CMP Mixing, Mastering and Sound Design 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary purpose of mid-side (M/S) processing in mastering?
- To increase overall loudness
- To independently process the center and sides of a stereo image (Correct answer)
- To remove DC offset from a signal
- To add harmonic saturation
Correct answer: To independently process the center and sides of a stereo image
M/S processing splits a stereo signal into mid (mono sum) and side (stereo difference) components, allowing independent EQ, compression, or widening of each.
Question 2: Which parameter on a compressor determines how quickly the gain reduction stops after the signal falls below the threshold?
- Attack
- Ratio
- Release (Correct answer)
- Knee
Correct answer: Release
The release time controls how fast the compressor stops reducing gain once the signal drops below the threshold.
Question 3: In sound design, what does 'FM synthesis' stand for?
- Full-spectrum Modulation
- Frequency Modulation (Correct answer)
- Filter Modulation
- Formant Mapping
Correct answer: Frequency Modulation
FM synthesis uses frequency modulation, where one oscillator (modulator) modulates the frequency of another (carrier) to create complex timbres.
Question 4: What is 'parallel compression' also commonly known as in mixing?
- Series compression
- New York compression (Correct answer)
- London compression
- Upward compression
Correct answer: New York compression
Parallel compression is often called New York compression, where a heavily compressed signal is blended with the original dry signal to add punch while preserving transients.
Question 5: What does the term 'LUFS' measure in audio mastering?
- Loudness Units relative to Full Scale (Correct answer)
- Low-frequency Unified Filter Setting
- Loudness Units for Streaming
- Linear Unified Frequency Spectrum
Correct answer: Loudness Units relative to Full Scale
LUFS (Loudness Units relative to Full Scale) is a standardized loudness measurement used in broadcast and streaming normalization.
Question 6: In a mix, what is a 'send' (or auxiliary send) used for?
- To route a track signal directly to the master bus
- To send a copy of a track's signal to an effects bus or return channel (Correct answer)
- To send MIDI data to a synthesizer
- To export a track to an external device
Correct answer: To send a copy of a track's signal to an effects bus or return channel
A send routes a portion of a track's signal to a shared effects bus (like reverb or delay), allowing multiple tracks to share one effect instance.
Question 7: Which type of EQ curve boosts or cuts a specific frequency while leaving surrounding frequencies unaffected with a very narrow bandwidth?
- Low-shelf filter
- High-pass filter
- Notch (band-reject) filter
- Bell (peaking) EQ with high Q (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Bell (peaking) EQ with high Q
A bell EQ with a very high Q value creates a narrow bandwidth boost or cut that precisely targets a specific frequency with minimal impact on surrounding frequencies.
CMP Mixing, Mastering and Sound Design 2
What is the primary purpose of mid-side (M/S) processing in mastering?