MIXING IT DOWN

 

Most young EM composers would think they are done, but the fun has just begun.  Your job now is to focus on the sound of each instrument.  Where is the sound in the stereo field? How loud should each sound be?  Should the timbre be changed?

 

Open the Mixer by going to the control bar and selecting the mixer button.

You will see each channel strip named after each sample we added.

You can change names if you like by double clicking on the name.

 

You can also change the ICON of the instrument track by going to the tracks area and Control - Click on the graphic.

Pick the instrument graphic you like.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When the mixer is open, you may need to see more of it.  There is a line at the top. Mouse over it

and drag it up to show more of the mixer.  You can also hit Command - 2 and the mixer will show

as a pop up.

 

Volume Faders

Listen to your song and make adjustments to the volume faders for each track.  Get the levels so that you can hear what you want to hear and when.   (Advanced Trick- Find the READ button on a track you want to have fade in or out.  Change the button to TOUCH.  Play the file.  While the file is playing, move the fader and all the movements will be recorded for you. If you mess up, you will need to open the automation window by clicking on the graphic at the top of the window. You will see lines on each track that can be edited...more on this later)  

 

 

 

 

 

Pan

Consider panning your two drum parts opposite from each other... be subtle.  

I have found keep the bass dead center to work  well.

Adjust your synths as needed. 

 

 

FINAL FX and MIXDOWN   

 

FX can add new color and warmth to your recording.  To add FX to a specific track, find the AUDIO FX slot on the track itself, and click on it.

 

 

For the Bass:

 

Go to your Bass Track.

Find the Audio FX slot

Click on it and go down to AMPS and Pedals.

Select Bass Amp.

A window will pop up.

Go to the top where it says Factory Default

Click on it and try some of these plugins.

 

If you hit the S button on the bass track you can solo it and turn off all the other tracks quickly.  This will allow you to test the settings of the plug in.  Listen and pick a setting you like.

 

For your Drums:

 

Add a Compressor, found under Audio FX> Dynamics.  Try the factory preset for Drums.

 

On the Output:

Add a little reverb.  Audio FX > Reverb > Space Designer.  Go to Medium Spaces, Halls , Medium Hall. Find the REV slider on the right and adjust until you get a very subtle echo effect.

 

Listen to the entire mix and adjust these parameters as you see fit.  We will learn more about FX and mixdowns later.

 

COMPLETED?

 

Make sure no track is muted or soloed. Click in the main arrange window and then hit Command A, to select all.

This will help you later.

 

Use the shortcut.  Command B... to Bounce your file.  This is much like exporting.

A pop up window will show.  You need to check these setting carefully.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For posting to BOX.COM, you should make your file an MP3.

I like to improve the bit rate for quality.

Check the Start and End times for the bounce.  Remember when we did Command A - select all.  That was a shortcut to make sure these setting would be correct.

 

Realtime Mode gives you the highest quality, Offline is good for smaller projects.

Press bounce and set a location that your file will be saved to.  I usually go for the desktop.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

UPLOAD TO BOX.COM.

 

You will need to create a Box account.  When doing so, you will need to verify your eMail.  The verification often goes to your spam folder.  Check that first.  After you verify, reload the browser, then upload your file. 

 

Once uploaded, get the embed code by finding the little share button under the file.

Go to your Jimdo and embed the BOX file into your eNotebook.

Provide a description of your work.  Be sure to place the file in the correct unit.

 

It is very important to post correctly in order to receive credit for your work.  Thanks.

 

 

REMEMBER TO TAKE A SCREEN SHOT OF YOUR ARRANGE WINDOW AND POST IT IN YOUR NOTEBOOK ONCE IT HAS BEEN CREATED.