#Levels mastering the mix how to#
#Levels mastering the mix pro#

Next, assign the output of the individual tracks to match the corresponding busses of the mix stem auxiliary tracks. A classical mix may contain groupings of Strings, Woodwinds, Brass, Percussion, etcвЂ¦

Typical mix stem names are Drums, Instruments, Background Vocals, Lead Vocals.ДЄdditional groupings may be added to suit your needs depending upon the musical style and instrumentation involved in mix. Name each auxiliary track to match the groupings and track organization.

#Levels mastering the mix pro#

This extra level of processing serves a variety of very valuable purposes for your final mix and its preparation for the pro audio mastering process.ДЄssign the input of each of these mix stems to a series of consecutive stereo busses. These individual mix stems allow you to process individual groupings of instruments independent of the individual processing on the audio tracks. I usually place these mix stem tracks at the very beginning or at the very end of my mix session next to the master fader. Level 2: Mix StemsД¬reate a series of Auxiliary Tracks that will be organized in conjunction with the individual groupings of instruments you just laid out with the individual tracks.

This will help to prepare the individual tracks for the next level of processing. The point is that you organize instruments that are very similar in nature so that they will be easier to work with during the mix down. It is not necessary that you follow this exact order of instruments. If you have other instruments that don't fit into these categories such as woodwinds, brass and reed instruments, you can organize these between the rhythm section instruments and the vocals. Finally, place your lead vocal along with any doubles for harmony parts next to each other. Organize all of your background vocals, if you have any, after the rhythm section instruments. The next groups of tracks should be the basic rhythm section instruments like bass, guitars, keyboards etcвЂ¦ For example, all drum and percussion tracks should be next to each other. Organize your tracks such that like instruments are placed side-by-side. The 1st level of a mix starts with the individual tracks. The following outlines each level, its purpose, and how it leads to the final mix bounce. Essentially, the layout of your mix should function in 3 basic levels. Following these steps will yield the best results from the pro audio mastering process. This organizational design will set the stage for the final mix to be printed. To start, we will need to break down your mix into 3 basic levels of processing. You'll be amazed at the difference it makes in the quality and control you have with your mix. Do a 'Save-As' and try to reorganize your session using the following basic guidelines. However, if your multitrack mix is already done, your session can still be reorganized to help maximize results. Organizing the mixing session for pro audio mastering should start from the very beginning of the mix before you get balances and sounds. These steps follow basic engineering principles that have been used for decades and will help you understand the mixing and mastering process more fully. Some of the steps may seem complicated at first but once you understand and implement them they will give you the greatest amount of flexibility in preparing your mixes for the mastering process. The following guidelines will help to make your mixes sound better and the mastering process go smoothly. By giving the mastering engineer what he or she needs, you will increase the efficiency and quality of the work they do.

#Levels mastering the mix how to#

To get the most out of the pro audio mastering process, you must understand how to prepare your mixes properly.