Audio Editing vs. Audio Mixing

As audio technology continues to evolve, it can be challenging to keep up with the jargon and buzzwords. If you've ever found yourself confused about the difference between audio editing and audio mixing, you're not alone. While these two terms are often used interchangeably, they refer to distinct processes in the creation of recorded sound.

Audio Editing: The Art of Precision

Audio editing is the process of manipulating and refining recorded sound in precise and targeted ways. It involves things like splicing together multiple takes of a performance, removing unwanted noise or mistakes, adjusting the timing and pitch of individual notes, and creating seamless transitions between different sections of a recording.

The primary goal of audio editing is to produce a cohesive and polished final product. This requires a keen ear and an eye for detail, as even the slightest imperfection can be noticeable on playback. While editing can be time-consuming and tedious, it's a necessary part of the recording process that can elevate the quality of a sound recording by leaps and bounds.

Audio Mixing: The Art of Balance

Audio mixing, on the other hand, is the process of combining individual tracks or elements of a recording into a cohesive whole. This involves adjusting levels, panning, EQ, and effects to create a pleasing balance of sound across multiple channels.

The primary goal of mixing is to create an immersive listening experience that highlights the strengths of each element while minimizing any weaknesses. This requires both technical expertise and a creative approach, as there are countless ways to approach the mixing process.

Key Differences

While both audio editing and mixing are essential parts of the sound recording process, there are several key differences to keep in mind.

• Editing is linear, mixing is nonlinear: Editing is a step-by-step process that often occurs in a specific order, while mixing is a more fluid and intuitive process that can occur in any order as the mixer sees fit.

• Editing focuses on individual tracks, mixing focuses on the whole mix: Editing involves precise adjustments to individual tracks or elements, while mixing involves considering the broader sonic landscape and making decisions that affect the overall balance of the mix.

• Editing is a corrective process, mixing is a creative process: Editing is often focused on fixing perceived flaws or mistakes in a recording, while mixing is an opportunity to optimize the sound for the listener's enjoyment.

Common Misconceptions

As we mentioned earlier, audio editing and mixing are often conflated and misunderstood. Here are a few common misconceptions that we'd like to clear up:

• Editing can't fix everything: While it's certainly possible to do some remarkable things in editing, there are limits to what can be accomplished with post-production alone. It's always best to strive for a high-quality recording from the get-go.

• Mixing can't create something out of nothing: If the individual tracks or elements of a recording aren't well-recorded to begin with, there's only so much mixing can do to salvage the situation. Mixing should always be viewed as a complement to, rather than a replacement for, high-quality recording techniques.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, audio editing and audio mixing are two separate but equally important stages of the audio recording process. While they share some similarities, such as the need for a trained ear and attention to detail, they have distinct goals and require different skill sets. By understanding these differences and dispelling common misconceptions, you can approach your next audio project with confidence and clarity.

References

1. Friesen, L. (2018). Audio Editing vs Audio Mixing: What’s the Difference?. Retrieved from https://www.voices.com/blog/audio-editing-vs-audio-mixing-differences/

2. Mixdown Online. (2018, August 28). The difference between audio editing and mixing [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3qXFqT1imWs