COURSE OUTLINE

Class 1: Course Instructions and Basic Mix Setup

This class will provide a detailed instructional guide to the Private Mixing Course with some advanced concepts about sound and how people interpret it.

1. Course Overview and Instructions
2. Hearing, Your Brain, and the 3D Sound Field
3. The Hidden Dynamics of a Mix
4. Song Meaning, Production Style and Mix Approach
5. Gain Staging and Technical Analysis
6. Phase Alignment

Class 2: Levels, Panning & Establishing the Groove

This phase of the mixing process establishes everything that is foundational to a great mix. There are many hidden secrets and important decisions to be made at this stage that will establish your approach.

1. Levels and Front-Back Depth
2. Panning, Width and Spacial Separation
3. 4 Types of Tracks (Rhythmic, Melodic, Chordal, Environmental) 
4. 6 Functions of Tracks (Lead, Counter-Lead, Bed, Groove, Thread, Transitional)
5. Establishing Levels, Panning, and the Groove

Class 3: Subtractive Equalization

Subtractive Equalization is the most powerful way to focus instruments, enhance separation, and establish height in a mix.

1. Subtractive EQ and Sonic Clarity
2. Understanding Filters and Q
3. Subtractive EQ and Percussive Instruments
4. Subtractive EQ for Harmonic Instruments
5. Subtractive EQ for Melodic Instruments and Vocals

Class 4: Functional Compression and Dynamics

Functional Compression is used to help establish the front-back depth field, enhance rhythmic movement (groove), balance peak and RMS energy, and tonally balance poorly recorded tracks.

1. Functional Compression: Percussive, Harmonic and Melodic 
2. Establishing the Front-Back depth Field
3. Enhancing Rhythmic Movement
4. Peak-RMS Balancing
5. Tonal balancing With Compression

Class 5: Additive EQ and Sonic Focus

Additive EQ is used to provide sonic focus and clarity and helps to solidify the Front-Back Depth Field and Height Separation. Additive EQ can be applied pre or post compression.

1. Additive EQ and Sonic Clarity
2. Additive EQ for Percussive Instruments
3. Additive EQ for Harmonic Instruments
4. Additive EQ for Melodic Instruments
5. Additive EQ for Vocals

Class 6: Harmonic Processing

Vintage Dynamics and Equalization Processing adds harmonic enhancements that add depth, clarity and focus in a way no purely digital processor can. This class will focus on those differences and how to selectively decide where each vintage piece is most effective.

1. Vintage Components and Harmonic Enhancements
2. Vintage Equalizers
3. Vintage Compressors
4. Re-Amping and Distortion Processing
5. Analog Tape and Console Processing

Class 7: Early Reflections

Early Reflections are defined as the first reflections that arrive at the listener’s position in a space after the direct signal and define the size and shape of any acoustic space. In a mix they are a powerful way to clearly establish the front-back depth field and provide the ‘container’ for reverb and other effects processing.

1. The Many Types of Early Reflections
2. Early Reflections for Percussive Instruments
3. Early Reflections for Harmonic Instruments
4. Early Reflections for Vocals
5. Early Reflections Enhancements

Class 8: Reverb and Effects

Reverb and Effects are designed for the creative enhancement of a song. Effects can perform a technical function that is felt or a creative function that is heard. This class will focus on the technical and creative aspects of both.

1. Technical and Creative Effects Defined
2. Reverb and Effects for Percussive Instruments
3. Reverb and Effects for Harmonic Instruments
4. Reverb and Effects for Vocals
5. Enhancements for Reverb and Effects

Class 9: Parallel Processing

Parallel Processing is a powerful way to enhance density, imaging and add ‘hype’ to a mix. Parallel processing techniques allow for full wet/dry balance control and usually involve exaggerated compression, equalization and distortion processing techniques.

1. Types of Parallel Processing 
2. Parallel Processing for Drums
3. Parallel Processing for Harmonic Instruments
4. Parallel Processing for Vocals
5. Parallel Stem and Mix Buss Processing

Class 10: Automation – Weaving the Mix

Automation is the process of weaving all of the tracks into a well blended, finished mix. Well applied automation should guide the listener’s attention and carry their interest from beginning to end.

1. Automation Process Overview
2. Establishing the Shape of the Mix
3. Automating Transitions
4. Automating Primary and Secondary Elements
5. Automation for Vocals
6. Automating Effects
7. Mix Buss Automation

Class 11: Final Track, Mix Stem, and Mix Buss Processing

This class will focus on the final polishing elements of the mix including the use of tape emulations and vintage console summing plugins. Mix Stem and Mix Buss processing help to define the individual stem grouping with their effects and the final mix as a whole.

1. Final Mix Adjustments
2. Gain Staging for Stems and Mix
3. Vintage Console Summing
4. Mix Stem Processing
5. Mix Buss Processing

Class 12: Evaluations, Final Adjustments and Advice

This class will focus on final mix evaluations including how to deal with client feedback. We will discuss the best way to apply updates and prepare the final mix for mastering.

1. Final Mix Evaluations
2. Student Mix Evaluations (Yes Your Mix!)
3. Managing Mix Updates
4. Final Mix Adjustments
5. Printing The Final Mix