Mackie FINALMIX TRACKTION User Manual

U S E R ’ S G U I D E

Final Mix

For Tracktion

™

VST

Plug-in for Software Audio Recording Applications

By Acuma Labs

User’s Guide

Mackie Software License

Please read this license carefully before using the accompanying Software. By downloading and using the Software, you are agreeing to be bound by the terms of this license. Software as used herein means all computer code (both source and object) including, but not limited to, all interfaces, navigational devices, search engines, databases, menus, menu structures or arrangements, drivers, development tools, icons, operational instructions, scripts, commands, and syntax, whether created, or licensed from third parties by LOUD Technologies Inc., including all associated documentation.

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(i) if the Software is supplied to the Department of Defense (DOD), the Software is classied as “Commercial Computer Software” and the Government is acquiring only “restricted rights” in the Software and its documentation as that term is dened in Clause 252.227-701(c)(1) of the DFARS; and

(ii) if the Software is supplied to any unit or agency of the United States Government other than DOD, the Government’s rights in the Software and its documentation will be dened in Clause 52.227-19(c)(2) of the FAR or, in the case of NASA, in clause 18-52.227-86(d) of the NASA supplement to the FAR.

7. Limited Warranty on Software Media (if provided on disks). LOUD Technologies Inc. warrants the disks on which the Software is recorded to be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use for a period of ninety (90) days from the date of purchase as evidenced by a copy of the purchase receipt. LOUD Technologies’ entire liability and your exclusive remedy will be the replacement of the defective disk when it is returned postage prepaid to LOUD Technologies at the address below or a Mackie authorized representative with a copy of the purchase receipt. LOUD Technologies will have no responsibility to replace a disk damaged by accident, abuse or misapplication. THIS WARRANTY SPECIFICALLY EXCLUDES ANY OTHER WARRANTY RELATED TO SOFTWARE MEDIA, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES ON THE DISKS, SUCH AS THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. THIS WARRANTY GIVES YOU SPECIFIC LEGAL RIGHTS, AND YOU MAY ALSO HAVE OTHER RIGHTS, WHICH VARY FROM STATE TO STATE AND FROM COUNTRY TO COUNTRY.

User’s Guide

8. Disclaimer of Warranty on Software. You expressly acknowledge and agree that use of the Software is at your sole risk. The Software and related documentation are provided “AS IS” and without warranty of any kind. LOUD TECHNOLOGIES EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE OR USE. LOUD TECHNOLOGIES DOES NOT WARRANT THAT THE FUNCTIONS CONTAINED IN THE SOFTWARE WILL MEET YOUR REQUIREMENTS, OR THAT THE OPERATION OF THE SOFTWARE WILL BE UNINTERRUPTED OR ERROR-FREE, OR THAT DEFECTS IN THE SOFTWARE WILL BE CORRECTED. FURTHERMORE, LOUD TECHNOLOGIES DOES NOT WARRANT OR MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS REGARDING THE USE OR THE RESULTS OF THE USE OF THE SOFTWARE OR RELATED DOCUMENTATION IN TERMS OF THEIR CORRECTNESS, ACCURACY, RELIABILITY, OR OTHERWISE. NO ORAL OR WRITTEN INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY LOUD TECHNOLOGIES OR A MACKIE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR IN ANY WAY INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THIS WARRANTY. SHOULD THE SOFTWARE PROVE DEFECTIVE, YOU (AND NOT LOUD TECHNOLOGIES OR ANY MACKIE AUTHORIZED REPRESENTATIVE) ASSUME THE ENTIRE COST OF ALL NECESSARY SERVICING, REPAIR OR CORRECTION. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OF IMPLIED WARRANTIES, SO THE ABOVE EXCLUSION MAY NOT APPLY TO YOU.

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11. Complete Agreement. This License constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the use of the Software and related documentation, and supersedes all prior or contemporaneous understandings or agreements, written or oral, regarding such subject matter. No amendment to or modication of this License will be binding unless in writing and signed by a duly authorized representative of LOUD Technologies Inc.

LOUD Technologies Inc. • 16220 Wood-Red Road NE • Woodinville, WA 98072 • USA

VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.

User’s Guide

Iconography

This icon will lead you to some further explanations of features and practical tips.

This icon marks information that is very important, so please make sure you have a read.

This icon does not appear in this guide.

User’s Guide

Note: Visit our website at www.mackie.com to obtain the latest manuals and

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“Mackie” and the “Running Man” gure are trademarks or registered trademarks of LOUD Technologies Inc. VST is a trademark of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. All other brand names mentioned are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders, and are hereby acknowledged.

Contents

Mackie Software License------------------------------------------- 2 Iconography ----------------------------------------------------------4 Introduction ----------------------------------------------------------6

About Final Mix --------------------------------------------------------6 Main Features

Using Final Mix -------------------------------------------------------8

Front Panel Overview-------------------------------------------------8

Pre/Post Parametric Equalizers Block-------------------------------8 Dynamics Crossover/Key Block Global Controls Block

Pre/Post Parametric Equalizers ------------------------------------9

EQ Editing --------------------------------------------------------------- 10 EQ Values Panel DC– ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 10 EQ Bands On/Off EQ Shelving--------------------------------------------------------------- 11

Dynamics – Crossover/Key Graph -------------------------------- 11

Overview of Operation------------------------------------------------ 11 Control Panel Key Gain Frequency Center/Bandwidth Dynamics Processing Contour Edit Screen Node Editing ------------------------------------------------------------16 Other Controls in the Dynamics Section

Global Controls Block -----------------------------------------------19

Help Screen (?)-----------------------------------------------------------19 Preset Toggle Buttons Preset Title Window Memory A/Memory B Menu --------------------------------------------------------------------- 20 L/R Input and Output Clip LEDs Link ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 20

Specications--------------------------------------------------------21

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Final Mix Factory Presets ---------------------------------------- 22

User’s Guide

Introduction

Thank you for choosing Mackie software products for your computer-based audio recording system. This version of Mackie's Final Mix stereo mastering plug-in comes with the PC version of Tracktion, our easy-to-use music production software application. When you install Tracktion on your PC, Final Mix is automatically installed in Tracktion's plug-ins folder.

