Mixing is the process of taking multiple individually recorded elements and adding processing, effects, and balancing levels to create a deliverable mono, stereo, or surround sound track.

There are many basic aspects of mixing, so we’ve created a series of articles that quickly and simply explain common terms and concepts in mixing. Browse below to check them out!

Phaser

Phaser sounds very similar to Flanger but is created in a different way. A phaser splits the signal and sends one signal to be...

Record Button

Record Button The record or Arm button is a function found on recorders and not necessarily mixing consoles. This button’s purpose is to determine if...

Pan Pots

Pan Pots (short for Panoramic Potentiometers) are used to send a signal to the left or right channel (or speakers), both channels equally, or...

Auxiliary Send and Return

An auxiliary send and return does not stop the signal like an insert, but simply sends a portion of the signal to the processor...

Expander

An expander is closely related to a gate like a limiter is related to a compressor. An expander leaves louder information (that is above...

Sub Mix

Submixes and groups are related to each other and often get confusing, but there is one simple difference. Submixes are when multiple tracks are...

Faders

Fader Faders control the level of audio passing through the output of a channel. Most faders have a detented resting position about 2/3rds up its...

Parallel Compression

What is Parallel Compression? Standard compression is usually done with the compressor inserted on the track so the result is a wet or processed...

Chorus

Chorus is an effect used to make a single source, like one voice, sound like many, like a choir. The idea is that multiple...

EQ

EQ - What is EQ or Equalization? EQ or equalization is adding or taking away level (gain or volume) at specific frequency ranges. It is...

Gate

An Audio Gate or Noise Gate is another dynamics processor that works kind of opposite from a compressor. A gate uses the threshold to...

Doubling

Doubling can be done in two ways: the first is double tracking or stacking - recording the same instrument multiple times to make it...

Record Button

Record Button The record or Arm button is a function found on recorders and not necessarily mixing consoles. This button’s purpose is to determine if...