<scripttype=text/javascript>varbaseurl="https://prokoudine.github.io/ardour-tutorial/en"</script><scripttype=text/javascriptsrc=/ardour-tutorial/js/search.js?1648299022></script></div><sectionid=homelinks><ul><li><aclass=paddinghref=/ardour-tutorial/en/><iclass="fas fa-home"></i> Home</a></li></ul></section><divclass=highlightable><ulclass=topics><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/title=Introductionclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/><b>1. </b>Introduction</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/conventions/title=Conventionsclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/conventions/>Conventions</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/what-is-digital-audio/title="What is digital audio?"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/introduction/what-is-digital-audio/>What is digital audio?</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/title="Getting started"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/><b>2. </b>Getting started</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/starting-ardour-on-ubuntu/title="Starting Ardour"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/starting-ardour-on-ubuntu/>Starting Ardour</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/title="Overview of the Interface"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/>Overview of the Interface</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/editor-window/title="Editor window"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/editor-window/>Editor window</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/mixer-window/title="Mixer window"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/mixer-window/>Mixer window</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/recorder-window/title="Recorder window"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/recorder-window/>Recorder window</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/cue-window/title="Cue window"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/cue-window/>Cue window</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/creating-tracks-and-busses/title="Creating tracks and busses"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/creating-tracks-and-busses/>Creating tracks and busses</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/importing-audio/title="Importing audio"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/importing-audio/>Importing audio</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/setting-up-the-timeline/title="Setting up the timeline"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/getting-started/setting-up-the-timeline/>Setting up the timeline</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/title=Recordingclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/><b>3. </b>Recording</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/recording-audio/title="Recording audio"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/recording-audio/>Recording audio</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/understanding-routing/title="Understanding routing"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/understanding-routing/>Understanding routing</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/routing-between-applications/title="Routing between applications"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/recording-audio/routing-between-applications/>Routing between applications</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/title="Editing sessions"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/editing-sessions/><b>4. </b>Editi
parent"><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/><b>5. </b>Mixing sessions</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/the-mixer-strip/title="The mixer strip"class="dd-item active"><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/the-mixer-strip/>The mixer strip</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/mixing-levels/title="Mixing levels"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/mixing-levels/>Mixing levels</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/panning/title=Panningclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/panning/>Panning</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-plugins/title="Using plugins"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-plugins/>Using plugins</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-sends/title="Using sends"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-sends/>Using sends</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/dynamics/title=Dynamicsclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/dynamics/>Dynamics</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/equalizing/title=Equalizingclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/equalizing/>Equalizing</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-automation/title="Using automation"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/using-automation/>Using automation</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/title="Exporting sessions"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/><b>6. </b>Exporting sessions</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/exporting-a-region/title="Exporting regions"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/exporting-a-region/>Exporting regions</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/exporting-a-range/title="Exporting a range"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/exporting-a-range/>Exporting a range</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/exporting-a-session/title="Exporting a