Music & Audio Advice Mixing and Mastering Fundamentals 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What does a high-pass filter do when applied to a track?
- Removes low frequencies below the cutoff (Correct answer)
- Removes high frequencies above the cutoff
- Boosts all frequencies equally
- Adds reverb to the signal
Correct answer: Removes low frequencies below the cutoff
A high-pass filter attenuates frequencies below its cutoff point, letting higher frequencies pass.
Question 2: What is the purpose of a de-esser in mixing?
- To reduce harsh sibilant 's' and 't' sounds in vocals (Correct answer)
- To add brightness to dull vocals
- To remove low-end rumble
- To widen the stereo image
Correct answer: To reduce harsh sibilant 's' and 't' sounds in vocals
A de-esser is a frequency-specific compressor that tames excessive sibilance in vocal recordings.
Question 3: Which compressor parameter sets how quickly gain reduction is applied after the signal exceeds the threshold?
- Attack (Correct answer)
- Release
- Ratio
- Knee
Correct answer: Attack
The attack time determines how fast the compressor responds once the signal crosses the threshold.
Question 4: What is gain staging in a mix?
- Managing signal levels at each stage to avoid noise and clipping (Correct answer)
- Adding stages of reverb to vocals
- Splitting a track into multiple buses
- Automating volume rides on the master
Correct answer: Managing signal levels at each stage to avoid noise and clipping
Gain staging keeps levels healthy through the signal chain to preserve headroom and avoid distortion.
Question 5: What does panning control in a stereo mix?
- The left-right placement of a sound (Correct answer)
- The loudness of a sound
- The frequency content of a sound
- The amount of reverb on a sound
Correct answer: The left-right placement of a sound
Panning positions a sound across the stereo field between the left and right speakers.
Question 6: Why is it common to mix at moderate listening volumes?
- The ear's frequency response is flatter and fatigue is reduced (Correct answer)
- Quiet volumes reveal more bass
- Loud volumes prevent ear fatigue
- It makes the mix sound louder when exported
Correct answer: The ear's frequency response is flatter and fatigue is reduced
At moderate levels the Fletcher-Munson effect is minimized and your ears stay accurate longer.
Question 7: What is the typical purpose of a reference track during mixing?
- To compare tonal balance and loudness against a professional mix (Correct answer)
- To copy the exact melody
- To set the project's tempo
- To replace your own recording
Correct answer: To compare tonal balance and loudness against a professional mix
A reference track gives an objective benchmark for balance, width, and loudness in the same genre.
Music & Audio Advice Mixing and Mastering Fundamentals 2
What does a high-pass filter do when applied to a track?