User Guide

20
Part Two: IN THE MIX…
Once a sequence or internal Groove is playing through BFD, it is possible to
explore the plugin’s extensive mixer section.
The most prominent controls are the main level faders for the Direct Master and
ambient (Overhead, Room and PZM) microphone buses. By using these faders, you
adjust the level of each mic bus to create an overall drum mix. For convenience
when mixing, Solo and Mute buttons are also present. The Master fader adjusts
the overall level of BFD’s output.
We recommend dragging all the ambient bus faders down, leaving only the Direct
Master signal. Then, begin to move each ambient fader up one by one: you will
see how easy it is to dial in varying levels of room ambience.
The Distance control allows to ‘virtually shift’ the microphone placements further
back. The Width parameter, meanwhile, varies the stereo field of each bus from
the default natural stereo towards mono (turn the control to the left) or extended
stereo (turn it to the right).
Try turning the Distance control up a little on the Room mic bus. You will notice that
the signal is delayed slightly, giving the appearance of a bigger recording space.
Its effect is essentially similar to the ‘Pre-delay’ parameter on a reverb processor.
While you’re doing this, experiment a little with the Width parameter to experience
how it may be usable in a mixing situation. BFD has a graphical indicator for these
parameters: while you are moving the controls, a 3D representation of the micro-
phones relative to the drumkit is shown in the main display.