How to Mix Sound in Pro Tools

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Mixing is no easy task for the novice recording engineer. Mixing involves finding the right balance between all of your instruments in order to create a final mix. This article will get you started and introduce you to the basic steps that go through the mind of a Pro Tools mixing engineer.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

Pro Tools software
Pro Tools hardware interface
Computer

Step1

Balance your track volumes. Everything else is just icing on the cake.

Step2

Adjust the volume faders in the mix window until have a good basic mix going. Be sure to keep your eye on the master fader. When you mix, all of the volumes of your individual tracks get added together. If your volumes are too loud, you will overload the master channel and cause some nasty digital clipping. Make sure to keep an eye on the master track when you adjust your volumes.

Step3

Next apply EQ. Unfortunately, changing volume levels alone won't get you a good mix. You may have to EQ some of the tracks in order to carve out space for each of the instruments in your mix. Insert an EQ plug-in on each of the tracks that need equalization.

Step4

Add compression to tracks that have too wide a dynamic range. Insert a compressor plug-in on tracks that need taming. Pro Tools comes bundled with a good compressor plug-in.

Step5

Add effects to taste. Does your vocal need reverb? Does the guitar need digital delay? Effects can add a unique flavor to your mix, but be sure not to go overboard!

Tips & Warnings

These steps are not meant to be followed in a hard-and-fast order. Mixing is a fluid process. Always keep the finished product in mind. Also, remember that any changes (e.g., EQ) you make to one track affect all of the other tracks. Mixing is a lot like walking a tight rope. Good balance is a must!