USER’S GUIDE Final Mix VST ™ For Tracktion Plug-in for Software Audio Recording Applications By Acuma Labs
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Contents Mackie Software License------------------------------------------- 2 Iconography ----------------------------------------------------------4 Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------6 About Final Mix --------------------------------------------------------6 Main Features ----------------------------------------------------------7 Using Final Mix -------------------------------------------------------8 Front Panel Overview-----------------------------------------------
Introduction Thank you for choosing Mackie software products for your computer-based audio recording system. This version of Mackie's Final Mix stereo mastering plug-in comes with the PC version of Tracktion, our easy-to-use music production software application. When you install Tracktion on your PC, Final Mix is automatically installed in Tracktion's plug-ins folder.
Main Features • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Stereo mastering plug-in solution for the PC version of Tracktion 6-band pre-dynamics parametric equalizer 3-band dynamics processor 6-band post-dynamics parametric equalizer Soft-Clip feature to provide peak overload protection DC removal filter Noise gate Integrated on-screen help (click on the question mark button) Dynamics auto make-up gain Individual key selector for each dynamics band Graphical user-definable dynamics band contours Linking o
Using Final Mix Front Panel Overview You can think of Final Mix as being broken into three basic blocks: EQ, Dynamics, and Global. The dynamics and equalizer blocks have alternate pop-up screens that can be accessed for detailed editing. Pre/Post Parametric Equalizers (Six Band) Dynamics Crossover/Key Global Controls Pre/Post Parametric Equalizers Block (see page 9) The parametric equalizer block is comprised of two separate six-band parametric equalizers.
the threshold and ratio, as well as a desired knee. It is a view of the overall ‘shape’ or contour of exactly what the compressor is going to do your signal. You can even draw in regions of expansion. From this screen you can also enable or disable the band’s auto make-up gain. Band View displays the edit screen of a selected band along with numeric windows that display makeup gain, attack, and release values. For more information see the "Dynamics Processing" section, later in this manual.
The EQ screen defaults to EQ EDIT PRE ON when Final Mix is initially activated. EQ EDIT PRE ON is also indicated by the letters (PRE) that are highlighted on the background screen. EQ Editing Six nodes (balls) are displayed for each of the Pre and Post EQ curves. Each node on a selected curve offers independent gain, frequency and Q control. To adjust EQ curves, simply drag individual bands (nodes) by grabbing a ball with your left mouse button.
DC offset is noise that may be present within your signal but typically is not audible by itself. Why would you want to remove it? It can damage speakers by offsetting the "resting" position of the cone. It can also require extra energy to reproduce, robbing an amplifier of power that could be used to reproduce the music. EQ Bands On/Off The six EQ BANDS ON/OFF buttons correspond to the six red nodes (balls) found on both the Pre and Post EQ screens.
Typically, the dynamics processor is used as a compressor. However, depending on the settings it can act as a compressor, limiter, or expander, or even a combination of all three. Having three dynamic processors acting separately on each band can give you great flexibility while mastering. For instance, you don’t have to worry about your bass causing your lead vocal to get compressed. All bands can be compressed individually, resulting in a tighter, punchier overall sound.
Key Gain The Key Gain Control ranges from –15 dB to +15 dB. This gain control is not the same as the compressor make-up gain, which is found in the contour screen (and beside the three small contour graphs). Instead, this control adjusts the gain of the signal that is sent to the key level detector. This is used in conjunction with the key bandwidth to determine when the dynamics processor acts on the signal. You can use this, for instance, to drive the control signal to the compressor a little harder.
Contour Edit Screen Contour Edit screen Note: The Dynamics Contour Edit screen is accessed by double-clicking on any of the three bands found at the bottom of the main Final Mix screen. Overview The Contour Edit Screen allows you to have very powerful control over the heart of Final Mix. Double-clicking on any of the three dynamics overview screens brings up this more detailed screen. The overview screens are found at the bottom of the main screen.
Expansion occurs when the amplitude of the output increases faster than the amplitude of the input. Compression, on the other hand, occurs when the amplitude of the output increases slower than the amplitude of the input. Final Mix allows expansion or compression above the threshold. Expansion can be used to increase the volume of quiet passages and bring a little bit more "life" into a performance. Note that each individual segment can be set as either a compressor, an expander, or both.
