Automation

Unless you’ve got plenty of hands to spare, automation is essential to refining the perfect mix. Mark Cousins investigates a more controlled approach to mixing.

The rise of automation has been an inevitable part of the development of contemporary recording practice – where increasing track counts make the process of creating a mix an ever-more-complicated exercise. Back in the 60s, automation would have been largely irrelevant – with only four tracks to balance, mixing was hardly a demanding exercise. As track counts spiralled throughout the 70s, however, it became apparent that the humble mix engineer needed more help (and hands!) to create a complete mix.

This feature first appeared in Music Tech Magazine issue 20
Filed under Ten Minute Masters

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