Error Detection, Part One

Here is the next set of drills. Start studying now; we’ll drill on them in class next week.

Error_1 ALAC

Error_1 WAV

What it is

These drills test your ability to detect common errors in mixing: allowing clicks (e.g., from bad edits or dropped CPU cycles), hard clipping (from overdriving an input or output), pops (e.g., from vocal bursts of air or bumping a mic stand), and truncated tracks (from bad edits or pressing record too late/stop too soon).

In the clipping drills, you’ll also need to identify which track is clipping. In the truncation drills, only the vocal track is truncated. The click, pop, and truncation drills each include multiple variations (i.e., the click won’t always be in the same place, etc.).

How it’s made

• Clicks and pops were added to the original mix at three different locations each.
• Clipping was done with the Logic Bitcrusher plugin using Mode 2 clipping, -8dB Clip Level, increasing Drive until the clipping is noticeable, and adjusting the channel fader to restore balance.
• Truncations were made by automating sudden fades in the vocal tracks.

Study tips

These should be more obvious than the other drills so far, since we’re either adding sounds, adding odd harmonics (via clipping), or removing part of a track. Also, there are no values or units to report.

• Your memory for rhythm is important here. The first time you hear an error go by, you’ll wonder, “Did I just hear ___ ?” You’ll need to focus on that same time point in the recording when it comes around again.
• Even for clipping, it will become obvious only at certain times when the clipped instrument plays, so your memory for rhythm is key. You’ll need to isolate the instrument so you can tell the clipping is obvious when that instrument is playing an accent and not when others are.

Post your tips in the comments.