How can you use parallel processing to add depth to your audio mix?

1 Enhancing dialogue

Dialogue is the most important element in any film, and it needs to be clear, crisp, and consistent. However, sometimes the raw recordings may lack presence, clarity, or energy. Parallel processing can help you enhance the dialogue by adding compression, EQ, or saturation to a duplicate track, and then mixing it with the original track. Compression can make the dialogue more consistent and louder, EQ can boost or cut certain frequencies to improve intelligibility or tone, and saturation can add warmth and character.

2 Adding reverb

Reverb is an effect that simulates the sound of a space, such as a room, a hall, or a cathedral. Reverb can create a sense of depth, realism, and emotion in your audio mix, but it can also muddy the sound or make it too distant. Parallel processing can help you add reverb without losing clarity or definition, by sending a copy of the audio signal to a separate bus or aux track, and then applying reverb to that track only. Then, you can adjust the level and the blend of the reverb track with the dry track, until you achieve the desired balance.

3 Creating distortion

Distortion is an effect that alters the shape and amplitude of an audio signal, creating a gritty, crunchy, or fuzzy sound. Distortion can be used to create contrast, tension, or drama in your audio mix, but it can also damage the quality or the dynamics of the sound. Parallel processing can help you create distortion without sacrificing the original sound, by duplicating the audio track and applying distortion to one of the copies. Then, you can mix the distorted and clean tracks together, and control the amount and the tone of the distortion.

4 Widening stereo

Stereo is the technique of creating a sense of space and direction in your audio mix, by using two or more channels of sound. Stereo can make your audio mix more immersive, engaging, and realistic, but it can also create phase issues or lose focus. Parallel processing can help you widen the stereo image without compromising the mono compatibility or the center, by duplicating the audio track and applying a stereo widening effect to one of the copies. Then, you can pan the tracks to opposite sides, and adjust the level and the phase of the tracks.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?