Building a DAW Mix Template
Chapter 1 : Setup
-
2:56 Introduction
Michael gives an overview of the philosophy behind this tutorial.
-
3:07 The Initial Setup
Michael explains how the tutorial will progress and we begin the setup.
Chapter 2 : Reverbs
-
9:12 Room
For our smallest ambience, we've got three allotted options.
-
3:27 Plate
For vocals and drums, the Waves Abbey Road Plates sounds excellent.
-
3:47 Spring
Explore two spring reverb options to give guitars a wonderful presence.
-
2:23 VVV
See another reverb with a colored tail to add dimension to our tracks.
-
1:41 H-Verb
Explore some non-linear options with this amazingly versatile Waves reverb.
-
3:07 Blackhole
For those massive out-of-world style reverbs, learn how the Blackhole from Eventide can be just what's needed.
Chapter 3 : Delays
-
9:59 1/16 & 1/8
Discover how these two timed basic delays can give a rhythmic backbone to the tracks.
-
5:05 Tape Slap
Here, Michael uses a traditional effect in a very aggressive way.
-
4:00 Short Taps
See how a number of short delays can sometimes be a better option than a traditional reverb.
-
4:09 EchoBoy
Our first colored, timed delay - the "do it all" EchoBoy.
-
3:41 H-Delay
Explore the famed ping-pong mode of the H-Delay - a favorite of many.
-
3:16 Primal
Based on the Lexicon Prime Time, this SoundToys recreation has a wonderfully warm sound unto itself.
-
4:57 Echoes
Explore how this underrated Nomad Factory analog echo box simulator can sound great or alternatively, we could use T-Racks' Tape Echo.
-
4:13 Replika XT
See how our final timed delay option bridges the gap into our modulation effects. This latest Native Instruments delay has some unique post-delay modulation options.
Chapter 4 : Modulation
-
7:42 Excalibur (or variant)
See how Exponential Audio's Excalibur is deployed but alternatively, we can use Valhalla DSP's UberMod.
-
10:57 H3000 (or variant)
Discover how this classic widening effect can be created from either the Eventide H3000, Waves Reel ADT, SoundToys Microshift or the Waves Doubler.
-
3:44 Mutron (or variant)
Michael attempts to recreate an old analog classic phasing effect with a Waves plugin or another version of Exclalibur as an alternative.
Chapter 5 : Routing
-
7:36 Sending Some FX to Other FX
We explore the options opened up by create multi-fx chains.
-
8:06 The "Drum Squish" Parallel Path
Michael shows the thickness and presence we can attain by having a second, heavily compressed drum channel.
-
5:03 The "Vox Squish" Parallel Path
Similar to the drum path, here we send our vocal down a second, heavily effected path to bring our vocal forward.
-
2:26 The "ALL" Subgroups
Michael explains these subgroup channels where all our instrumental groups come together.
-
12:16 Mix Bus FX & Metering
Michael breaks down first the routing logic and then the processing applied over the mix bus.
-
9:08 Master Faders
After seeing a few more mix bus options. discover how Master Faders can be headroom conditioners for our gain structure.
Chapter 6 : Using the Template
-
6:21 Importing the Template into your Song
See Michael now demo the actual song we're using and then importing our template into.
-
8:54 Routing Groups & Organizing Tracks
With our template now imported, we need to make some organisational changes so everything goes where it's supposed to go.
-
11:31 Getting FX Going in the Track
Watch Michael begin to add various effects which leads into the need and deployment of VCA master faders.
-
12:01 More FX on Drums, Guitars, & Keys Pt. 1
Michael continues to explore effect options over some of the drums, guitars and keyboards.
-
13:47 More FX on Drums, Guitars, & Keys Pt. 2
We conclude with Michael exploring a few effect options over some of the drums, guitars and keyboards.
Product Overview
Studio wiz Michael Costa brings you in-depth video tutorials focused on building an awesome mixing template for your DAW. See how professionals get a mix done with this time-saving practice that allows you to concentrate on the mix!
