Audio Post-Production & Mixing Flashcards

Which mixing technique uses a single channel to carry both left and right signals equally, reducing stereo width?

Answer: Mono summing

Mono summing combines left and right channels into a single signal, eliminating stereo differences and reducing width. It is used to check mono compatibility of a mix.

In audio post-production, what does ADR stand for?

Answer: Automated Dialogue Replacement

ADR (Automated Dialogue Replacement) is the process of re-recording dialogue in a studio to replace production audio that is noisy, unintelligible, or poorly recorded on set.

What is the purpose of a de-esser in post-production mixing?

Answer: To reduce harsh sibilant sounds in vocal tracks

A de-esser is a frequency-selective compressor that targets the sibilance frequency range (typically 5–10 kHz) to reduce harsh 's' and 'sh' sounds in vocal recordings.

What mixing approach involves blending a heavily compressed signal with the original dry signal to retain transient detail?

Answer: Parallel compression

Parallel compression (also known as New York compression) mixes a compressed version of a signal with the uncompressed original, adding density and sustain while preserving the punch of natural transients.

In a 5.1 surround mix, which channel is specifically designated for low-frequency effects (LFE)?

Answer: .1 subwoofer channel

The '.1' in 5.1 refers to the dedicated LFE (Low Frequency Effects) channel, which carries bass-heavy sound effects and is routed to the subwoofer. It is band-limited to approximately 120 Hz.

What does 'mix buss compression' typically accomplish in a post-production session?

Answer: Glues elements of the mix together and controls overall dynamics

Mix buss (stereo buss) compression applies gentle gain reduction across the entire mix, helping blend individual elements into a cohesive sound and controlling peak dynamics before delivery to mastering.