I've gotten several questions this week regarding the best way to set up the mixer routing inside your DAW. In this video I'll show you how I set up most of my projects. You can also click the link below to download a free graphic I've created for your reference. Make sure to leave a comment after you watch this video as I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Download the image show in this video here: http://bit.ly/track-routing
Hi David. I started with Reaper, have tried several others(Cubase, Ableton Live9, Sonar Platinum etc..)which I still own,but keep coming back to where I started. I was wicked happy to stumble across your site!
Quick question: Is theme from this vid available for dl?
Hi Theodore, yup, this redirect link will get you what you need. https://homemusicstudio1.com/rea-evolution-theme
Thanks!
Hi Dave
Just a quick question….is this routing necessary if your project is done all inside the computer? I mean if I’m not using any live instruments. Would you still rout like this anyway….and if so can I do this in Cubase?
Best
Keith
Hi Keith, this all depends on what tracks are in your projects. I would still route using Buss Mixes for sure and anytime your using FX’s like reverbs/delays, its best in most cases to use Aux tracks for these as well. Now that said, this is not the only way to route tracks in your projects and it is not something I clam to be. This is the routing I most often use for the reasons mentioned and my goal in this post was to show those who don’t normally take advantage of routing at all, to start thinking that way.
I’m not a cubase user but yes, Cubase can do a lot of this routing style as well.
Hey Dave
1st I wanna say thanks for the understanding compression tutorial. Until viewing that I didn’t really have a grasp on Parrallel compression. This routing video is Awesome! Routing has been something that I’ve used scarcely and mostly in the form of routing mono effects to drums, snares or simply tuning up the send knob for my reverbs or delays. I happen to use FL Studio 11 with the Waves diamond bundle and This complexed routing system gives me a whole new outlook on achieving a crisp fat sound without overloading my tracks which ultimately puts a submission hold on my processing power. It’s gonna take awhile to study and apply this to all the crazy plugins.. but I’m confident I can get it down.
Now for my questions. #1 what’s the advantage of having a master bus containing last minute preps routing into the master channel rather than doing it on the master?
#2 Will you ever post post a start to finish mixing and mAstering video? I would imagine you’d probably charge a fee for that one. Lol
SINCERLY Ebon Coleman.
Hi Ebon, thanks for the comments and questions. So glad to be of help to you! On the start to finish tutorial, I’ve actually taken 9 months to create the Backstage Coaching Club and that is exactly what this is about. In it I cover the 3 phases of every pro mix and walk through recording, mixing, and mastering your projects 1 step at a time. You can check that out from inside the members area if you want more detail.
On the master vs print track. Well this is one that there isn’t really a right or wrong here. Some of this routing mindset for me comes from the ideas of analog mixing with nothing on a master fader, I’ve just followed this work flow into my DAW. Now that said, I prefer to use my master fader to monitor only and all other tracks for processing and automation. So I use tools like stereo width and frequency analyzing directly on my master to see exactly what I’ve getting.
I’ll do final NY buss compression and automation as well as overall mix level adjustments on my print track. Is this right or wrong? Not really ;) Just the way I roll is all. Ha ha. Hope that answers your questions some.
Best
Thanks David this was helpful gives me a better way to route my mix during final mixdown when using EQ and Compression…
Logic Pro X is an amazing program. I use it on my Macbook, and discover a new feature about it almost everyday. It offers control over any aspect of audio recording that someone would want. Thanks, David, for sharing your expertise!
BW
Thanks for chiming in Bill, glad to hear from someone who has used Logic Pro. Best!
Hello David
Unfortunately I am yet to get started with Home Recording but I thought I would look at what you was offering. I found it way over my head & believe it’s more for people experienced in home recording, giving them other options to carry out mixing.
If you had of actually recorded and shown how you routed the tracks it would have made a lot more sense, I lack the knowledge of why you do what you do.
The blue line ? which looked purple to me was confusing ?
It wasn’t meant to be a professional presentation so I’m good with that.
Regards
Michael
Hi Michael, this particular video was in answer to many questions I’ve received from community members who have been recording for a while now. I completely understand your confusion as if you’ve not yet started then very little would make sense.
I would suggest to start here if you haven’t seen this yet. https://homemusicstudio1.com/home-recording/ as I do give an overview of Recording 101. I will say also that all of my premium courses are geared toward the beginning to intermediate home music studio enthusiasts. So getting a basic understanding of the process will go along ways.
Stick around long enough and you’ll get there.
Thanks for the comment!
One more comment: I purchased Reaper, consider it probably the most serious DAW I’ve tried, but didn’t want to agonize over the instrument library that I would have had to build. I use Logic and can’t seem to live without their sounds. In your opinion, does Logic compare at all with Reaper and Pro-Tools in the ease of routing department? I look forward to your reply!
So straight up, I don’t own a mac so I have never used logic personally (even in my protools days I ran it on PC). That said, Logic Pro is a favorite among many Mac users and I don’t consider logic to be in the same class as a garage band or something like that. Logic seems to hold its own from those who use it so I don’t think you’ll be horribly limited at all.
Thanks for that, David. I have been struggling with correct routing lately, so this is timely. As with most of your information, it is going to take a little time to digest all the pertinent details. Thanks again!
Hi Dave,
would it be possible to download the project file so I can twiddle with it in Reaper?
Thanks
Hi Willie, I don’t provide the full project files for my songs outside of those inside the Backstage Coaching Club and other premium tutorials (copyright issues). That said, in effort to help, here is the Reaper project with no .wav files or plug-ins. The exact routing and tracks are in it. So you can drop in your own waves/plug-ins and go from there. This will show you the exact routing I used for this video. Hope this helps. http://bit.ly/1ctZPaA
Hi David,
You bet it will help!! Thank you SOO MUCH for the file, it’s greatly appreciated. I have been struggling with some of the routing options within Reaper and this along with your excellent video will go a long way to help.
Every Blessing,
Willie
A couple great ideas I’ve never thought of. Using a narrower reverb for just kick and snare. And having a master “all FX” buss to ride throughout the song. Cool. I will try these and a few other tweaks on things I was already doing. Thanks!
Thanks for the comment Kurt and glad to help!