Volume Automation

Volume Automation is used when you need a certain instrument at a certain time louder or quieter. This tool is mostly used when you are listening back to mix your track and you cannot hear the instrument as well as you want. You can also use the automation tool to build up certain aspects of the song to create atmosphere. The next few images are simple steps to using volume automation.

1.

In this picture I have recorded a simple drum track, if the drum track is in need of automating simply click the A key on the computer keyboard to bring up the automation tool.

2.

Once the automation tool is up you will have a choice of what type of automation you would like to use out of panning and volume. If you wish to change the volume simple click the volume button.

3.

When the volume automation button is selected there should be tick next to the volume optional choice.

4.

Once all the needed steps are followed the final thing is to simply drag and drop the yellow line according to the automation needed. For example where I have the decreased level of -2.2 it will slowly increase in volume until it hits the highest part, which is +4.5. You can automate the volume as much as you like according to the sound you want.

Plug-In Parameter Automation

Plug-in Parameter is best used when you want to automate a certain instruments plug-ins so they are more effective. This enables you to have full control on when you plug-ins is active and when they are not.

1.

To find how to use plug-in parameters is simple, like the volume automation you have to simply press the A key on the keyboard. Once you have opened up the automation bar you can then find the plug-in options, which will be the same as your instruments inputs.

2.

To automate the plug-ins is very simple, like volume automation all you have to do is click and drag the green line according to the change in effects you want.

Quantising

Quantising is used when you correct a midi recorded note which isnt in time with the beat. Quantising is simple yet effective because it allows you to make each instrument perfectly in time with the song.

1.

If you feel that your notes are not sounding perfectly in time, to edit them open up the Piano Roll.

2.

Once the Piano Roll is opened the notes will be visible. To Quantize the notes highlight the ones which are out and start by clicking the bar which says 1/16-note and select is as 1/16/note as shown, the next step is simply click the Q button shown in the photo to move the notes to their nearest correct bar.

Manipulation of note Velocity

To Manipulative the note velocity would make selected notes softer or harder hit. A good example would be ghost snare hits on a drum kit,

this tool allows you to have full control on the power behind the note to make it sound more realistic.

1.

There are a few ways to change the note velocity but this is the most precise. Open up the Piano Roll to see the velocity note should be selectable, press the button and it will give you a easy effective velocity tool.

2.

Once the Velocity manipulator is opened all the midi notes should will come up, to change the Velocity of the notes all you have to do it click and drag the note. By changing the position of note the midi note in the piano roll should change colour judging by how you changed the velocity. The higher the velocity the more powerful the note sounds. To make a ghost note effect the velocity would have to be lowered down to about 70 shown in the image.

Compression
If you were to listen to a compressed instrument your first thought would be that compression makes it remotely louder, but this isnt

what it does. Compression is mostly used on vocals and most instruments due to their dynamic range, compression simply takes the parts which are too loud or too soft and makes them all even out in the mix. This also makes it easier for the final mix.

1.

The compressor in logic looks like this before it has been changed. Changing the attack, gain and release would precisely help you get the sound you need.

2.

The best way to find a sound you want is to try out all the aspects of the compressor.

EQ
Equalizing allows you to boost or take away certain frequencys. It can take away any high, mid or low end you choose from your mix. I believe EQ is the most beneficial for getting the sounds you want in

your mix. From 20hz-75hz, would be your low end of the instrument, this would be good to boost for kick drums to not get the clicky sound. From 100hz-1k is the mids, this would be useful for guitars and vocals, you dont want them to be too bass or cut out the entire low end which natural guitar and vocals need to sound real. All the levels above are the high-end section of the equalizer, they are useful when you have instruments slightly drowned in the mix, boosting the high end would help give any instrument a boost it may need.

Before

After

Tempo/Time Signature Changes

The tempo of the song is how fast or slow the song is, to change the tempo is very easy as long as you know the number of BMP (beats per minute). Following a BMP makes it much easier to keep in time with the beat when recording.

1.

If you wish to work out the BMP you can open up BPM counter plug in, to open this go to the metering plug in option then select BPM Counter the counter will work out the BPM due to the beat of the recorded instrument.

2.

To change the BPM of the song click, hold and drag where it says 120.0000 and change it to the correct BPM.

Master Effects

Master Effects are plug ins on the out-put. They allow you to add effects to the whole mix as one instead of individual channel effects.

The Master effects is the main output within the mixer. This output is connected to all the individual channels. By putting effects on the output makes the whole mix affected all the same. If you wish to make all instruments sound distorted or far away for example, added master effects would be the best way to do so.