User guide

Chapter 25 Mixing 573
 The master channel strip is a global level control for all output channels. You can
view it as the main volume control for Logic Express.
Important: Mixer channels are generated automatically when you create new audio,
instrument, or external MIDI tracks in the Arrange window, provided that File > Project
Settings > Audio > Automatic Management of Channel Strip Objects is turned on (it is
turned on by default, and should be left on in most cases).
If several Arrange tracks address the same instrument channel, the instrument is
represented by a single channel in the Mixer (this behavior can be overridden by the
Same Instrument Tracks setting in the local View menu).
Basic Mixing Steps
Generally speaking, mixing takes place in the following order (although there are
always exceptions to this):
 Set the relative levels and pan positions for each channel strip, to control the volume
relationships between your project’s parts (regions on tracks), and where they are
positioned in the stereo field.
 Sculpt the sound of each part (if needed) with equalization, which enables you to
precisely alter the tone or color of each channel. You will probably need to revisit
step 1, as EQ-ing generally has an impact on levels, and possibly on phase
relationships.
 Once the basic sound and levels are as you like them, the mix can be polished with
effect processes, such as the addition of reverb or chorus to your musical parts. Once
again, you may need to revisit step 1.
 You may find that some parts will benefit from real time changes to levels, effects, or
instrument settings. This is best achieved with track automation.
 The last phase—which is not a mixing task, per se—is to render or “bounce” your
project to one or more files. This aspect is covered in Chapter 27, “Bouncing Your
Project,” on page 625.
In your normal workflow, you will access the Mixer or Arrange channel strips to insert
software instruments and effects, and set relative levels and pan positions—both
before and after recording musical parts. This type of Mixer or Arrange channel strip
usage during the creative phase of your project helps you to build an arrangement and
rough mix, where basic levels and sounds are set.
Once all parts have been recorded, you would typically move onto the mixing phase of
your project. This is when you focus your efforts on refining the sound of each musical
element, to create a unified mix. This generally follows the order outlined above, but
your approach, or the project, may differ.