Mixing in Stereo: Adding Width and Depth to Your Recordings | Universal Audio

When it comes to discussing the fine art of mixing music, I tend to approach the subject with some trepidation. After all, compared to many of the topics I’ve written about, this one is rife with subjectivity — one person’s idea of a great sounding mix may be another’s sonic nightmare. And what works for one genre of music will be decidedly wrong for another.But all those variables aside, there are at least a few general theories, tips, and tricks that apply to most mix projects. So while the idea here is not to give a step-by-step tutorial on two-track mixing, hopefully we can cover at least a few concepts that are useful for everyone.

Daniel Keller’s mixing techniques. The images showing mic placement have decent starting points. The loudness contour frequency chart is especially useful.

Consider this panning of instruments as a preset…

Logic Pro X keyboard command of the day. #LogicProX @StudioIntern1

  Set Automation Select Tool

The performance part of mixing, mastering, and editing sound. Just as sound occurs over time the changes of the sounds do as well. Being able to copy or move automation is just as important as being able to copy a chorus or a verse. There is value in reproducible “movement”.

I’m just reminding myself that automation is my friend and I should remember to use it as a mixing tool. I don’t always have to create a region to make some simple fader moves.

Select, copy, and move automation — Logic Pro X

After you create automation points and curves, you can easily change things to meet your needs. You can copy automation within a track or between tracks and can move automation within a track. When moving regions, you can choose whether or not to move any existing automation with it.

⇧ SHIFT – ⌃ CONTROL – ⌥ OPTION – ⌘ COMMAND