In general, the attack time should be much faster than the release time to get pleasing results. If the attack time is set too quickly, you hear something resembling clipping on attacks, especially with low-frequency signals. Leaving the attack a little bit longer also allows more of the ‘snap’ of the attacks to pass through the compressor. Setting a release time too fast can result in ‘buzzing’, especially on low notes.
Nodes can be added to the contour graph by right-clicking the mouse on the contour graph. Right-clicking on the graph where there is no node adds a node, up to a maximum of 4. Right-clicking on a node removes it. You can also add or remove nodes by scrolling through the NODE selector window and toggling the Node Enable IN button. Right-click to add a node Node Selector Node Enable Note: The four numbered nodes must always appear in order from left to right.
Other Controls in the Dynamics Section Active This engages or disengages all of the compressors. Note: The dynamics processor for each band can be individually enabled or disabled using the IN button immediately below the key/crossover graph. Reset RESET DYNAMICS will reset the Dynamics section to its factory default settings. Link All When engaged, this button allows you to edit all three bands of dynamics at once. Changes don't take place until you move a parameter within the dynamics section.
Global Controls Block The Global Controls Block is shown below. This includes the minimize and preset up/down buttons, the preset title window, the ACTIVE, MENU, and MEM A/B buttons. The global controls also include INPUT and OUTPUT faders and meters, and fader LINK buttons. Main Global Controls screen Help Screen (?) Pressing the help (?) button brings up a handy quick reference screen to assist you in using Final Mix. It offers a signal path block diagram, definitions, and editing tips.
Preset Toggle Buttons The preset up/down arrow buttons enable you to scroll up or down through either the factory or user presets. These toggle buttons are located just to the left of the Preset window. Preset Title Window The Preset Title window displays the currently selected preset. This window is located at the top of the control bar. Click on it to access the pull-down menu where you can choose between factory or user presets.
Specifications 6 band Parametric EQ Crossover Frequencies Gain ±15.0 dB 20 Hz to 20 kHz Frequency 20 Hz to 20 kHz Q range 0.1 to 16 Filter type High/Low shelf or bandpass Dynamics Gain Makeup ±15 dB Attack 0 to 100 ms Release 30 ms to 3000 ms Threshold –48 dBfs to 0 dBfs Crossover Slopes 6 dB/octave to 36 dB/octave Key Filters Frequency Limited to crossover band Slope 4th order low pass 4th order high pass DC Filter On/Off, frequency = 3.
Final Mix Factory Presets The following table is a simple guide to help you understand some of Final Mix’s factory presets. A brief description and intended use is given. Final Mix presets can be used effectively as they are, or as a starting point that lets you do the fine tuning mix. Final Mix also lets you create your own user presets with custom parameters that meet your specific needs. So get creative and have fun! Please visit www.mackie.
Final Mix Preset Preset Description Preset Type Female Broadcast Optimized Female compression settings for radio or TV broadcast. Uses an EQ lift between 100 and 300Hz with a 75Hz roll off. This simulates Electro Voice RE-20 microphone response. Radio and television broadcast (female) Female Vox Comp Good all around compression and EQ. Good for most female singing voices. Good over all female vocal mix Final Mix Vocal Medium compression set to optimal vocal crossover points 500Hz to 2.5K.
Final Mix Preset Preset Description Preset Type H_Notch EQ One pre EQ band set extremely low. Used to remove a problem frequency. Use to eliminate bad frequencies H_One Comp Band Uses the middle contour band as a single broadband compressor. The Xover has its borders at 20Hz and 20kHz with 36 dB slopes. The band two key is set to match the Xover. Used as one over all compressor H_Punchy Kick Knock you through the wall kick sound. Soft low band compression with 100Hz pre EQ lift.
Final Mix Preset Preset Description Preset Type Male Vox Comp Good all around compression and EQ. Good for most male singing voices. Good over all male vocal mix Moderate + Hi Low EQ Moderate compression with high and low EQ boost. High and low EQ boost Moderate + Mid EQ Moderate compression with a bit of EQ boost for mid frequencies. Mid EQ boost Orchestral Finely tuned light compression for full orchestra. All-around orchestra mix Pop Medium, non-intrusive compression.
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