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Audio: Mixing for Mood

What would a Batman movie be without the dark, brooding score? Where would Napoleon Dynamite be without its quirky soundtrack? The selection, timing and mixing of music are critical to the success of your project. They set the mood for current events and can even signal events to come. So it's worth focusing some time and effort on the sound mix. It doesn't matter whether you have a big budget or no budget, you can create equally powerful mixes using common tools and software you already own.

Let's get the obvious out of the way first. Bluegrass music probably won't work for that skateboard video you're working on, any more than Screamo music works for a Jamaican tourism project. The subject helps define your range of musical choices. Fortunately, there are many buyout musical choices today. Some vendors even offer free downloads so you can sample their products. Styles cover the entire gamut of music from classical to rock, techno to country. Your task is to find the right pieces for the project. Often, the right choice is a variety of styles to suit the sections of your video. The list might include a theme for the beginning and end, some less-intense bed music for filler and some variations to accent specific segments in the project. Don't forget that contrast is powerful too. While your main theme may be cinematic in nature, complementing a chase scene with an upbeat country piece brings some levity and variety. Experiment with different cuts until you find the feel you want.

One innovation in recent years is the development of multitrack buyout music. Digital Juice, SmartSound and Sony each offer products that give the producer control over the elements and mix of the final musical product. Some offer timing and "mood" controls, while others allow the muting or export of individual tracks to use as you please. This offers several possibilities to the video producer. First, you have mixing options that rival much larger operations. Second, the mood or feel of the music can follow the action on screen. Finally, you gain a new level of control over the elements and the final…