From the course: Mixing and Mastering with Pro Tools

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Understanding dynamics and dynamic range

Understanding dynamics and dynamic range - Pro Tools Tutorial

From the course: Mixing and Mastering with Pro Tools

Understanding dynamics and dynamic range

In the last chapter, we looked at the frequency spectrum and how it relates to equalization and the mixing process. We learned that a sound wave's frequency determines its pitch. But it is the waveform's amplitude that determines its relative loudness in relationship to other sound waves, and even itself as it propagates over time. In other words, if the frequency defines the difference between the high and low end, dynamics define the difference between the loud and soft. Dynamic range is simply the difference between the loudest and the softest part of a changing signal. In mixing, this can be measured over a short period of time like the difference between the transient peak of a snare drum and its ringing decay or the volume difference between the loud and soft words of a vocal phrase measured over a longer period of time. So Dynamics, I'm sure you have experienced some sort of dynamic range in terms of sound in both positive and negative ways in your life. For example, a person…

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