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9. Mixing first steps

1 Before we start to mix our track, adding effects and processing, we can make life much easier for ourselves if we set up some markers. These can then be used to quickly navigate around our track. Open the Marker track from the View menu under Global Tracks or by using the Eye panel in the top right.

2 To create a marker, drag the clip object to the desired position and choose the bar and beats option. Just like clips, markers can be resized, named, copied, coloured and so on. Best of all is that they are numbered and by typing the number and hitting enter you can quickly jump to your desired section.

3 Next up, in preparation for mixing, we are going to create some auxiliaries for shared reverbs and delay. In Waveform these are created by using the grey Plugin object to add an aux send plugin to each required track and an aux return plugin for each effect. You’ll find them in the Utility folder.

4 We’re setting up four auxiliary returns and will add the aux send plugins as needed. When you load each aux return, assign a new bus and name it so you know what it is. For auxiliaries 1 and 2, use the Plugin object to load up the onboard Reverb effect, which you’ll find in the Waveform Effects folder.

5 For auxiliaries 3 and 4, use the plugin object to load up our own PSP cmDelay. We’ve selected one small and one large reverb (aux 1 and 2 respectively) and for the delays a simple 1/8 note and a ping pong set to 1/4 note. For all effects check the dry signal is at 0dB.

6 Let’s get processing. The main Beats track needs some EQ shaping. The low frequencies and kick aren’t right. Use the plugin object to load the Waveform Effects 4-Band Equaliser after the Micro Drum Sampler. We’ve added 5dB at 150Hz on the Lo band but also set the Q to 1.3 which removes some of the low mid frequencies.

7 If you find it hard to pick out the frequencies you’re hearing, try using a spectrum analyser. You’ll find one in the CM Plugin Suite – VPS Scope CM. Here we’re using it to help determine the kick drum frequencies. Try positioning one before and one after the EQ plugin to visualise the changes made.

8 Next up, the bass. We really like this as it is, but would like to widen it a little. Load up the Waveform Effects Chorus plugin after the 4OSC synth. We’re trying to add a subtle effect so keep the Depth and Amount quite low. We’ve gone for Depth 2.6ms, Amount 20%, Width 74%, Speed 1Hz.

9 Now we’re getting into mixing and balancing, it makes more sense to use the MIxer panel. Open this from the Eye panel and resize the Arrange panel and Mixer using the divider. We can now clearly see that the overall levels are a bit high. Use Shift to select all the track faders and pull them back together a few dB.