Mix It!: Understanding and Controlling the Mix Process

Mix It! Understanding and Controlling the Mix Process is a comprehensive textbook designed to introduce the art of mixing music to beginners and novices. Starting with essential theory, this book explores aesthetics, the mix process, and associated tools, with a reader-friendly balance of theory, instruction, and practical application.

With chapters covering amplitude balance, equalisation, panning, compression, effects, editing, and an introduction to immersive audio, among others, and incorporating guided audio exercises with accompanying online content, this book seeks to empower readers with understanding and practical experience that will encourage exploration of individual creativity and artistry. The audio exercises provided throughout help to break down the mixing process and techniques into manageable pieces, so skills can be acquired and internalised before adding the next concept, to give novices a good foundational skill set and confidence when mixing.

Mix It! is an ideal textbook for school and college students new to mixing music, including those on music production and audio engineering courses, as well as novice to intermediate engineers looking to reinforce their knowledge and skills so they are ready to develop their creativity further. The skills acquired and processes explained in the book are also relevant to mixing any audio, not only music.

Ian Corbett, originally from the UK, is currently a Professor and Coordinator of Audio Engineering and Music Technology at Kansas City Kansas Community College, USA. He also owns and operates off-beat-open-hats LLC, which provides location recording and sound reinforcement to clients around the Kansas City area. Active in the Audio Engineering Society, he has held leadership positions including Regional Vice President and Co-Chair of the Education Committee. Previous publications include Mic It! Microphones, Microphone Techniques, and Their Impact on the Final Mix and articles for Sound on Sound and Live Sound International.