Mixing Audio, 2nd Edition

6	Mixing domains andobjectives

There are two main approaches involved with mixing: macromixing and micromixing. Macromixing is concerned with the overall mix; for example, its frequency balance. Micromixing is concerned with the individual treatment of each instrument; for instance, how natural the vocals sound. When we judge a mix, we evaluate both macromixing and micromixing. When macromixing, there is generally a set of areas and objectives that should be considered. These will also affect micromixing.

The process of mixing can be divided into five main domains or core aspects: time, frequency, level, stereo and depth. Two of these aspects – stereo and depth – together form a higher domain – space. We often talk about the mix as if ...