Pro Tools Mixing
Visionary Music Group’s Pro Tools mixing setup is a hybrid digital & analog mixing system. All automation, digital EQ, compression and effects are performed digitally in our in Pro Tools HD7 mixing (7 Accel cards) system. Each track has a separate Pro Tools output routed through our high-end Lynx Aurora converters, clocked by the renowned Antelope OCX-V word clock. These individual outputs are routed into 32 channels of the SPL Mix Dream summing mixer with Lundahl transformers, giving the artist a combination Pro Tools mixing & analog mixing system.
This Neve/SSL - like sound is then mixed (or summed) analog in the SPL MixDreams and bounced back into Pro Tools.
Our collection of analog, tube and vintage processors are always patched in ready to treat any signal on inserts. This system works like having analog outboard and console with instant recall and a seasoned mix engineer & an online mixing studio at your disposal. For a complete list of our gear:
http://www.visionarymusicgroup.com/equipment.html
There are some FAQs to consider prior to mixing:
How long does a mix take?
Depending on the project, mixing times can range from two hours to ten hours per song.
What determines how long a mix takes?
Various factors can determine the time of a mix:
The number of tracks
The density of the arrangement
The quality of the recorded tracks
(they may require some pre EQing and compression prior to the actual "mix")
If there is any submixing required
What isn’t mixing?
Mixing is a specific set of tasks that is less defined in the digital age. With the advent of home recording DAWs (Pro Tools etc) in many cases recording projects are not sent the to the mix engineer in a "mix ready" state. New or inexperienced artists don’t realize what isn’t mixing.
The tasks that are not mixing are:
Tuning vocals or any pitch correction
Fixing the time and /or feel of any track (time correction)
Editing of any kind
Cleaning clicks, pops, noises and dead space in tracks
Printing your efx & plug ins
"Audio Maid" services (see below)
What should be done before I send the tracks?
Most songs recorded in home studios, or pro rooms while working on a budget, require cleaning. Cleaning involves checking each track individually (solo) for clicks and pops, musical considerations and then adding cross fades.
Ends of audio regions require trimming and fades.
All tracks with open noise or blank space should be erased.
A one-measure click (four quarter notes) should be printed on every track in the event of a timing error so all the track can be lined up correctly.
Clean tracks should be consolidated into one continuous file starting at bar one, beat one or start time of 1:00:00:00
All essential (i.e. special effect) plug-ins should be printed to another track.
Rename all audio files appropriately (Drums, Bass, E Gtr 1, BVGs, L Vox etc).
Please do not send files named "audio 1, audio 2" etc.
Pro Tools sessions are welcomed. All audio files should be treated as above.
Any submixed tracks (gtrs, background vocals etc) should be included. If in Pro Tools left inactive.
Include Bpm-tempo information.
A rough mix is essential for a general idea of the direction of the song and indication of the direction of the completed mix. This is essential.
This cleaning can take up to three hours per song depending on the arrangement. "Audio Maid" services are essential - but NOT MIXING.
For artists that are not comfortable with these tasks, we can perform them for an additional hourly fee.
What happens after I send my clean tracks to you?
Analog Warming & Premixing
Most tracks have been recorded digitally and may need some sonic warming up in the pre mixing stage. This stage involves treating each track with our high end analog, tube vintage gear and plug ins. This step begins to raise the bar to a professional level. After the premix stage is completed the mixer’s job actually begins.
What type of files do I get from you and how do I get them?
Clients will receive an 88.2 24bit .wav file. Each client receives a link to download their file from our FTP site or if they prefer CD via USPS. MP3s will be sent via email for audition and mix tweaks.
What are the costs?
We offer different mix services for various budgets:
$475 per song
This includes all analog warming & pre mixing, access to all analog gear and summing mixers, our killer Pro Tools rig and large collection of great plug – ins.
In many cases a day to day & a half mixing.
Client allowed 2 sets of revisions (3 hrs total)
$425 per song
This includes access to all analog gear and summing mixers & our killer Pro Tools rig and large collection of great plug – ins. No analog warming or pre-mixing. A full day mix
Client allowed 2 sets of revisions (2 hrs total)
$375 per song
A completely in the box mix, which includes access to all our great plug ins. No analog warming or pre-mixing, no analog gear and summing
Client allowed 1 set of revisions (1.5 hr total)
$325 per song
Our “speed mix “package. A four hour mix, time limited, using whatever tools and skills we have to get the mix up quickly. Usually for demos or temporary web postings.
Client allowed 1 set of revisions (1 hr total)
If a client chooses to make mix revisions exceeding the limits in each package, these adjustments can be made and billed on an hourly rate of $ 75 per hour.
Any track cleanup or “ audio maid “ services can be made and billed on an hourly rate of $75 per hour.
The above listed rates are based upon a maximum voice count of
60 voices (60 mono tracks, 30 stereo tracks)
We are musicians who specialize in working with artists,
we’ll do our best to work out a package to suit your mixing budget.
How do we work "long distance"?
Contact us for a mixing date: tomvisionarymusicgroup.com
Upload your files to our server or mail a CD / DVD
Pay a 50% deposit via paypal to: tomvisionarymusicgroup.com
We perform the mix, then email you an mp3 of the mixed track
We can discuss your mix tweaks via email or phone
We perform your mix tweaks then email an mp3 of the mix tweaks
Upon your approval we will prepare the high resolution 24Bit / 88.2Khz When we receive the balance of payment via paypal
We’ll send you a link to download the various mixes(Main Mix/TV Mix/Instrumental Mix) for mastering
Visionary Music Group’s Pro Tools mixing setup is a hybrid digital & analog mixing system. All automation, digital EQ, compression and effects are performed digitally in our in Pro Tools HD7 mixing (7 Accel cards) system. Each track has a separate Pro Tools output routed through our high-end Lynx Aurora converters, clocked by the renowned Antelope OCX-V word clock. These individual outputs are routed into 32 channels of the SPL Mix Dream summing mixer with Lundahl transformers, giving the artist a combination Pro Tools mixing & analog mixing system.
This Neve/SSL - like sound is then mixed (or summed) analog in the SPL MixDreams and bounced back into Pro Tools.
Our collection of analog, tube and vintage processors are always patched in ready to treat any signal on inserts. This system works like having analog outboard and console with instant recall and a seasoned mix engineer & an online mixing studio at your disposal. For a complete list of our gear:
http://www.visionarymusicgroup.com/equipment.html
Pro Tools mixing & analog mixing with a seasoned mix engineer, offering an online mixing studio. A complete Pro Tools mixing & analog mixing system at Visionary Music Group.
