The significance of micro-rhythm and micro-timing manipulation in jazz and pop music production: with a focus on mixing
Number of Authors: 12025 (English)In: AEC Pop and Jazz Platform (PJP) 2025, Pamplona: Conservatorio Superior de Música de Navarra (CSMN) , 2025Conference paper, Oral presentation with published abstract (Refereed) [Artistic work]
Abstract [en]
Our ongoing research project, "Searching for Sophia [Wisdom] in Music Production," explores the critical factors contributing to successful music production by examining it across music education, musicology, psychology, and sociology. This sub-project focuses on micro-rhythm and micro-timing manipulation in digital music production, particularly during the mixing of music. Micro-timing adjustments, involving small temporal shifts of audio tracks, enhance phase coherency and alter groove perception, impacting the listener's experience. Drawing from the Haas effect, we conducted experiments using micro-timing strategies in drum recordings and other instruments, revealing their influence on groove and sound unity. We have conducted several studies in which we experimented with altering the timing between different sound sources, such as drums, electric bass, guitar, and vocals, to enhance or change the musical groove. An unexpected finding from these studies is that changing the rhythm can influence how loud or soft the music is perceived to be by listeners. The clearest aspect is that such manipulation can have a significant impact on how a groove is perceived in mixing and other post-production. This is a powerful tool for enhancing static expression that is not frequently explored thoroughly and is also not used to its full extent by many music producers. The results are valid across most music genres in general and, in particular, from our experience in Jazz and Pop music. Another aspect of our project involves examining how micro-timing can impact the experience of music when combined with other media, such as audiovisual productions. We have additional sub-studies to complete in this area and will revisit this topic in the future.
Place, publisher, year, edition, pages
Pamplona: Conservatorio Superior de Música de Navarra (CSMN) , 2025.
Series
AEC Pop and Jazz Platform (PJP)
Keywords [en]
music, recording, Haas effect, micro-timing, groove, microphones
National Category
Music
Identifiers
URN: urn:nbn:se:kmh:diva-5758OAI: oai:DiVA.org:kmh-5758DiVA, id: diva2:1943005
Conference
AEC Pop and Jazz Platform (PJP) 2025, in Pamplona, Spain on 27 February – 2 March 2025
Projects
Searching for Sophia [Wisdom] in Music Production2025-03-072025-03-072025-09-10Bibliographically approved