Apart from the technological resources needed to produce music, the knowledge to use them is essential. Digital production also lowered the financial barriers for professionals and led to a shift in the recording industry from large studio complexes operated by major record labels to smaller, independent, and often specialized enterprises run by individuals or small teams ( Leyshon Théberge, “The End”). The proliferation of affordable and powerful digital tools, aka the democratization of music production ( Leyshon Strachan Théberge, “Network”), allows artists to produce music themselves or become more involved when collaborating with audio professionals ( Fitterman Radbill). International networks, digitalization, and global connectivity have considerably impacted how popular music is produced. Instead, it sets out to analyze the extent to which standardization is evident, where there are differences, and which ones are systematic. The study does not aim to define the sound of metal, nor establish the standard method when mixing metal music. The overarching research objective is to determine whether a standard mixing methodology can be observed, as indicated by templates/presets and the tools used, as well as the audio processing tactics and general mix ethos employed. This rich data source enables examining and comparing the relevant producers’ mixing approaches from start to finish. NTM is not just a database of videos but a subscription-based community with in-person “summits” and a closed Facebook group of 5,000 producers, including many successful producers in the genre. The data employed were collected from Nail The Mix (NTM), a platform offering monthly live streams of professional metal producers mixing a previously released song in real-time, accompanied by questions from the host and online audience. In light of decreasing recording budgets and required audio processing aesthetics, the mix-phase focus is due to the determination that this is the stage where metal’s sound is increasingly determined ( Thomas 221). This article aims to investigate whether a standard mixing methodology in metal music exists.

Emmure Full Discography Torrent