Ch 12 Mix Theory - Posted on 2014-01-21 by Amanda Payne

Chapter 12 was, to me, half review and half preview. There were topics such as stereo image and balancing the levels and placement (panning), how to use your levels and panning techniques effectively, bouncing. and preparation which were all review prior to the midterm. The CD creating process, checklist for editing, and lots of new techniques were introduced but will be more focused on later such as automation and mastering. 

For the mix assignment, I had chosen the sample I wanted to use before I had watched the youtube video. Unfortunately, I chose the same one Doug did, however I have a much different approach towards the project than what I saw in the video. I read in the early early chapters that it is always good to do a little research on the band or artist I will be working with and get a feel for their style as well as the style or particular feel they are looking for. Since I chose Vivaldi's Gloria movement 7 which is part of the Mass (meaning sacred) I feel I could benefit from listening to other recordings of this movement and following the score with the dynamic markings and articulations. Unfortunately, I could only find a plain score with nothing more than the key and time signature and the notes. This, although minimal, will leave me room to do some research of the originals and mark into my copy of the score where these dynamics and climax points are throughout the piece.

Music for modern musicians have countless opinions on how they think a song or album should be edited, mixed and mastered. When you work with great historical pieces though such as this one, these songs were not originally created for entertainment or for audiences. This piece in it's entirety, would have been the second part of the Order of the Mass. The Order of the Mass begins with Kyrie, Gloria, Credo, Sanctus, and Agnus Dei. This means that, depending on your time frame and country, this whole sequence would be performed every week or possibly every day. These motets and lyrics with occasional familiar motifs, would be in a modern term "remixed" throughout time. The lyrics were the same however, they would either have a different rhythm or the same rhythm but with different notes. That is why you can youtube the "Gloria" and have hundreds and thousands of versions by all different composers throughout musical history. The lyrics will be the same but maybe shortened since the lyrics were viewed as the prayer which is the "Gloria" itself. 

This particular version was written in the Baroque era (began 1600 in Rome, Italy and spread throughout Europe). The Baroque era was known to be "fancy" and extremely ornate in both a musical and artistical aspect. Much different than the monophy of Gregorian Chants. 

I hope with this assignment and the continuence to be able to almost recreate the history that this movement holds and give those who have studied such topics for years a sense of origin rather than just getting practice for my class.