Reference Mix vs. Non-Reference Mix

There are 2 parts of the assignment, each part only needs 275 words (one page).

First part: REFERENCE MIXES VS NON-REFERENCE MIXES

We'll do some critical listening both as engineers and as music-lovers. You will be writing short report on your findings as you compare and contrast reference mixes vs non-reference mixes.

"Reference Mix" - Engineer Part of the assignment

Download and critically listen to a minimum of two (2) reference mixes mixes from this course folder. As you critically listen, keep detailed notes on the following: full-band frequency spectrum, great top and low-end frequency extension, a wide stereo spread, loud and quiet dynamics, punchy transient information, and a great mastering job (not over-compressed, which can result in audible distortion artifacts).

"Non-Reference Mix" - Music-lover part of the assignment

Download and critically listen to a minimum of two (2) non-reference mixes mixes from this course folder. As you critically listen, keep detailed notes on the following criteria (or lack thereof!): full-band frequency spectrum, a wide stereo spread, loud and quiet dynamics, punchy transient information, and a great mastering job (not over-compressed, which can result in audible distortion artifacts). Keep in mind that musical merit or commercial popularity are not the characteristics in questions but rather, if these mixes have the criteria needed in order to calibrate our hearing and assess any potential issues in our perception, the playback system and listening environment.

QUESTIONS

After carefully comparing the frequency spectrum of your two reference mixes vs your two non-reference mixes, what differences did you observe? Please be as detailed as possible and cite specific examples to support your claims (for example: the drum cymbals and vocals sibilance in the reference mix provided a rich and expansive high frequencies content (10kHz to 20kHz), while the non-reference mix, although it featured a very similar arrangement, felt muffled and dark due to the lack of frequency extension beyond 12kHz).

After carefully comparing the spatial width of your two reference mixes vs your two non-reference mixes, what differences did you observe? Please be as detailed as possible and cite specific examples to support your claims.

After carefully comparing the dynamic spectrum of your two reference mixes vs your two non-reference mixes, what differences did you observe? Please be as detailed as possible and cite specific examples to support your claims

What are your main takeaways from this exercise? How will these inform your recording, mixing and production work in the future?

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Second part:

In this assignment will be doing some comparative listening analysis, taking into account the Equal Loudness or Fletcher-Munson Curves phenomena.

Select two (2) of your "Reference Mixes" from assignment pt 1.

Prepare a quiet listening environment so you can analyze your reference mixes through speakers (and not headphones).

EXERCISE #1 (FIRST LISTEN)

With the listening volume set at a very quiet, barely audible setting, listen to both of your songs and analyze the following:

For each song, list which sounds in the arrangement are loudest in the mix. (Which instruments, sounds or vocals "pop out"?)

Take this list of loud items and describe the sound of each. Which are full bodied? Muffled? Thin? Sibilant? Please be thorough in your descriptions.

List the background sounds in the song (which should constitute the rest of the arrangement).

Using this list of background sounds, describe the sound of each. Again, be thorough in your descriptions.

EXERCISE #2 (SECOND LISTEN):

With the listening volume set to what you consider to be a moderately loud setting, listen to both of your songs again and analyze the following:

For each song, list which sounds in the arrangement are loudest in the mix.

Take this list of loud items and describe the sound of each.

List the background sounds in the song (which should constitute the rest of the arrangement). Listen deeply and see if there were any sounds that you missed from your first listen?

Using this list of background items, describe the sound of each. Again, be thorough in your descriptions.

EXERCISE #3 (THIRD LISTEN)

Keeping the listening volume at a moderately loud setting.

Go back and listen to your songs one more time. While listening, stay in the median plane and slowly raise and lower your head in relationship to the tweeter in your speakers by about a foot. Do you hear any change in your perception of the high frequencies (cymbals, vocal sibilance, etc.)? Do you hear any change in your perception of the lower frequencies (kick drum, bass guitar, etc.)? If so, what could be causing this?