Note: This version of Final Mix only works with Tracktion, and will not work with any other VST host applications you may have on your computer. You can visit our website (www.mackie.com) and purchase the universal version of Final Mix that works with any PC application that

Final Mix is a professional stereo mastering plug-in that offers multi-band dynamics processing and equalization. It has three individual dynamics processors, each with its own set of controls and selectable crossover points. It also has two separate six-band parametric eqs, one located before the dynamics section, and the other after. Each dynamics band is typically used as a compressor, but expansion is also possible. An intuitive dynamics contour edit screen providess easy setup of your compressor parameters and allows you to create the perfect soft knee curve. Final Mix also offers a simple to use noise gate and a soft-clip limiter. With intuitive screens and controls, Final Mix promises to be one of your most invaluable tools. It can take your projects to new heights.

supports VST 2.0 (Virtual Studio Technology).

About Final Mix

Mastering is often the element that separates a good production from a great one. Mackie's Final Mix enables you to master your session within your computer's software application and print directly to hard disk. All this without having to rely on expensive mastering houses or outboard gear. Best of all, settings can be saved as part of your DAW session! Final Mix features a six-band parametric (pre-dynamics) equalizer, a multi-band dynamics processor, and a six-band parametric (post-dynamics) equalizer—12 bands of stereo EQ and three bands of dynamics processing in all. All settings are easily edited to create perfect EQ curves and compression settings. All three dynamics bands feature individual threshold, attack, and release times. A graphical contour edit screen for each dynamics band allows you to easily set a desired ratio. Then you can create your own hard knee or soft knee, or even create an expander curve. Each dynamics band features its own key lter and operating bandwidth. This allows you to customize the frequency band triggering each compressor. The Soft-Clip feature adds a smooth, analog-style clip response when your signal gets close to overload. These features and others, such as Noise Gate and Band Linking, ensure that Final Mix will be an integral part of your mixes from here out.

User’s Guide

Main Features

• Stereo mastering plug-in solution for the PC version of Tracktion

• 6-band pre-dynamics parametric equalizer

• 3-band dynamics processor

• 6-band post-dynamics parametric equalizer

• Soft-Clip feature to provide peak overload protection

• DC removal lter

• Noise gate

• Integrated on-screen help (click on the question mark button)

• Dynamics auto make-up gain

• Individual key selector for each dynamics band

• Graphical user-denable dynamics band contours

• Linking of dynamics band edits

• Full stereo operation

• Fully automatable

• Global enable button

• On/Off for the dynamics section and each EQ

• Solo for each key lter to assist with dynamics setup

• Mute for each dynamics band to assist with crossover setup

• Separate dynamics and EQ reset buttons

• Integrated factory presets and user presets

• Memories A and B for quick comparisons

• Input, output, and gain reduction metering

• Full Mackie Control Universal parameter support

User’s Guide

Using Final Mix

Pre/Post Parametric Equalizers (Six Band)

Global Controls

Dynamics Crossover/Key

Front Panel Overview

You can think of Final Mix as being broken into three basic blocks: EQ, Dynamics, and Global. The dynamics and equalizer blocks have alternate pop-up screens that can be accessed for detailed editing.

Pre/Post Parametric Equalizers Block (see page 9)

The parametric equalizer block is comprised of two separate six-band parametric equalizers. One is pre-dynamics processing and the other is post-dynamics. Each offers a visual representation of your EQ curve that can be viewed together or separately on one convenient screen. Each of the six EQ bands is represented by a colored node (or ball). Each node has independent gain, frequency, Q, and lter type (shelf or bandpass) controls. Control-click sets a node to its default value. Right-clicking and dragging allows editing of the Q rather than the gain and frequency. Double-clicking on the EQ screen background brings up the EQ Values Panel. This allows you to view and adjust the numeric values of each band independently.

User’s Guide

Dynamics Crossover/Key Graph Block (see page 11)

This screen allows you to view and edit the crossovers and key lters. The crossover is used to split the signal into three individual bands, each of which is then sent to its own dynamics processor. In Final Mix each of the three dynamics bands has its own adjustable key lter. This can be used to emphasize or de-emphasize the compression within each band. From the crossover/key setup screen you can drag nodes to adjust crossover points and key parameters. Each band has an individual IN/OUT button to enable or disable dynamics processing for the band. Each band also has a mute button, which is useful for allowing you to listen to exactly what the crossover is doing. By muting all but one band at a time you can solo the band. Similarly, each key lter has its own KEY SOLO button that lets you solo the key signals. Double-clicking anywhere on the crossover screen opens another editing window. This window displays numeric values of the crossover frequencies, slopes, key gains, frequency centers, and bandwidths.

At the bottom of the dynamics block, there are three small windows. These show an overview of the dynamics contours, as well as the attacks, releases, and gains, of the three dynamics bands. Double-clicking on any of the smaller contour screens brings up the corresponding larger screen for detailed editing of the contour. The contour allows you to control

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