Mixing with loops

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JJarvis
Posts: 220
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Mixing with loops

Post by JJarvis » Fri Oct 12, 2007 12:50 pm

I'm still new to mixing, however I do know that I am suppose to have all my individual sounds on separate channel strips. What do I do when I have an audio loop that features several drum parts on one channel strip? To be more clear how do I mix a loop with a kick snare and toms?
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ishnock
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Re: Mixing with loops

Post by ishnock » Fri Oct 12, 2007 1:07 pm

JJarvis wrote:I'm still new to mixing, however I do know that I am suppose to have all my individual sounds on separate channel strips. What do I do when I have an audio loop that features several drum parts on one channel strip? To be more clear how do I mix a loop with a kick snare and toms?

It does not matter, as long as it is on beat with everything else. When you are mixing on a 4/4 time signature, there is a down beat, then a upbeat, and people usually mix off of the 1st beat.

Hopefully, you know how to count bars, because if you do, it does not matter what type of sound you have for beats, you will always know where to start at.

So lets count the beats in one bar : 1st beat(kick), 2nd beat ( snare), 3rd beat(kick), 4th beat ( snare). ...always catch the 1st beat ( which is usually a kick or a tom...or whatever) in a bar to start your loops or mix


So when you set up your loops, catch the first beat in a bar, always.


To beat a great dj or mixer, you have to know how to count bars...there is no cheating on this.
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mdk
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Post by mdk » Fri Oct 12, 2007 2:00 pm

i think he means mixing as in adjusting levels, eq and all that other stuff, not beat matching.

as for the answer, there is no simple answer, you're not supposed to do anything, apart from enjoy yourself and make your ideas reality.


if you have a loop its probably been mixed already to some extent. not having the pieces separately limits what you can do in some ways, it also creates other possibilities.

of course you could slice the loop into pieces and then send particular slices to different audio channels and mix those, or you could use automation to change the settings as the loop plays.

it all depends on what you want to achieve.

once you have a clear idea of your goals then you can find various techniques to achieve them.

maybe you want more of a punch to the bass drum, or the toms are too bassy, or the snare doesnt cut through the mix..etc..etc..
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