Diploma in Sound Engineering
Module: Sound Mixing
Module Code: SM 310
STUDY GUIDE
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
A WORD OF WELCOME .................................................................................................. 1
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE .......................................................................................... 1
MODULE OUTCOMES ..................................................................................................... 1
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK .............................................................................................. 1
STUDY UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION WITH STUDENTS AND REVISION ............................ 2
STUDY UNIT 2 :NEARFIELD MONITORING.................................................................... 3
STUDY UNIT 3: SUPPLEMENTARY MONITORING, LOW END DAMAGE LIMITATION 5
STUDY UNIT : FROM SUBJECTIVE IMPRESSIONS TO OBJECTIVE RESULTS .......... 7
STUDY UNIT 5: MIX PREPARATION ............................................................................. 10
STUDY UNIT 6: BALANCE ............................................................................................ 14
STUDY UNIT 7: PROCESSING – TIME-DOMAIN BALANCING .................................... 15
STUDY UNIT 8: PROCESSING – FREQUENCY-DOMAIN BALANCING ...................... 16
STUDY UNIT 9: MULTIBAND PROCESSING AND APPLICATION ............................... 17
STUDY UNIT 10: REVERB, DELAYS AND ENHANCING YOUR STEREO MIX ............ 19
STUDY UNIT 11: BUSS COMPRESSION, AUTOMATION AND ENDGAME ................. 20
STUDY UNIT 12: MIX TIPS AND OBSERVATION ......................................................... 21
STUDY UNIT 13: FORENSIC AUDIO ............................................................................. 23
STUDY UNIT 14 : MASTERING...................................................................................... 24
STUDY UNIT 15: PRACTICAL - MASTERING ............................................................... 26
STUDY UNIT 16: PRACTICAL – SURROUND SOUND ................................................. 27
Damelin©: 2017
In terms of the Copyright Act, no 98 of 1978, no part of this study guide may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any other information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing from Damelin.
All rights reserved
, A WORD OF WELCOME
Welcome to the Sound Mixing Module. This module is pitched at NQF level 5, and carries 15
credits.
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE
The objectives of this course are to prepare students in the areas of mastering and final mixing.
On completion of this course, students will be able to perform mastering and final mix delivery
on stereo, surround sound and DVD.
MODULE OUTCOMES
Display and understanding of Nearfield Monitoring
Display and understanding of Supplementary Monitoring
Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between Subjectively and Objectively Referencing a
mix
Display an understanding of Mix Stems
Display an understanding of Mix Preparation and Groundwork
Display an understanding of Time-domain Balancing
Display an understanding of Frequency-domain Balancing
Demonstrate the Ability to Apply Multiband Processing
Display an understanding of Stereo Enhancement
Display an understanding of Bussing and Automation
Display an understanding of Creative Mixing
Display an understanding of Forensic Audio
Display an understanding of Mastering
Demonstrate the Ability to Apply Mastering Processing
Display an understanding of Surround Sound Bussing and Stems
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK
Textbook Author Year Publisher ISBN
Mixing Secrets in
Senior, M. 2011 Focal Press 9780240815800
the Small Studio
Study Guide 2017 Page 1 of 30 Damelin ©
Module: Sound Mixing
Module Code: SM 310
STUDY GUIDE
, TABLE OF CONTENTS
A WORD OF WELCOME .................................................................................................. 1
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE .......................................................................................... 1
MODULE OUTCOMES ..................................................................................................... 1
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK .............................................................................................. 1
STUDY UNIT 1: INTRODUCTION WITH STUDENTS AND REVISION ............................ 2
STUDY UNIT 2 :NEARFIELD MONITORING.................................................................... 3
STUDY UNIT 3: SUPPLEMENTARY MONITORING, LOW END DAMAGE LIMITATION 5
STUDY UNIT : FROM SUBJECTIVE IMPRESSIONS TO OBJECTIVE RESULTS .......... 7
STUDY UNIT 5: MIX PREPARATION ............................................................................. 10
STUDY UNIT 6: BALANCE ............................................................................................ 14
STUDY UNIT 7: PROCESSING – TIME-DOMAIN BALANCING .................................... 15
STUDY UNIT 8: PROCESSING – FREQUENCY-DOMAIN BALANCING ...................... 16
STUDY UNIT 9: MULTIBAND PROCESSING AND APPLICATION ............................... 17
STUDY UNIT 10: REVERB, DELAYS AND ENHANCING YOUR STEREO MIX ............ 19
STUDY UNIT 11: BUSS COMPRESSION, AUTOMATION AND ENDGAME ................. 20
STUDY UNIT 12: MIX TIPS AND OBSERVATION ......................................................... 21
STUDY UNIT 13: FORENSIC AUDIO ............................................................................. 23
STUDY UNIT 14 : MASTERING...................................................................................... 24
STUDY UNIT 15: PRACTICAL - MASTERING ............................................................... 26
STUDY UNIT 16: PRACTICAL – SURROUND SOUND ................................................. 27
Damelin©: 2017
In terms of the Copyright Act, no 98 of 1978, no part of this study guide may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any
means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any other information storage and retrieval system
without permission in writing from Damelin.
All rights reserved
, A WORD OF WELCOME
Welcome to the Sound Mixing Module. This module is pitched at NQF level 5, and carries 15
credits.
PURPOSE OF THE MODULE
The objectives of this course are to prepare students in the areas of mastering and final mixing.
On completion of this course, students will be able to perform mastering and final mix delivery
on stereo, surround sound and DVD.
MODULE OUTCOMES
Display and understanding of Nearfield Monitoring
Display and understanding of Supplementary Monitoring
Demonstrate the ability to distinguish between Subjectively and Objectively Referencing a
mix
Display an understanding of Mix Stems
Display an understanding of Mix Preparation and Groundwork
Display an understanding of Time-domain Balancing
Display an understanding of Frequency-domain Balancing
Demonstrate the Ability to Apply Multiband Processing
Display an understanding of Stereo Enhancement
Display an understanding of Bussing and Automation
Display an understanding of Creative Mixing
Display an understanding of Forensic Audio
Display an understanding of Mastering
Demonstrate the Ability to Apply Mastering Processing
Display an understanding of Surround Sound Bussing and Stems
PRESCRIBED TEXTBOOK
Textbook Author Year Publisher ISBN
Mixing Secrets in
Senior, M. 2011 Focal Press 9780240815800
the Small Studio
Study Guide 2017 Page 1 of 30 Damelin ©