Balancing Vocals and Instruments using a PA System

Balancing Vocals and Instruments using a PA System

Learning Objective

At the end of the lesson, you will understand how to create a balanced mix between vocals and instruments using a PA system.

Introduce the lesson objective to the students and explain what they will learn.

Unit 108 - Task 4

What are some music production tools/functions/plugins that we can make use of to create balance in a mix?

Volume Control (Gain staging)

Adjust the volume of each instrument and vocal to ensure that they are balanced and clear.

During your evaluation you will be mixing 2 sounds (a vocal and an instrumental or backing track).

Which sound do you think you think should lead in the mix?

Demonstrate how to adjust the volume of each instrument and vocal to achieve a balanced mix.

Equalization

Equalisation is the process of adjusting the balance between different frequency components. Use EQ to balance the sound of each instrument and vocal.

Again, we need at ask ourselves which sound in our two track mix we are going to prioritise.

Explain to the students the importance of using EQ to balance the sound of each instrument and vocal.

Equalisation Process

Step 1 - Solo'ing both sounds and cleaning them individually  using reductive EQ.

Reductive EQ'ing = creating a spike and scanning across the frequency range to identify problem/muddy frequencies.

Step 2 - EQ'ing both sounds together to create balance.

Panning

Panning is the process of balancing the stereo image of the sound. Use panning to position each instrument and vocal in the stereo field.

Demonstrate how to use panning to position each instrument and vocal in the stereo field.

Compression

Compression is the process of reducing the dynamic range of a sound. Use compression to control the level of each instrument and vocal.

Again, this will require you to solo both sounds and zone into them individually. This way you can identify the loudest and quietest parts of the sound. Once you've identified the peaks and lows you can set a threshold and gain that will make the volume of the sound more consistent.

Explain to the students the importance of using compression to control the level of each instrument and vocal.

Reverb

Reverb is the process of adding a sense of space to a sound. Use reverb to add depth and dimension to the mix.

The reverb settings that you apply to your mix will depend on what sounds are included on your mix. I wouldn't recommend adding any additional reverb to a back track but if you are mixing a guitar or piano with your vocal, these will definitely need reverb.

Demonstrate how to use reverb to add depth and dimension to the mix.

Practice Exercise

I have emailed each of you some stem projects that you can practice on before using the sound-desk. Using one project of your choice create balance between the sounds using the below tools:

- Gain Staging

- Panning

- EQ 

- Compression

- Reverb

Provide the students with an opportunity to practice creating a balanced mix using the techniques they have learned.