As part of my MFA in Recording Arts and Technologies received in May 2024 from Middle Tennessee State University, I developed a ten-exercise series to more effectively teach students how to mix in a university setting. The multitrack recordings I created as well as the instructions for these exercises are included below for all to use. It is important to note that these are cover songs from famous artists both new and old. These files are provided for educational purposes only. The provided materials should not be used for any commercial purpose without the express permission of the copyright holders. The multitrack .ZIP folders contain 48 kHZ 24 bit .WAV files for easy import into any digital audio workstation (Pro Tools, Logic, Live, etc.). Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions about these materials. I hope these exercises help you grow as a mixer!
Exercise 1 – Soundstage
Alejo Granados – “Rumba Chonta”
(note: This is the only exercise sourced from the fantastic Cambridge Music Technology Multitrack Library website. I recorded and produced all other exercises.)
Exercise 2 – EQ for Clarity
Exercise 3 – EQ for Weight
Johann Sebastian Bach – “Invention No. 13 in A Minor”
Exercise 4 – Individual Track Compression
Exercise 5 – Parallel Compression
Jerome Kern and Johnny Mercer – “I’m Old Fashioned”
Exercise 6 – Mix Bus Compression
Exercise 7 – Expansion
Exercise 8 – Time-Based Effects
The Weeknd – “Blinding Lights”
Exercise 9 – Drum Editing
Exercise 10 – Creative Effects
Recording & Drums 