Alternatively, some styles of music are mixed

with extreme variations between the softest and loud-

est sounds, like this:

Visual 167. Even Volumes: Heavy Metal Mix (see color

Visual 167C)

Visual 165. Song With Uneven Volumes (see color

Visual 43C)

Lots of rock 'n' roll, dance music, and rap are mixed
this way. Big band music is a also a perfect example of
this type of mix. You might have extremely soft
sounds followed by huge horn blasts. Even some clas-
sical music is this dynamic. Pink Floyd is well known
for trying to shock you to death with alarm clocks and
explosions. It can be quite fun and exhilarating.
Whether the mix is even or uneven is mostly
based on the style of music. However, the type of song
also helps to determine the overall evenness of vol-
umes. For example, a ballad might be mixed with Visual 168. Even Volumes: Alternative Rock Mix (see
volumes that are more equal to each other to pre- color Visual 168CI
serve the overall mellow feel. On the other hand, a
song about "shocking changes in life" might very well Level 3 Dynamics: Changing Volume Levels
have some shocking volume differences. It is helpful
to listen to the details of the song to help you deter-
mine whether levels should be even or uneven.

Volume can range from soft to loud, and individual

Visual 166. Uneven Volumes: Big Band Mix (see color
Visual 166C)
sounds can also be raised or lowered within the song.
When faders are moved while a sound is playing, the
dynamic created tends to be intense. If the level of a
sound is changed at a good transition point, such as
the beginning of a chorus or lead break, the dynamic
created is not nearly as intense as when changed in
the middle of a section. Such a strong dynamic often
causes the listener to focus on the change you are
making. Therefore, it should be done as musically as
possible—that is, in time with the tempo or other
changes that are occurring in the song.

92
The Art of Mixing