Schwabe Digital
Turn listening preferences into better mix translation
Ryan Schwabe delves into the art of making mixes translate well across different playback systems by focusing on EQ and monitoring techniques. He emphasizes the importance of understanding the differences between studio and consumer playback systems, as well as personal listening preferences, to achieve better translation. To create a neutral studio playback environment, Schwabe suggests using tools like IK Media Arc, Trinoff, and Sonar Works for corrective EQ, alongside proper speaker placement and room treatment. This helps ensure that mixes are not skewed by the acoustics of the studio, allowing for more accurate mixing decisions. Schwabe also highlights the diversity of consumer playback systems, from bass-heavy club setups to bright laptop speakers, and stresses the need for well-balanced mixes that can hold up across various environments. He advises engineers to be aware of their own biases, such as a preference for deep bass, and to adjust their studio setups accordingly to counteract these tendencies. Practical steps include balancing the playback system, tuning it based on personal preferences, and using feedback from trusted clients to refine playback EQ. By controlling the studio environment and compensating for personal biases, engineers can create mixes that translate effectively, despite the unpredictability of consumer systems.