Building a DAW Mix Template
Chapter 1 : Setup
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2:56 Introduction
Michael gives an overview of the philosophy behind this tutorial.
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3:07 The Initial Setup
Michael explains how the tutorial will progress and we begin the setup.
Chapter 2 : Reverbs
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9:12 Room
For our smallest ambience, we've got three allotted options.
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3:27 Plate
For vocals and drums, the Waves Abbey Road Plates sounds excellent.
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3:47 Spring
Explore two spring reverb options to give guitars a wonderful presence.
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2:23 VVV
See another reverb with a colored tail to add dimension to our tracks.
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1:41 H-Verb
Explore some non-linear options with this amazingly versatile Waves reverb.
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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
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9:59 1/16 & 1/8
Discover how these two timed basic delays can give a rhythmic backbone to the tracks.
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5:05 Tape Slap
Here, Michael uses a traditional effect in a very aggressive way.
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4:00 Short Taps
See how a number of short delays can sometimes be a better option than a traditional reverb.
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4:09 EchoBoy
Our first colored, timed delay - the "do it all" EchoBoy.
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3:41 H-Delay
Explore the famed ping-pong mode of the H-Delay - a favorite of many.
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3:16 Primal
Based on the Lexicon Prime Time, this SoundToys recreation has a wonderfully warm sound unto itself.
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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.
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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
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7:42 Excalibur (or variant)
See how Exponential Audio's Excalibur is deployed but alternatively, we can use Valhalla DSP's UberMod.
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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.
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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
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7:36 Sending Some FX to Other FX
We explore the options opened up by create multi-fx chains.
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8:06 The "Drum Squish" Parallel Path
Michael shows the thickness and presence we can attain by having a second, heavily compressed drum channel.
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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.
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2:26 The "ALL" Subgroups
Michael explains these subgroup channels where all our instrumental groups come together.
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12:16 Mix Bus FX & Metering
Michael breaks down first the routing logic and then the processing applied over the mix bus.
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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
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6:21 Importing the Template into your Song
See Michael now demo the actual song we're using and then importing our template into.
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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.
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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.
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12:01 More FX on Drums, Guitars, & Keys Pt. 1
Michael continues to explore effect options over some of the drums, guitars and keyboards.
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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!
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Reviews
Submitted 3 months ago
Solid Tutorial...
Good overal demonstration and articulation. The only fuzzy part for me was the use of VCAs— and how they differed from the main busses in the mix.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Logic Pro, Pro Tools
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 6 months ago
Fantastic!
I've been searching for a really good template for quite some time now. This tutorial was very good! I created my new template as I watched. I will definitely be using it!
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 9 months ago
Very good
I’m very satisfied with this
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year 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 1 year 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 2 years 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 2 years ago
Very Useful
Very useful and interesting tutorial.
I am a: Hobbyist, Producer, Beat Maker, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Cubase, Studio One
Submitted 2 years 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 2 years 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 2 years 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
Reviews
Submitted 3 months ago
Solid Tutorial...
Good overal demonstration and articulation. The only fuzzy part for me was the use of VCAs— and how they differed from the main busses in the mix.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Logic Pro, Pro Tools
Submitted 6 months ago
Fantastic!
I've been searching for a really good template for quite some time now. This tutorial was very good! I created my new template as I watched. I will definitely be using it!
Submitted 9 months ago
Very good
I’m very satisfied with this
Submitted 1 year 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 1 year 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 2 years 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 2 years ago
Very Useful
Very useful and interesting tutorial.
I am a: Hobbyist, Producer, Beat Maker, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Cubase, Studio One
Submitted 2 years 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 2 years ago
VERY HELPFUL
made a new template in less than and hour!
Submitted 2 years 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.
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
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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.
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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!
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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.
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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.
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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!
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