From setup to routing, reverbs to delays, compression routing techniques, using mix buses and more, Michael breaks down the art of making a great mix template and using it for your productions.
See the individual tutorial descriptions below for more info. If you mix music or any kind of recordings, a mix template can drastically increase your productivity and allow you to be more creative. Watch “Building a DAW Mix Template” today!
Why Users Choose Us
There are many things our users love about Groove3, but a couple always stand out at the top when asked why people choose us as their learning resource.
Quality Content
We meticulously craft professional quality tutorials that are thoughtful, informative and done with attention to detail. We stand behind our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and are trusted by 1000s of users every day.
Save Time & Money
Our library brings over 1700 hours of quality instruction to you fingertips and we release new content every week. Don't waste your valuable time scouring the web for information you may never find or is cumbersome to use and potentially can't be trusted.
Reviews
Submitted 2 months ago
Outstanding Video Tuition Series on Mix Templates
I'm reasonably new to the professional digital recording world; although I have been a professional musician for about 15 years. This series of videos has helped me improve my workflow massively and really cleaned up my mixing process. My work quality has improved substantially and I am now able to produce much better results in less time for my clients. Happy Days!
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Logic Pro, Pro Tools
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 7 months ago
Easy to use!
I love how it lets me know where I am in viewing, so I don't have to guess what I watched last.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Reaper
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 9 months ago
Exellent! For "everyone" Novis or Expert
Explain even a lot of plugins and how to use them
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Sound for Film/TV, Cubase
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 11 months ago
Very Useful
Very useful and interesting tutorial.
I am a: Hobbyist, Producer, Beat Maker, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Cubase, Studio One
Submitted 1 year ago
Too much marketing of Waves and SoundToys products.
Title pretty much says it.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Game Designer, Mastering Facility, Reason, Reaper
Response from Customer Service:
The plug-ins used were what Michael has in his studio and setup and he used the ones chosen based on what he uses in his actual gigs.
I completely understand if you prefer to use different plug-ins. The tutorial is to show a guideline and we encourage you to replace the plug-ins you are not familiar with using with your own favorites.
I hope that helps!
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
VERY HELPFUL
made a new template in less than and hour!
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Great title which tells the subject in a nutshell
This broke down the various ways for setting up during the mixing stages. Explaining while creating the fx buss, mix buss, master buss, group buss, & vca's has been very informational for me to create my own template.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
An excellent, encompassing course
This video takes you through a full set of modern recording tracks and plug-in use with clever ways to make these tools ready for use in each new situation. It was a joy to see all the different plugins being used, and to see what they sounded like, and how best to employ them. I'm sure I will refer back to this excellent course many times as I try the techniques and learn from this fine teacher.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Professional, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, FL Studio, Pro Tools
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Fantastic material
Great material for the intermediate or experienced technicians. This is going to make my work flow much easier and quicker.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Cubase, Reaper
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Great Tutorial
This is a fantastic way to set up for mixing. This has made mixing my projects a joy. Another great tutorial from Groove3
I am a: Logic Pro
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 2 months ago
Outstanding Video Tuition Series on Mix Templates
I'm reasonably new to the professional digital recording world; although I have been a professional musician for about 15 years. This series of videos has helped me improve my workflow massively and really cleaned up my mixing process. My work quality has improved substantially and I am now able to produce much better results in less time for my clients. Happy Days!
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Logic Pro, Pro Tools
Submitted 7 months ago
Easy to use!
I love how it lets me know where I am in viewing, so I don't have to guess what I watched last.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Reaper
Submitted 9 months ago
Exellent! For "everyone" Novis or Expert
Explain even a lot of plugins and how to use them
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Sound for Film/TV, Cubase
Submitted 11 months ago
Very Useful
Very useful and interesting tutorial.
I am a: Hobbyist, Producer, Beat Maker, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Cubase, Studio One
Submitted 1 year ago
Too much marketing of Waves and SoundToys products.
