Setting levels, panning, and automation

Think about the Mona Lisa for a second – yes, I’m talking about the famous painting. It’s actually quite a busy composition: in the frame, there is a young woman, as well as hills, trees, rivers, paths, clouds, and even a bridge. Yet Leonardo da Vinci arranged them in such a way that when you look at the painting, your eyes are immediately locked on the main subject of the composition.

This is what we strive for in a mix. You have several instruments and vocals laid out across several tracks in your Song, and you must clearly and unmistakably direct the listener’s attention to the most important element in the music, while also providing a fulfilling background.

There are several tools and methods for creating a sense of composition and perspective in a mix session. In this section, we’ll cover two of these tools – volume and panning. Then we will talk about how you can manipulate these tools dynamically...