monitors down during mixdown accomplishes a few important things :
• It takes the room virtually out of play . The decreased acoustic energy dissipates rapidly — the quieter it is , the quicker it dissipates , so there ’ s less chance of noticeable standing waves .
• It is much easier on your ears . Over the years , loud music takes a toll on your ears . Save them while you can .
• It increases the potential length of your workday . You can literally mix nonstop for days at low volume levels with no ear fatigue or damage .
• It ensures that when you play your music
for the big record executive and he or she puts it in his office system and plays it way too softly to get the full impact , it still sounds good .
• It makes it bearable when you show your music off to your parents and other family and friends — they rarely understand the joy of feeling the music .
WHY BOTHER WITH ALL OF THIS ? Shaping the acoustics in the room helps facilitate the most appropriate presentation of that sound to the listener . Given the choice between a bad sounding sound system and a bad sounding room , run ! They ’ re both important ! Too many organizations spend a lot of money on a huge sound system and a clean installation , but spend nothing on acoustical treatment . That ’ s an inefficient plan . Provide an environment that has acoustical integrity and install a system capable of providing the sound you want .
Bill Gibson Teacher at Berklee College of Music Online , content creator for LinkedIn Learning , and author of more than forty books and videos about live sound and studio recording . Most recent book releases : The Ultimate Live Sound Operator ’ s Handbook , 3rd Edition , and The First 50 Recording Techniques You Should Know to Track Music . He also recently self-published an eBook / Audiobook combo called Stream Great-Sounding Audio : Guide for Streaming Church Services and Other Events .
BillGibsonCourses . com
Tube Traps : Tools like these compensate for all kinds of acoustic problems . Even in a controlled studio , these devices help shape the ambient intimacy of virtually any vocal or instrumental recording . Surround the microphone in a tight pattern for a more intimate sound . For a more open , yet controlled , live sound , simply move the Studio Traps out away from the mic until the desired effect is achieved .