Fixing Phase Issues in Your Mix: Tips for Beginners

Are you tired of struggling with phase issues in your mixes? Whether you're a beginner or an experienced mixer, phase issues can be a frustrating obstacle to achieving a clear and balanced sound. But fear not! In this article, we'll be sharing tips and techniques for fixing phase issues and taking your mixes to the next level.

What Are Phase Issues?

Phase issues occur when two or more microphones are recording the same source and the recorded audio signals that are meant to be in sync are out of phase with each other. This can cause a range of problems in your mix, from a lack of clarity to a thin and weak sound.

One common cause of phase issues is improper microphone placement. For example, if you're using multiple microphones to record the entire drum kit, the overhead mics and the individually placed mics on the kick, snare, and toms might not be in phase with each other. This can cause certain elements of the kit to sound weak or unbalanced. To fix this issue, you can try moving the microphone slightly to achieve a better phase relationship between the different mics.

How to Identify Phase Issues

You'll know you have some phasing problems when you listen to the tracks and they sound thin, maybe more mono sounding, or even a slight delay within the audio producing a kind of fluttered sound.

To visually identify out of phase audio with the waveforms, you need to look for audio waveforms that are moving in opposite directions. When two audio signals are out of phase, they cancel each other out, resulting in a weaker, thinner sound. This can be seen in the waveform, as one waveform will be going up at the same time the other waveform is going down.

How to Fix Phase Issues in Mixing

To fix this issue, you can use an EQ plugin to flip the phase on one of the signals, causing the two signals to reinforce each other and resulting in a fuller, more balanced sound. Some EQ plugins may have a phase flip button or switch labeled as "phase invert" or "polarity invert" that you can use to flip the phase of the signal.

It's important to note that flipping the phase on one track can sometimes cause issues with other tracks in the mix. Therefore, it's always a good idea to use your ears and listen closely to the mix after flipping the phase on a track to ensure that it sounds balanced and clear.

Another way you can fix phase issues is to use a Time Adjustment plugin. This is especially useful when the phase issues are caused by a delay between two microphones. To do this, you can use a time adjustment plug-in to manually correct the delay and achieve the desired phase relationship.

First, identify which tracks are causing the issue. Then, insert a delay plug-in on one of the tracks and adjust the delay time until the two tracks are in phase with each other. The specific delay time will depend on the distance between the microphones and other factors, so it may take some trial and error to find the right delay time. Be sure to watch the video demonstration on how you can time adjust an audio track by using the samples time clock in Pro Tools.

It's important to note that delaying one track can sometimes cause issues with other tracks in the mix. This is because phase relationships between different tracks can be complex and depend on the way the tracks were recorded and mixed. Therefore, it's always a good idea to use your ears and listen closely to the mix after delaying a track to ensure that it sounds balanced and clear.

Conclusion

Fixing phase issues is an important skill for any audio engineer/mixer, and with these tips and techniques, you'll be well on your way to achieving a clear and balanced sound in your mixes. Whether you're using a measured miking technique, EQ, or other time adjustment tools, I hope this article has provided you with the guidance you need to correct phase issues and achieve a professional sound.

For a visual demonstration of these phasing fixing techniques, please be sure to watch the included video.

- Emily