---
title: "Dialing In The Mix Using ADSR Relational Decision-Making"

description: "We’ve talked about reframing instruments as frequencies and harmonics, but what about looking at everything like a synth? Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release are a powerful lens to look at all music. And I break out my trusty Juno for some demonstrations!"

status: complete

date: 2024-06-04

kind: solo

guestSlugs: []

listenUrl: "https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/lovemusicmore/episodes/Dialing-In-The-Mix-Using-ADSR-Relational-Decision-Making-e2kf2g3"
appleUrl: "https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/dialing-in-the-mix-using-adsr-relational-decision-making/id1567355195?i=1000657770460&uo=4"
spotifyUrl: "https://open.spotify.com/episode/2vuzSqYQB8Qf6XW5n14tnB"

topicsDiscussed:
  - "Mixing"
  - "Music production"
  - "ADSR Overview"
  - "Synthesis Basics"
  - "Attack and Decay"
  - "Sustain in Music"
  - "Release Techniques"
  - "Applying ADSR to Instruments"
  - "Frequency Manipulation"
  - "Articulation and Groove"

hostNote: |
  Every instrument is secretly a synth. Attack, Decay, Sustain, Release, those four parameters don't just describe synthesizers, they describe a drum hit, a piano chord, a guitar strum. Once you hear music through that lens, relational mixing decisions start to make themselves.
  
  I break out the Juno for live demos throughout, working through how adjusting sustain creates smoother chord transitions, how transients carry the perception of groove even when the notes stay the same, and what I mean by "fancy footwork", the spacing between notes that separates a stiff arrangement from one that breathes. The easiest way to use these tools is to rethink your relationship to them, and that's what this episode is designed to do.
  
  By the end you have a four-parameter mental model you can apply to any instrument in any mix, at any stage of production.

selectedMoments:
  - label: "Introduction to ADSR"
    startSec: 115
    note: "I introduce the concept of ADSR and its importance in music production."
  - label: "Understanding Attack"
    startSec: 136
    note: "A detailed explanation of the attack parameter with practical examples."
  - label: "Decay and Sustain in Instruments"
    startSec: 184
    note: "I discuss decay and sustain using a piano as a reference."
  - label: "The Role of Release"
    startSec: 316
    note: "Illustration of how release affects sound character and flow."
  - label: "Crafting Fluid Arrangements"
    startSec: 361
    note: "I discuss how sustain can create smoother transitions between chords."
  - label: "Using Transients Effectively"
    startSec: 586
    note: "Examination of transients and their impact on overall sound dynamics."
  - label: "Articulation in Music"
    startSec: 993
    note: "Exploring the significance of articulation when arranging music."
  - label: "Rethinking Production Tools"
    startSec: 1173
    note: "Encouraging listeners to have fun with production tools and techniques."
  - label: "Final Thoughts on Music Creation"
    startSec: 1215
    note: "I wrap up the episode with some key takeaways."

excerptQuotes:
  - text: "So I'm talking ADSR, not ASMR, ADSR, and what is that?"
    startSec: 116
    reviewed: true
  - text: "So attack is really just the hitting of a transient. So think drums, think a clap. Boom, attack."
    startSec: 132
    reviewed: true
  - text: "But first, let's talk about it in the sense of like a piano, very understandable instrument."
    startSec: 180
    reviewed: true
  - text: "So the attack is like two. The decay is like seven and the release is about five."
    startSec: 363
    reviewed: true
  - text: "It's that fancy footwork. It's that spacing that you end up achieving."
    startSec: 814
    reviewed: true
  - text: "And the easiest way to use them is to rethink your relationship to them, your relationship to music."
    startSec: 1169
    reviewed: true

faq:
  - question: "What is ADSR in music production?"
    answer: "ADSR stands for Attack, Decay, Sustain, and Release, which are four parameters used to shape the sound of an instrument or audio signal."
  - question: "How can I apply ADSR to my music?"
    answer: "By understanding how each element of ADSR impacts sound, you can manipulate instruments and audio in creative ways to enhance your music."
  - question: "What are transients in music?"
    answer: "Transients are the initial peaks of a sound wave, particularly at the beginning of a sound, which heavily influence the overall character of the audio."

transcriptPublished: false

draft: false
---