Sound Bible: Speak the Language of Sound
Master the art of audio terminology and streamline your creative process
What You'll Learn:
Critical Listening
Develop your ear and identify subtle nuances in sound
Audio Terminology
Master the language of frequencies, dynamics, and spatial effects
Effective Feedback
Learn techniques to communicate your vision clearly
Introduction
As an artist, effectively communicating your vision to producers and mixing engineers is crucial. This framework will help you develop critical listening skills and master audio terminology, enabling you to express your ideas clearly and achieve the sound you desire. By bridging the communication gap, you'll streamline your creative process and ensure your artistic vision is fully realized in the final product.
Critical Listening
Critical listening is the foundation of effective communication in audio. By training your ear, you'll be able to identify and articulate subtle nuances in sound, making your feedback more precise and valuable.
Developing Your Ear:
- When listening to a song, try to focus on individual elements in the mix (e.g., drums, bass, vocals) and how they influence the overall track
- Reference tracks: Listen to songs with sounds you like, and identify what makes them sound engaging
- A/B comparisons: Toggle between two different songs or versions of a mix to identify differences more easily
Quick Tip: Start a list of reference tracks with a links songs and notes about what you like about them
Exercise
- Listen to your favorite track. Identify three specific elements you like and describe them using audio terms.
- Compare the same song on different playback systems (headphones, car stereo, home speakers). Note the differences in how it sounds on each system.
Frequency-Related Terms
Understanding frequency related terms can help you pinpoint issues and desired changes:
Bright
Enhanced high frequencies (4kHz-20kHz)
Example: Shimmering cymbals, crisp vocals
Dark
Reduced high frequencies
Example: Muffled or veiled sound
Thin
Lack of low frequencies (below 250Hz)
Example: Tinny-sounding speakers, lack of foundation
Boomy
Excessive low frequencies (60Hz-120Hz)
Example: Overpowering bass, lack of tightness
Muddy
Excessive low-mids (100Hz-300Hz)
Example: Unclear bass, lack of definition
Harsh
Excessive upper-mids (2kHz-6kHz)
Example: Fatiguing to listen to, piercing
Boxy
Excessive mid-range (250Hz-2kHz)
Example: Vocals recorded in small, untreated rooms
Warm
Slight boost in low-mids (250Hz-2kHz)
Example: Vintage-style recordings, tube amp sound
Sibilant
Excessive high frequencies in 's' and 't' sounds
Example: Overly pronounced 'ess' sounds in vocals
Full
Well-balanced across frequency spectrum
Example: Professional mixes with depth and clarity
Quick Tip: When describing frequency issues, try to identify where in the spectrum the problem lies (low, mid, high).
Frequency Chart
The chart below will help you visualise and listen to the frequency spectrum. You can choose solo to hear the selected range on its own, or highlight to hear it in context.
1. Click play on an audio example
2. Select a frequency range in the chart below
3. Toggle between frequency ranges and solo/highlight options
Audio Example 1
Audio Example 2
Make sure to listen on headphones or good quality speakers
Dynamic-Related Terms
Understanding dynamics helps communicate the energy and impact of your sound. These terms usually refer to use of compression and the way in which a part is played.
Audio examples of these terms are demonstrated on samples of drum and keyboard recordings:
Open
Wide dynamic range
Example: Acoustic recordings, dynamic performances
Compressed
Reduced dynamic range
Example: Modern pop vocals, radio-ready mixes
Squashed
Over-compressed, lacking dynamics
Example: Loudness war casualties, fatiguing mixes
Pumping
Audible compression artifacts
Example: Background elements ducking when the kick hits
Punchy
Strong attack, quick decay
Example: Tight kick drum, snappy snare
Sustained
Long, consistent sound
Example: Pad synths, held piano notes
Soft
Gentle, understated dynamics
Example: Whispered vocals, brushed drums
Explosive
Sudden, impactful dynamics
Example: Drums in rock music, EDM drops
Spatial and Texture Terms
Spatial Terms
These terms refer to the percieved position of an element in the audo field. This is usually achieved by the use of panning and reverb.
Audio examples of these terms are demonstrated on different recordings of acoustic guitars:
Wide
Spread across stereo field
Example: Stereo-panned guitars
Narrow
Concentrated in center
Example: Mono recording of a vocal
Deep
Sense of front-to-back dimension
Example: Layered synth pads
Shallow
Lack of front-to-back dimension
Example: Heavily compressed mix
Intimate
Close and personal feeling
Example: Close-miked acoustic guitar
Distant
Far away or removed feeling
Example: Reverb-heavy background vocals
Texture Terms
Different audio textures are usually achieved by using saturation and distortion. Distortion can be a great way to add impact and excitement if used correctly.
Clean
Absence of distortion or noise
Example: Jazz piano recording
Crunchy
Mild distortion or breakup
Example: Overdriven bass guitar
Raw
Unprocessed or minimally processed
Example: Live drum recording
Polished
Highly refined and processed
Example: Modern pop production
Smooth
Even, consistent sound
Example: Well-polished pop vocal
Gritty
Intentionally distorted or lo-fi
Example: Lo-fi hip hop beat
Quick Tip: Combine spatial and texture terms for more precise descriptions. For example: "I want the guitars to sound wide and gritty, but the vocals should be intimate and smooth."
Audio examples of saturation
Different levels of saturation applied to a piano arpeggio
Clean
Crunchy
Gritty
Effective Feedback Techniques
- Be specific: "The vocals sound too dark" instead of "I don't like the vocals"
- Use references: "I'd like the snare to cut through like in [specific song]"
- Prioritize changes: List your feedback from most to least important
- Avoid vague terms: "Make it sound better" doesn't provide actionable feedback
- Describe the emotion: "The chorus should feel more triumphant"
- Provide context: "In the verse, the guitar overpowers the vocals"
- Suggest solutions, but be open to alternatives: "Perhaps we could try a different reverb?"
- Focus on the big picture first, then details: Start with overall balance before diving into specific effects
Collaborative Problem-Solving
- Ask open-ended questions: "What options do we have to make the chorus more impactful?"
- Explore alternatives: "If we can't get that exact sound, what else could work?"
- Find common ground: Agree on the overall vision before diving into details
- Be open to suggestions: Your producer/engineer may have ideas you haven't considered
- Use the "yes, and" approach: Build on ideas rather than shutting them down
- Take breaks: Fresh ears can provide new perspectives
- Document decisions: Keep notes on what works and what doesn't for future reference
Remember: Clear communication leads to better results and a more enjoyable creative process. Your ability to articulate your vision will grow with practice and experience.
Need more help getting your songs sounding amazing?
If you’re not 100% happy with the quality of your mixes, you want to make your tracks stand out and make sure they reflect who you are as an artist - I’d love to work with you!
I have worked alongside top-tier mixing engineers in studios like Abbey Road and Air Studios. I now specialise in working with Indie-Pop artists to define their unique sound and give them mixes that they love.
If that sounds good to you - get in touch!
