Space?

[zethus909]

depends on how each sample was recorded too. if you have 3 samples, one might be recorded in a large room, one in a small treated recording room, and one outside. so each of these three samples will have a slightly different "space" already embedded into the recording. but then when you place all 3 of these samples into the digital domain, you place them all in a vaccuum. digital vaccuum. so then you add artificial reverb and that puts each sample into yet another new space. thats just one aspect of "space" that is important

[Mister Natural]

might not be real helpful but I was thinking about this recording with the mention of "space"
plenty of space here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OXJWY_rAjkM

[SODDI]

First you should determine what "space" your mix is going to occupy. Visualize it.

I guess the traditionals would be:
Small stage small hall
Large stage large hall
Concert hall
Symphonic space
Probably dozens of others.

So you'd first place your instruments in roughly the place they would occupy in the space you have chosen. Usually, drums center. So once you have all your instruments laid out in this virtual space, then you would apply dynamics and EQ appropriately (that's a big appropriately) to sharpen each sound and get it to sit properly in the mix.

Then there's electronic space where you can do anything at all - as long as it works. An old synth master once told me that a tricky mix is the sign of a bad composition.

And in electronic space, no one can hear you fart.

[MogwaiBoy]

Re: "Drums centre" but not 100% always. It's amazing what even just 5-10% panning can do to say, a hihat, to give it more separation and space from the snare.