Title pretty much says it.
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Game Designer, Mastering Facility, Reason, Reaper
Response from Customer Service:
The plug-ins used were what Michael has in his studio and setup and he used the ones chosen based on what he uses in his actual gigs.
I completely understand if you prefer to use different plug-ins. The tutorial is to show a guideline and we encourage you to replace the plug-ins you are not familiar with using with your own favorites.
I hope that helps!
Submitted 1 year ago
VERY HELPFUL
made a new template in less than and hour!
Submitted 1 year ago
Great title which tells the subject in a nutshell
This broke down the various ways for setting up during the mixing stages. Explaining while creating the fx buss, mix buss, master buss, group buss, & vca's has been very informational for me to create my own template.
Submitted 1 year ago
An excellent, encompassing course
This video takes you through a full set of modern recording tracks and plug-in use with clever ways to make these tools ready for use in each new situation. It was a joy to see all the different plugins being used, and to see what they sounded like, and how best to employ them. I'm sure I will refer back to this excellent course many times as I try the techniques and learn from this fine teacher.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Professional, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, FL Studio, Pro Tools
Submitted 2 years ago
Fantastic material
Great material for the intermediate or experienced technicians. This is going to make my work flow much easier and quicker.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Cubase, Reaper
Submitted 2 years ago
Great Tutorial
This is a fantastic way to set up for mixing. This has made mixing my projects a joy. Another great tutorial from Groove3
I am a: Logic Pro
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I was classically trained in piano from the age of 7 and had a strong obsession with popular music right throughout my youth. I played keyboards in various rock bands in the mid 80's but found a pronounced leaning towards the technology and computer side of music as samplers and computers became more attainable in the late 80's.
2. What training have you had?
In 1989 I completed my Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Music Technology from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. Much of my tech knowledge in those pre-internet days came from devouring issues of Keyboard, Mix and EM - monthly, without fail.
3. When did you get into recording?
I started getting into recording in 1984 with a Tascam 244 4-track cassette system. In 1989 I moved to a Digidesign Sound Tools II system - a true random access 2 track editor - and that was the beginning of a long association with Digidesign products. I married this hardware up to Opcode's Studio Vision for many years as well as getting in at the ground floor with Pro Tools v1 in 1991. I've been a Pro Tools user since then right up to the current day.
4. People you have worked with/for?
I've been lucky enough to work with a huge cross section of talent within the Australian music scene. Names like: INXS, Little River Band, John Farnham, Kasey Chambers and Richard Clapton. Plus music editing on breakout movies like Shine and Strictly Ballroom with Oscar nominated composer, David Hirschfelder.
5. Why are you so good at training people?
I think I'm good at training because I really love this stuff - I genuinely want to show people how cool these tools are. Even as a fully grown adult, I still find myself getting excited like a little kid about the magic we can do with our systems these days and wondering how far it can go in the years to come. I hope that enthusiasm is contagious!
Products by Michael
-
tutorial videoAuto-Tune 7 Explained
Officially authorized by the makers of Auto-Tune, Antares Audio Technologies, this collection of video tutorials will leave no Auto-Tune 7 question unanswered. Shot with Auto-Tune 7, the series contains in-depth video tutorials running over 2 1/2 hours in length.
-
tutorial videoBuilding a DAW Mix Template
Studio wiz Michael Costa brings you in-depth video tutorials focused on building an awesome mixing template for your DAW. See how professionals get a mix done with this time-saving practice that allows you to concentrate on the mix!
-
tutorial videoDSP Quattro Explained
DSP Quattro offers a unique way to process and edit audio and build CDs. In this comprehensive video tutorial series, studio expert Michael Costa unlocks the secrets of DSP Quattro and gets you running with this powerful studio tool.
