Multitrack Mixer
Last updated
Last updated
Song One's built-in mixer allows you to adjust the volume level and tone characteristics of imported backing tracks. The mixer offers up to 50 channels with EQ to mix a multitrack. A single stereo track is automatically assigned to the mixer's first channel.
The mixer's settings are saved per song and are automatically recalled when a song is reselected.
You can access the mixer when the play mode is active:
Tap/Click on the timeline icon of the play mode toolbar and then tap/click on the right 'Mix' knob icon (to the left of the timeline):
A Mixer appears above the timeline with 50 channel knobs accessible via left (or right) swipe gestures.
If you have not yet imported an audio track you can do so via the channel's pop-up menu:
Import a single track by tapping/clicking on the two arrows below the channel knob and make a selection from the 'Audio' submenu.
Alternatively you may import a multitrack by tapping/clicking on the waveform icon of the play mode toolbar. (If a link icon is shown instead of a waveform icon you access the menu by performing a long tap/click on the link icon.)
Use the mixer knobs to adjust the volume level of the imported tracks as well as the overall level of the 'Main' stereo output.
The 'Main' knob (left) can either be used to adjust the stereo volume level or to adjust the volume level (and pan) of the built-in metronome:
Tap/Click on the metronome icon to switch between these two volume level adjustments.
To switch between the volume level and pan adjustments tap/click on the stereo icon next to the level indicator of the knob.
When performing live the metronome is commonly panned all the way to the left while all audio tracks are panned all the way to the right. This allows the performer to hear both the metronome (click track) and the backing tracks via in-ear monitors while the audience only hears the right 'backing track' signal via the loud speakers.
To adjust the pan of one of the 50 audio backing tracks tap/click on the stereo icon next to the level indicator. (Tap/Click on the stereo icon again to return to the knob's volume level control.)
Tapping/Clicking on the track name below a knob opens a pop-up menu to...
customize the channel's name,
access the channel's EQ,
show or hide the audio track's waveform in the timeline,
or to solo or mute the backing track.
An equalizer, often abbreviated as EQ, allows you to adjust the balance of frequencies in audio signals.
Equalizers are used in sound reinforcement to reshape the tonal characteristics of instruments/tracks and provide separation between similar sounds. The goal is to create a sonically pleasing mix in which all instruments can be clearly heard by accentuating or attenuating frequencies.
Each of Song One's mixer channels offers an independent EQ. The mixer's EQ settings are automatically saved and recalled when a song is reselected.
To adjust the EQ of a specific channel tap/click on the label underneath the track's volume knob and select 'EQ' from the pop-up menu.
The EQ of the selected channel will open in a floating window above the mixer:
At the center of the channel's EQ are four gain (volume) knobs:
The top 3 gain knobs allow you to improve the tonal balance of the mix by boosting or cutting the bass section (Low Gain), the middle section (Mid Gain) or the treble section (High Gain) of specific instruments or tracks.
The bottom gain knob ('Make Up') allows you to offset changes in the audio signal's volume once the signal has been processed by the EQ.
Turn a gain knob right to increase the signal of the selected frequency and make the signal louder.
Turn a gain knob left to decrease the signal of the selected frequency and reduce its volume.
By default the gain knobs allow you to make broad adjustments to the audio signal. The EQ's default settings are identical to those of popular live mixing boards:
The high frequency gain knob (HF) has a shelving filter to boost or cut the signal above 12 kHz.
The middle frequency gain knob (MF) has a peaking filter to boost or cut the signal centered around 2.5 kHz.
The low frequency gain knob (LF) has a shelving filter to boost or cut the signal below 80 Hz.
Tap/Click on the knob icon at the top of the EQ window and select 'Reset EQ' to recall the default settings. (Resetting the EQ only applies to the currently selected track.)
To bypass the EQ tap/click on the power icon at the top left of the EQ window. This allows you to compare the processed audio signal with the unprocessed one.
To 'solo' the active track tap/click on the button marked with an 'S'. This will mute all other tracks and allows you to concentrate on the equalized one.
To edit the EQ settings of another track tap/click on the track's label (top center) and make a selection from the pop-up menu.
To close the EQ window tap/click on the circled 'x' at the top right.
Each gain knob has two frequency knobs, one to the left and one to the right. These allow you to make more precise adjustments to the audio signal.
The frequency knobs enable you to reshape the tonal characteristics of instruments to separate similar sounds (by boosting or cutting specific frequencies).
The bandwidth control knob (left) adjusts the width of the frequency range.
The frequency control knob (right) moves the center of the frequency range (i.e. from the bass section with a low Hz value into the middle section with a higher kHz value).
To adjust the specific frequency of an instrument:
Change the volume via the low, mid or high gain knob (center),
adjust the frequency knob (right) to locate the frequency of the instrument,
and then vary the bandwidth knob (left) to omit or include the neighboring frequencies.
The selectors to the left and to the right of the 'Make Up' gain knob allow you to toggle between a peaking filter and a shelving filter.
A shelving filter gradually boosts or cuts frequencies above or below a threshold. This type of filter is used in Hi-Fi equipment to adjust the bass and treble. The bandwith control knob (BW) allows you to adjust the curve of the shelving filter.
Example of a shelving filter's frequency curve with a high bandwidth (BW) setting:
Example of a shelving filter's frequency curve with a low bandwidth (BW) setting:
A peaking filter produces a bell-shaped curve to give you more control over the frequencies affected by the gain adjustments. The bandwith control knob (BW) allows you to adjust the width of the peaking filter.
Example of a peaking filter's frequency curve with a high bandwidth (BW) setting:
Example of a peaking filter's frequency curve with a low bandwidth (BW) setting:
To toggle between the peaking and shelving filters of the high frequency band tap/click on the switch above 'HF' (left).
To toggle between the peaking and shelving filters of the low frequency band tap/click on the switch above 'LF' (right).
A high-cut filter allows low-frequency signals to pass through, while attenuating high-frequency signals. Song One's high-cut filter affects audio signals above the 10 kHz frequency range.
Example of the high-cut filter's frequency curve:
To enable/disable the high-cut filter on a track tap/click on the selector to the left of the make up gain knob.
Engage the high-cut filter on instruments which produce a sound in the low to mid frequency range. This helps to reduce high frequency interference and adds clarity to the mix.
A low-cut filter allows high-frequency signals to pass through, while attenuating low-frequency signals. Song One's low-cut filter affects audio signals below the 75 Hz frequency range.
Example of the low-cut filter's frequency curve:
To enable/disable the low-cut filter on a track tap/click on the selector to the right of the make up gain knob.
Engage the low-cut filter on instruments which produce a sound in the high to mid frequency range. This helps to reduce low frequency hum and rumble.
