X1 Mixing & Mastering Workflows

I make use of the visual wave forms to advise me. I record and mix a lot, so the amount of time spent matters. I try to be efficient about it by bouncing down a final mix and normalizing. I look for the loudest moments of the mix. If they are just a few, I go back and use volume automation to lower those moments > rebounce > renormalize. Once I have it close, I apply a tiny amount of boost 11 to trim just a couple of peaks (less than 1db).

Another thing to watch for after the bounce is if one channel is louder than another.

Remember to play with the channel tools to narrow stereo spread maybe...

I've talked about this before. But ...here it is again.

I always try to start with the end in mind. From the very beginning. 

As I start to record tracks I will insert my "sweeting plug" Ozone, and a barely audible Cakewalk Studioverb 2 reverb into the master buss and choose my "starting point" preset which I have tweeked and saved.  (I have never really liked the sound of the Ozone reverbs) 

As I track various instruments I will go for the sound from the track that I want. Although generally, the guitars and bass and drums and other instruments have no plugs in the tracks.... generally.  I also add envelopes into the tracks at the beginning and use manual insertion of nodes to bring the instruments in and out as needed. Almost none of the tracks are without envelopes, even the bass and drums which generally need to remain constant. With an envelope, in the track view I can easily drag the line up or down to tweek the volume.....and the envelopes are indespensible for editing out parts, and especially on the ending fade at the track level. 

I usually set up busses for vocals, guitars, bass & drums, keys, and more if I need, it all depends on the song. 

In the busses is where I place reverb and other FX. 

So..... as I track and tweek the tracks and busses, I'm moving toward the finished, polished project from the start. 

By the time I get to or near the end, all I need to do is tweek the envelopes and plugs a bit  and export the mix. Everything is pretty much in place and sounding good and is ready to go.

This is simply how I do it. Not necessarily how you or anyone else should do it.   It is but one way to get to a finished project.