Record Your Students With Garage Band!
Part 3: Mixing and Mastering Your Recording
by Roger Whitney
Now that you have recorded your music, it is time to mix and master it. You may decide that
your original recording sounds good just the way you recorded it, but generally mixing and mastering
makes your original recording sound better.
First, you need to mix the track(s). This process involves adjusting the tracks so they are at the
right volume level.
Secondly, you need to master the track(s). Mastering is the editing process where adjusting the
equalization (tone) and adding effects (like reverb) enhances the quality of your recording.
Mixing The Track(s)
If you recorded many tracks, you will need to adjust them so they are at a level where all the
tracks, when played together, sound good. For instance your drummer may have been too loud. It is
very easy to turn down his track, by adjusting the track volume slider.
If you just recorded one track, then there is no mixing involved. Just adjust the track volume so
it is at a reasonable listening level by adjusting the track volume slider. If the VU meter occasionally
goes in the red, that's ok, but if it is frequently in the red, adjust the track volume to the left some.
See the "How to Mix and Adjust the Tracks" Skill Sheet (Fig. 1).
Mastering The Track(s)
Mastering is the art of enhancing the music so it has more depth, brilliance and clarity. There
are four features in Garage Band that you can use.
Reverb is a type of echoing effect which makes the music sound as if it is playing in a small
room or Carnegie Hall. I like to call it "room ambiance". Every room sounds different because of the
unique qualities of the items in it.
Eq or equalization is like the old tone control on old stereos. You can use the sliders to enhance
or decrease certain frequencies. For instance, you can boost the bass line, or diminish it.
Echo is a type of reverb, but a very slow type. I always use the example of Heidi in the Moun-
tains. Whatever is played is repeated a short time later but at a lower level until it fades. This novelty
effect can be used very effectively when a heavy beat is played. You can sync the echo with the beat
of the music.
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