X

483
Mixing overview
When you mix a project, you balance the dierent parts and blend them into a cohesive whole.
You can also add eects to alter the sound, use routing and grouping to control the signal ow,
and use automation to create dynamic changes in your project over time. You do this in the
Mixer, which opens below the Tracks area or as a separate window.
Although there are no rules for mixing—except those learned from experience and a good
ear—mixing typically involves the following steps. You may nd yourself moving back and forth
between steps as you work on the mix.
•
Set channel strip volume levels to balance dierent instruments.
•
Set channel strip pan, or balance, positions to place instruments in the stereo eld.
•
Add and adjust eects and instruments to change the sound characteristics of a track or the
overall project.
•
Control signal ow to create subgroups, route a signal to multiple destinations, or process
sounds individually.
•
Create changes over time using automation curves on an individual track or the master track.
In the process of mixing, you will nd dierent ways to accelerate and simplify your workow,
by muting and soloing channel strips, working with channel strip groups, and customizing
the Mixer.
You can also choose between dierent Mixer views when Show Advanced Tools is selected in
the Advanced preferences pane, displaying only those channel strips that you actually need for
the mixing task at hand.
Open the Mixer in the main window
Do one of the following:
m Click the Mixer button in the control bar.
m Choose View > Show Mixer (or press X).
Open the Mixer as a separate window
m Choose Window > Open Mixer (or press Command-2).
Mix a project
16