exercise 05
Phase
Spot the comb-filter-clean version among three options.
setup
D01What this trains
Phase ear training for mix engineers
Phase problems can make a source sound hollow, filtered, or unstable. This exercise trains the practical mix judgment: which option keeps the tone coherent?
Training focus
- Phase issue recognition
- Comb-filter detection
- Clean versus smeared tone
Listen for
- Hollow or nasal tone changes
- High-frequency combing that shifts the source character
- A cleaner option that keeps the musical part more solid
Exercise FAQ
What does phase cancellation sound like?
It often sounds hollow, filtered, or thinner than the clean version, especially when similar signals are delayed or combined.
Why train phase by ear?
Meters help, but the mix decision is audible: pick the version with the strongest, most coherent tone.
Is this only for multitrack recording?
No. Phase-like comb filtering can appear in stereo widening, parallel processing, re-amping, and layered sounds too.