need to find someone who doesn't know this, and make them feel stupid!?

here here!

[Neemo]

The process should take anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks depending on how many layers etc and depending on if the band and record label are happy with the final mix.

so we can prolly guess about 5 weeks for this album

[wight gunner]

I think its fair to say that adding Frank and Ron to the tracks would mean the adjustments to previous laid recording is required. ?This said, that is great news not only do the fans get to hear BBF and Frank but it cements their status as band members. ?FWIW the album I think will get a release date within a month - so looking at a middle of May drop in my book.

[CheapJon]

THanks for starting this thread, and for the info, as I, too, am somewhat in the dark about this stuff.? Now I need to find someone who doesn't know this, and make them feel stupid!?

that made me giggle and yeah thank for this i've asked this myself in already existing threads but people have ignored it.

and yeah the mixing has already started and who knows they might have mixed the record for 2 weeks already (or one day)

[SterileEyes]

Mastering rarely takes more than a day.

Mixing, depending how far along they already are, could take weeks, months or years. The Use Your Illusions took many months or maybe even a year to mix. If I remember correctly the first release date was May '91 and it didn't come out until September of that year.

I'm assuming most of the mixing was done last year and they are just finalizing Ron and Frank's parts.

Hopefully they're just finalizing the parts that were just recorded, but even then, I still don't see the whole '8 week turnaround' period starting until at least April or May.

If they're truly just starting formal mixing right now, which I doubt, but if they are...'07 isn't happening.

[freedom78]

I'm assuming most of the mixing was done last year and they are just finalizing Ron and Frank's parts.

That's a big assumption, though I truly hope you're correct.

and yeah the mixing has already started and who knows they might have mixed the record for 2 weeks already (or one day)

I see two possibilities:

#1: Mixing started five minutes before the message was put up.  This would be in line with the GNR world worst case scenario, that always seems to occur.

#2: Mixing has been taking place for a considerable amount of time.  This would be in line with the idea that every time the fans "need to know" something, we get told a couple of months down the road.

For the first time, I'm actually rooting for #2! 

[MrBrOwNsToNeR]

the mixing phase is as long as the recording phase ...

i hope it started a long time ago.

[CAFC Nick]

Mastering rarely takes more than a day.

Mixing, depending how far along they already are, could take weeks, months or years. The Use Your Illusions took many months or maybe even a year to mix. If I remember correctly the first release date was May '91 and it didn't come out until September of that year.

I'm assuming most of the mixing was done last year and they are just finalizing Ron and Frank's parts.

Hopefully they're just finalizing the parts that were just recorded, but even then, I still don't see the whole '8 week turnaround' period starting until at least April or May.

If they're truly just starting formal mixing right now, which I doubt, but if they are...'07 isn't happening.

I think thats pretty cynical to rule out 2007 already.

[jak0lantern01]

It all includes excuses as to why the album STILL ISN'T OUT YET! Sorry, I had to say it.

[Jackamo!]

This isn't the 1st time the album was finished.

[Bodhi]

This isn't the 1st time the album was finished.

sure is....tell me the last time they said the album was finished......they never did

[Arcade Roses]

I enjoyed this thread last autumn fall... just read through it it tells you a lot:

http://www.heretodaygonetohell.com/board/index.php?topic=38291.0

[Ron Jones]

I do realize who we're talking about here, but all your estimations are way too long. Mixing, even for professional albums is usually one month max: even on complex albums. Mastering is usually a very short process (usually a week): once again even on complex albums. 

A.K.A. Late April or Early May

I also want to add that there are reports of Andy Wallace doing mixes way before which leads me to believe that they are just mixing down Frank and Bumble's parts. Andy said that everyone was "delighted with the mixes" sometime last year. Think about it.