This was one of my first mixes for the Full Sail University Mixing Techniques course. As students, the assignment was to select a song, download the stems, and create a mix using a customized template. This was my first experience using sub mixes for instrument groups. I now use this for EVERY mix that I do. It is one of the most important techniques that I could integrate into my current workflow. This project was mixed in ProTools and mastered in Logic X.
This project was very similar to the Valicaceras project. The stems were available from a mix website that specialized in creating contests for mix engineers and music producers to submit re-mixes for up and coming artists. One of the main parameters of the contest is that you have to keep at least one original stem. For this project, I kept the vocal tracks and guitar parts. Everything else is my creation!
One extraordinarily important aspect of being a quality sound engineer is creating heavily edited projects. For the Full Sail University Advanced Audio Editing Techniques course, I had to create some short radio spots in ProTools that demonstrated use of the different editing modes (Slip, Grid, and Shuffle). Fortunately, I got really creative and it turns out that have a knack for this type of work. This project also generated one of the best compliments I've ever had from an instructor in this program.
"Really good work Nathaniel. Every now and then I get to say this: You have a knack for this. I'd suggest trying to freelance some imaging work (sites like Fiverr can make this easy). This will help you build speed. You may have some fortune in the radio field. You have the sound". -Thomas Hughes
This was one of the most ambitious projects I've ever had. Before I left the Army Band, I wanted to leave a mark that my fellow soldiers could use to remember the assignment. At this time, the 2nd Infantry Division band was a very tight knit group that excelled at making music. Our collective talents we so much fun to harness so I coordinated with every group to set up a recording session. Unfortunately, it was during a military exercise period so our recording times were varied, even at 2 or 3 in the morning! But it was incredible to see everyone involved rise to the challenge and I think we made an incredible project!