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!

Metering

Metering There are two main types of meters in audio, peak and rms (root mean square or average). Each of these have their own benefits,...

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...

New York Compression

New York Compression is a variation on Parallel Compression used specifically on drums. The variation is simply that in addition to hitting the parallel...

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...

Compression

What is Compression in Audio? Compression is the most common form of dynamics processor used in audio. It turns down the peaks of an...

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...

Flanger

Flanger is an effect original done with two tape machines. Both machines played the same signal and were synchronized to each other. The engineer...

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...

Mute Button

Mute Button The mute button is one of the most basic functions of an audio console. When the mute button is engaged the track is...

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...

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...