![Everyone loves an efficiency hack, so if you're looking for ways to cut valuable time from your mixing process, then it's time to join the chain gang...](https://cdn.magzter.com/1387538174/1718109598/articles/R6nT4oV6y1720085306492/EVERYONE-LOVES-AN-EFFICIENCY-HACK-SO-IF-YOURE-LOOKING-FOR-WAYS-TO-CUT-VALUABLE-TIME-FROM-YOUR-MIXING-PROCESS-THEN-ITS-TIME-TO-JOIN-THE-CHAIN-GANG.jpg)
But although you might get lucky on a few occasions, mixing usually requires a more nuanced and delicate balance of level, panning and processing.
That being said, the more you mix, the more you'll find the same approaches seem to work for similar circumstances. So, when you find something that works, being able to recreate that approach quickly is both efficient and satisfying. That's what we can achieve with a tried-and-tested mixing chain or two. Thankfully, the DAW domain provides the perfect environment for saving and recalling presets, and you're probably already familiar with factory or self-created session templates, synth presets and individual plugin presets. So, taking that one step further with complete channel strip mixing chains is a natural progression.
Across the following pages, we'll show you how to create your own mixing chains from scratch. Each chain will target a specific instrument, such as drums, vocals, basses and keys. But we'll also look at chains for other mixing tasks such as the master bus, auxiliaries and special effects.
Although mixing chains offer a flexible approach and for the most part don't require any additional plugins, plugin developers spotted the demand, and there are now many task-specific multi-stage plugins available to buy. These 'black box' designs cover a lot of ground, and we discuss some of the options later in the feature.
One of the best is LOLCOMP from Mixing Night Audio and this month we're delighted to bring you our own CM version. Grab your copy and let's make some chains!
>Step by step
1. Basic chain setup
2. Vocal chain
Plugin chainers Although saving mixing chains using your DAW features is fine, if you're using more than one DAW, or want a bit more flexibility with routing, then a third party plugin chainer could be a better solution for creating and managing your mixing chains.
This story is from the August 2024 edition of Computer Music.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the August 2024 edition of Computer Music.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
![The Bitwig round table: a decade of innovation](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5273/1729620/_4CEWnv_T1720088997523/THE-BITWIG-ROUND-TABLE-A-DECADE-OF-INNOVATION.jpg)
The Bitwig round table: a decade of innovation
In 2014, a DAW landed that not only rattled the industry's big players, but brought a workflow that encouraged experimentation. To celebrate ten years of Bitwig Studio, we brought its key figures around a table to reflect on a journey that’s still they promise just starting...
![Sampleson Drumbada](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5273/1729620/2sidA-Wpa1720088446945/SAMPLESON-DRUMBADA.jpg)
Sampleson Drumbada
IF you're searching for more dynamic and rhythmically complex drums, Drumbada can help you change up the pace
![Ray Volpe](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5273/1729620/61HIbn0l21720087928265/RAY-VOLPE.jpg)
Ray Volpe
A titan of the bass scene, showered with acclaim by both his peers and an enraptured audience, Ray Volpe's contemporary spin on dubstep is both earth-shakingly impactful and sonically multi-hued. We caught up with Volpe and discover how he assembles his brand of crowd-pleasing ultra-bangers fully in-the-box...
![JASON GRAVES](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5273/1729620/QlGeyEDmI1720087002662/JASON-GRAVES.jpg)
JASON GRAVES
Harnessing sounds wrangled from a bespoke, hand-crafted sculpture, alongside a legendary synth and a deft mastery of software-shaping tools, composer Jason Graves further justifies his position of the world’s most in-demand score providers with nis latest project the oil rig-set horror Still Wakes the Deep...
![A virtual future?](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5273/1729620/3Dywjv1IC1720086493052/A-VIRTUAL-FUTURE.jpg)
A virtual future?
Like many tech-focused magazines, we've been entranced by the latest glut of augmented and virtual reality headset releases from the likes of Apple and Meta. Our question: how good are they from a music production POV?
![LOLCOMP LITE CM](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5273/1729620/1pVr1s45b1720086122376/LOLCOMP-LITE-CM.jpg)
LOLCOMP LITE CM
As much as we love creating chains from scratch, for quicker results, Computer Musics very own edition of LOLCOMP Lite could be just What youre after, and it’s free with this month's issue
![Everyone loves an efficiency hack, so if you're looking for ways to cut valuable time from your mixing process, then it's time to join the chain gang...](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5273/1729620/R6nT4oV6y1720085306492/EVERYONE-LOVES-AN-EFFICIENCY-HACK-SO-IF-YOURE-LOOKING-FOR-WAYS-TO-CUT-VALUABLE-TIME-FROM-YOUR-MIXING-PROCESS-THEN-ITS-TIME-TO-JOIN-THE-CHAIN-GANG.jpg)
Everyone loves an efficiency hack, so if you're looking for ways to cut valuable time from your mixing process, then it's time to join the chain gang...
When we mix, it would be ideal if we could load up a simple one-knob-style plugin, choose a preset, set an amount and simply move onto the next sound.
![BLEASS Arpeggiator](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5273/1638691/LWS3DwfoB1710944717282/BLEASS-ARPEGGIATOR.jpg)
BLEASS Arpeggiator
Classic synth-based arpeggiators' up-down patterns can be tedious, says Stuart Adams. Can Arpeggiator bring the variability he craves?
![Synthogy Ivory 3 German D](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5273/1638691/sCsouMCP71710944445154/SYNTHOGY-IVORY-3-GERMAN-D.jpg)
Synthogy Ivory 3 German D
One of the most highly regarded piano libraries around gets an update. Does it strike a chord with our reviewer, Herr Roland Schmidt?
![MODALICS BITFUZZER](https://reseuro.magzter.com/100x125/articles/5273/1638691/BZ1UfPLPu1710944198829/MODALICS-BITFUZZER.jpg)
MODALICS BITFUZZER
Distortion can be a great effect for enlivening and mashing up sounds, and this month we've got you a plugin that can do both