How To Get Your Mixer to Love You

When it comes to creating ambient soundscapes, layering is key.

But here's the thing: with every layer you add, you're also adding to the noise floor.

And let's face it, no one wants a noisy mess drowning out their carefully crafted audio.

That's where Pro Tools' Clip Effects come into play.

These bad boys are a game-changer in my workflow, allowing me to fine-tune specific sound elements and ensure that they're contributing to the overall soundscape without adding unnecessary noise.

Fine-Tuning with EQ

Let's talk birdsong. Say you're working on a scene set in the great outdoors, and you want to add some chirping birds to really set the mood.

Now, if you can find those super clean bird chirps sound effects, but it doesn’t sound embedded in your location.

So you resort to some nature recordings captured in the wild.

However, you notice that other undesirable noise like wind and hum making its way into the recording. But the bird calls sound so good! What do you do?

Screw it, you say, let’s put it in anyway. 

I’ve encountered sound editors providing me stacks and stacks of backgrounds layers to mix. However, when I press play, all I hear is the unpleasant cacophony of white noise. 😞

Though I’m sure your selection was gold, the dirt that came with it is cumbersome to dust off.

So how can we avoid this issue?

By applying generous low and high cuts, you can focus in on the frequencies where the birds are singing while filtering out any unwanted noise. This technique is especially crucial for wildlife sounds, where clarity is key.

But EQ isn't just for birds. You can use it to isolate specific elements within a sound, like that comforting hum of machinery in the background.

Simply tame the high-end hissiness of the air, and voila!

You've got yourself a cleaner, more focused sound.

The Power of Subtractive EQ

Now, here's where things get really interesting.

Ever heard of subtractive EQ with a comb filter twist? It's a mouthful, I know, but trust me, it's worth it.

Imagine you've got multiple layers of room tone or ambience.

With subtractive EQ, you can make one layer poke out at certain frequencies while simultaneously subtracting those frequencies from another layer.

It's like painting with sound, creating depth and dimension in your audio landscape.

And the best part? It's all non-destructive, meaning your mixer can further tweak the mix as needed without losing any of that hard work you put in.

Making Your Mixer's Life Easier

Here's the bottom line: as an editor, your job isn't just about cutting and pasting audio clips. It's about creating a seamless auditory experience that enhances the storytelling process.

By using Clip Effects to tailor your mix, you're not only saving time for your mixer (trust me, they'll thank you for it), but you're also setting yourself up for repeat business.

After all, who wouldn't want to work with someone who makes their life easier?

So there you have it. With a little bit of finesse and a whole lot of Clip EQ magic, you can take your background editing skills to the next level and make your mixer love you even more.

Happy editing! 💙

P.S. if you want to hear these editing principle in action, shadow my YesterYear series at Post Audio Pro!