Mix automation is an important part of mixing. You can achieve a lot with automation, like adding more balance, feeling, and control to your mix. In general, I usually tend to add automation at the last stage of the mix.
Today I want to show you how I used mix automation to add creativity and special FX in a mix I worked on. Now this is not something that I do on every mix but I always keep my ears open to experiment when needed. Sometimes, one small element can add a lot to a mix.
In this song, I did 2 things. I first used automation to add overdrive to my drum bus but only on the drum fills. Then in another part of the song I used automation to pan the drums hard left, add some overdrive and send the drums to a room effect (as a send effect) that is panned 80% to the right.
The reason I did this is very simple. I wanted to bring more energy in the groovy trumpet solo part that followed. So by adding a filtered overdrive effect etc…it toned down that part of the song. The part that followed ended up being way more punchy and groovy when the drums got back to their normal sound. I hope you enjoy the video!
Music by FREE*
http://freethemusic.bandcamp.com
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