-
tutorial videoKush Plug-Ins Explained
Do you use Kush Audio plug-ins? Well, DAW guru Michael Costa is back and this time he is taking on Kush Audio's UBK-1 motion generating compressor and the Clariphonic dual channel parallel EQ. Michael breaks down the interfaces and how these two amazing, analog sounding plug-ins can be used on several different types of instruments.
-
tutorial videoMastering in the Box Explained
This new series from studio wiz Michael Costa shows you the basics of mastering in your computer using typical plug-ins, and how to address many common issues found in recordings, as well as as more advanced techniques to solve other trickier problems, and get your songs and productions sounding their best!
You might be also interested in
The All-Access Pass gives you just that, instant online access to every single video tutorial currently on the site and any ones that get added during your membership.
Producer pro Chris Herrera delivers an in-depth video series all about creating that "Vintage Vibe" in your digital recordings! See how to craft realistic sounding lo-fi effects, tape and tube saturation, vintage reverbs and more, using both stock and select 3rd party plug-ins.
Adam Pollard, aka Multiplier, returns in this in-depth video tutorial series teaching you how to avoid common pitfalls and “gotchas” when creating cutting edge EDM music. With these tried and true tips, you’ll learn to make pumping tracks that avoid tired cliches!
Adam Pollard aka Multiplier returns in this power packed video tutorial series of best practices for producing modern, cutting edge EDM music. You'll learn 10 of the most important things to do in your EDM tracks that will make your productions legit and for real!
Chris Herrera brings you insightful high frequency videos when mixing tracks in your DAW! Discover cool ways to enhance, smooth out and tame the upper frequencies of your productions, so they're easy to listen to and sound great. These top end tutorials are perfect for those just starting out to mix in any DAW, as well as for more intermediate producers and mix engineers.
Gary Hiebner delivers cool "getting creative videos" when using your DAW! Learn all kinds of ways to make interesting new sounds and effects with any DAW. These creative DAW tutorials are perfect for those just starting out using any DAW, as well as for more intermediate DAW users.
Gary Hiebner presents in-depth Digital Performer videos on mixing and mastering! Learn the first steps to take when getting ready to mix and master in Digital Performer, as well as more advanced workflows and tips & tricks. These Digital Performer tutorials are for those just starting out to mix and master with DP, as well as for more intermediate Digital Performer users.
Larry Holcombe presents creative Eventide Anthology tutorials with downloadable WAV files so you can follow along! Discover creative ways you can use Eventide Anthology XI plug-ins on your tracks and productions and get new exciting sounds and effects. These Eventide plug-in tutorials are for those who have some experience with the plug-ins, but want to know cool ways to use them.
Larry Holcombe brings you in-depth Neutron mix tutorials! Download the session files and mix along with Larry using these Neutron 3 videos to get a professional, polished sound for your tracks and productions. These Neutron mixing tutorials are perfect for those just starting out to mix with Neutron 3.
Adam Pollard presents Low End and Sub-Bass tutorials! Learn how to produce and engineer proper low end and sub-bass for your tracks and productions, creating impact and power. These sub bass production videos are designed to help you create a great bottom end for your songs, giving them a fat, tight sound.
Kenny Gioia brings you a collection of mixing with Pro Tools tutorials! Learn how to mix music using Pro Tools 2019 and get a professional sound. These Pro Tools 2019 mixing videos are designed for the person who knows their way around Pro Tools, but wants to see and hear how to use Pro Tools to mix a song and get that
Dynamics processors—often overused and sometimes misunderstood—can make or break mixing and mastering projects. This book goes beyond explaining how dynamics processors work, giving you essential tips on how their proper application can help you make better music. Written in a clear, practical, non-intimidating style, topics include how to apply limiters, compressors, noise gates, expanders, maximizers, saturation, and multiband dynamics, whether in hardware or software form.
Great recordings are for nothing if the mix doesn’t present those tracks in the best possible way. This book is all about how to make mixes that pull the listener in. It’s not just about the technology, but the art of mixing as well. The book is written in a clear, practical, non-intimidating style. Topics include the following: