Both the practical and written elements of this unit have been incredibly helpful in expanding my knowledge about the use and capabilities of many aspects of production and mixing. I am pleased with the progress between the mix of our track for the first set of modules and the mixes that I have produced for this group project and now feel much more comfortable in making informed decisions in both the recording and the mixing process. Exercises such as the one displayed in my second blog have been helpful in better understanding a piece of music through critical listening and through this better understanding what makes the mix work well. I have been practicing this technique with songs that I enjoy and this has improved my ear for production and further helped me to make informed mixing decisions.
Learning about reference tracks has been helpful in that it is now a tool that I use frequently. I found when mixing for the group project I would routinely take a break from mixing and listen to the current mix in between other songs of similar style while walking. This has on multiple occasions given me insight that had passed by me when sat at my DAW that I have been able to come back and implement into my mix. Some examples of these reference tracks were:
Learning the basics of mastering has allowed me to experiment with mastering chains and work out what sounds right to me. Through use of plugins such as multi-band compressors, limiters and additive and deductive EQs I have made a master that I am happy with for both of my mixes. Finding a line between loudness and dynamic range was something that I took into account after research on the loudness wars and I eventually decided to master my mixes slightly quieter to allow for this dynamic space.