2012/07/30 11:42:05
cychan7570
Is there a hardware device that we can use for mixing? I mean this hardware should have something like the presets of mixes for R&B and other genre; instruments like drums, bass, piano, etc. I have tried Toontrack EZMix, but I dun think it is very good. Any opinion? Thx.
2012/07/30 12:21:33
M_Glenn_M
Interesting thought. 
Sort of a "Do it all for me button"? 
I'm afraid it might still be just time and experience in the end.
2012/07/30 13:27:11
konradh
lt would be cool, but I don't know of such a thing.  I usually get a CD that is in a similar style to what I am mixing (and, of course, one I like and think sounds good) and then use it as a reference.  Is my bass louder or quieter?  Are my kick and bass in the same relative level to each other?  Is my mix brigther or less bright?  How do the vocal levels compare? etc.

What would really be cool would be a software plug-in that was smart enough to analyze the main components of a CD and then set your levels and EQs after you told it which tracks were which.  I can imagine something like that happening in 5 years.   The first step would be an automation tool that would keep things consistent across an album you were mixing.
2012/07/30 13:41:46
jerrypettit
In addition to EZMix, there is Izotope's Alloy and Nectar, with presets for instruments and vocals respectively.  Izotope's Ozone has presets to get you started with mastering.  

Har-Bal can help you with EQ-ing after the mix.  Somewhere on the Internet, I've seen comparisons of volume levels for the different genre's, e.g., bass is higher in R&B and metal.

People mock the solutions above for being "Magic Buttons", but I'm just a hobbyist, I have them all, and they give me a nice "head start" and I think you can learn a lot from seeing what they do.
2012/07/30 14:14:40
M_Glenn_M
No question that I use the Prochannel and other presets for that concept in a limited way.(No pun)
2012/07/30 14:22:41
M_Glenn_M
I'll have a "Hit Record" preset please.
I remember thinking the architectural CAD program I paid $3500 for was going to to it all for me automatically (and my clients often think it does too). 
It turned out to be way better and faster than drafting by hand for sure, but certainly no magic bullet.
There was still mostly a lot of human judgement and experience needed.
Soon everyone had CAD, the bar was raised and we all needed to design a LOT more homes to earn the same money.
2012/07/30 14:24:20
daveny5
Why do you need a hardware device for mixing if you have Sonar? 

If you're looking to bypass having to learn how to mix and master, you should consider using a studio. 
2012/07/30 16:27:22
konradh
As I have said before to much disdain and insult , i think presets are a great way to learn.  You see what the preset sounds like, you learn the purpose of various controls and tweak them to hear the effect, and soon you are capable.  This works best if the presets are not extraordinarily complex.  For example, it would be hard to learn the functions of a compressor from a preset that had two compressors in series with one side-chained.
 
I don't know the poster's reasons, but I find it much easier and more intutive to mix on a hardware console that dragging faders and turnking knobs with the mouse—although there is certainly nothing wrong with the on-screen approach if you like it.

I use the hardware console for about 90% of mixing but will click on something if it is right there on the screen but scrolled off the hardware console.  Similarly, I use the hardware transport buttons but if my right hand is busy working on Melodyne or something, my left hand will hit the space bar on my keyboard tray.  Whatever makes sense.
2012/07/30 16:42:21
Cactus Music
But how could a hardware mixer even start to mix tracks to a certain "sound or style",,, it is lacking the most important tool "ears". How would it begin to know that the bass was to muddy or the snare needed more reverb?? geez...
2012/07/30 17:17:34
Guitarhacker
Do it in the Box.
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