Beginner's Guide to Audio Mixing with MOTIV Mix™

Are you new to audio mixing? Maybe you've just started a podcast, or perhaps you're an aspiring streamer wanting to improve your audio quality. Do not fret; you are at the right place. This guide will introduce you to the basics of audio mixing and MOTIV Mix™, a tool created with the end-user in mind, to make the job simple, easy, and fast, even for beginners.

What is Audio Mixing?

Audio mixing is the artistic process of bringing a collection of sound sources and putting them on one track or stream. It's like combining different ingredients to create a fantastic dish. You want to have a mixture of the ingredients so that they blend well and are heard. Whatever you are recording for a podcast, a livestream, a video or music, mixing makes your audio sound professional and refined that you require.

Why is Mixing Important?

Good mixing can go a long way toward how your content is heard. Poorly mixed audio can confuse your listeners and they will have trouble hearing your message. On the other hand, well-mixed audio can locate listeners and your content becomes more engaging to listen to. It's what can bring your work from amateur to professional.

Discover MOTIV Mix™

MOTIV Mix™ is an easy-to-use software that makes the mixing process a breeze. It comes with a number of tools to assist you in achieving the best quality from your recordings, whether you're new to mixing or not. Here are some of the features that make MOTIV Mix™ a novice's best friend:

Gain

Gain controls the level of your input signal. Think of it as the first boost so that your instrument or voice can be heard clearly without distortion. Adjusting gain in MOTIV Mix is a piece of cake. You can simply set the optimal level for your recordings.

Compressor

A compressor tightens or reduces the dynamic range of your sound. It reduces the level of loud sounds and makes softer sounds more audible. MOTIV Mix's compressor function keeps your sound clear and even without extreme volume spikes.

Limiter

A limiter acts as a safety net keeps your audio from peaking and distorting. It's perfect for sudden loud sections that can ruin your recording. When using a limiter, you can maintain your audio quality.

Tone

Tone control comes in to provide character to your audio, where you can shape the actual quality of your sound by adjusting the bass and treble frequencies. Whether you're after a deep, rich voice or bright snappy music, playing around with tone gets you to that sweet spot.

High-pass Filter

Ever recorded something and noticed an annoying low rumble or a constant hum in the background? That's where a high-pass filter swoops in to save the day, kicking out all those unwanted, low-end noises. This tool is super valuable for podcasters and content creators, letting you instantly clean up your sound for a more professional feel.

Additional Features Using Shure Microphones

When you use MOTIV Mix with a Shure microphone, like the MV7i, MV7+, MV6, MV7 or MV88+, you unlock additional powerful features to take your mixing to the next level.

Monitor Mix

Monitor mix enables you to hear a blend of your input signal and playback. Real-time feedback such as this enables you to make changes as you go along, so everything will sound good when you record.

Reverb

Reverb creates a deep sense of distance and space from your voice or instrument, placing a more realistic texture on your audio. The reverb feature in MOTIV Mix™ enables you to put the right amount on to give your recordings an edge without overdoing it.

Real-time Denoiser

A real-time denoiser silences background noise as you record. It's a godsend if you're recording in a noisy setting, putting your voice in the spotlight.

Popper Stopper

Pops and hisses of plosive sounds can ruin a flawless recording. These sounds are severed at low levels with the popper stopper in MOTIV Mix™, leaving you with a cleaner-sounding audio track.

MOTIV Mix™ & MV7 DSP Feature Table

Not all features are available on every microphone.

Get Started Audio Mixing

Audio mixing does not have to be intimidating, especially with software like MOTIV Mix™. Once you learn the basics and utilize the features offered, you can significantly improve the quality of your recordings. From a beginner podcaster to a content creator or just someone that wants to give their audio a boost, Shure microphones and MOTIV Mix™ are the perfect pairing to give your best sound. Happy mixing!