session"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/exporting-sessions/exporting-a-session/>Exporting a session</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/saving-sessions/title="Saving sessions"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/saving-sessions/><b>7. </b>Saving sessions</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/saving-sessions/saving-a-session/title="Saving a session"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/saving-sessions/saving-a-session/>Saving a session</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/saving-sessions/saving-a-snapshot/title="Saving a snapshot"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/saving-sessions/saving-a-snapshot/>Saving a snapshot</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/saving-sessions/saving-a-template/title="Saving a template"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/saving-sessions/saving-a-template/>Saving a template</a></li></ul></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/title=Appendicesclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/><b>8. </b>Appendices</a><ul><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/further-help/title="Further help"class=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/further-help/>Further help</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/glossary/title=Glossaryclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/glossary/>Glossary</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/links/title=Linksclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/links/>Links</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/credits/title=Creditsclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/credits/>Credits</a></li><lidata-nav-id=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/license/title=Licenseclass=dd-item><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/appendices/license/>License</a></li></ul></li></ul><sectionid=shortcuts><h3>More</h3><ul><li><aclass=pa
<spanclass=links><ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/>Home</a> > <ahref=/ardour-tutorial/en/mixing-sessions/>Mixing sessions</a> > The mixer strip</span></div><divclass=progress><divclass=wrapper><navid=TableOfContents><ul><li><ahref=#mixing-tools>Mixing Tools</a></li><li><ahref=#introducing-the-mixer-strip>Introducing the Mixer Strip</a></li><li><ahref=#the-mixer-strip-from-top-to-bottom>The Mixer Strip from Top to Bottom</a><ul><li><ahref=#overview>Overview</a></li><li><ahref=#regular--narrow-modes>Regular & Narrow Modes</a></li><li><ahref=#track-name-and-routing-button>Track Name and Routing Button</a></li><li><ahref=#processor-box>Processor Box</a></li><li><ahref=#panning>Panning</a></li><li><ahref=#solo>Solo</a></li><li><ahref=#mute>Mute</a></li><li><ahref=#arm-record>Arm Record</a></li><li><ahref=#fader-fadepeak-meters>Fader, Fade/Peak Meters</a></li><li><ahref=#routing>Routing</a></li></ul></li><li><ahref=#continuing>Continuing</a></li></ul></nav></div></div></div></div><divid=head-tags></div><divid=body-inner><h1>The mixer strip</h1><p><strong>Mixing</strong> is the process of converting multiple Tracks into a <strong>Stereo
Mix</strong> where all the instruments can be heard clearly.</p><h2id=mixing-tools>Mixing Tools</h2><p><strong>Levels</strong>, <strong>Panning</strong>, <strong>Equalization</strong> (<strong>EQ</strong>), and <strong>Compression</strong> are the main
tools used to achieve a good Mix. In addition to these core tools, a
wide range of Plugin effects can also be used to enhance the sound, such
as <strong>Reverb</strong> and <strong>Delay</strong>.</p><h2id=introducing-the-mixer-strip>Introducing the Mixer Strip</h2><p>The <strong>Mixer Strip</strong> is the vertical column that contains various
controls related to signal flow. Each Track and Bus in Ardour has its
own Mixer Strip. The Mixer Strip is also the main tool we will use in
the process of Mixing our Tracks. In this chapter, we will get a general
overview of the Mixer Strip, with each section described. We will also
provide references to chapters containing information specific to each
aspect of the Mixer Strip.</p><h2id=the-mixer-strip-from-top-to-bottom>The Mixer Strip from Top to Bottom</h2><p>Mixer Strips can be accessed from both the <strong>Editor Window</strong> and the
<strong>Mixer Window</strong> (shortcut “<em>Alt</em>” + “<em>M</em>” to toggle between the two). Mixer Strips in either
window (Editor or Mixer) mirror each other: any actions performed on a
Mixer Strip in the Mixer Window will be reflected in the corresponding
Mixer Strip in the Editor Window, and vice-versa. The Editor Window and
Mixer Window are more fully explained in the <strong>An Overview of the
Interface</strong> chapter.</p><p>In the <strong>Editor Window</strong>, you can see the Mixer Strip of the currently
selected track on the left side of the window. If you don’t see it, hit
“<em>Shift</em>” + “<em>E</em>” to display the Editor Mixer Strip.</p><h3id=overview>Overview</h3><p>Here we see the entire Mixer Strip, as it would appear in either the
Editor Window or the Mixer Window.</p><p><imgsrc=en/Ardour4_Mixer_Strip_1.pngalt=strip1></p><h3id=regular--narrow-modes>Regular & Narrow Modes</h3><p>The Mixer Strip can be switched between the regular width and a more
narrow width to conserve space. The very top part of the Mixer Strip,
pictured below, switches between regular and narrow modes using the left
button. The right button hides the Mixer Strip entirely.</p><p><imgsrc=en/Ardour4_Mixer_Strip_Top.pngalt="strip top"></p><h3id=track-name-and-routing-button>Track Name and Routing Button</h3><p>Continuing from top to bottom, the next section of the Mixer Strip
contains three narrow regions. The first of these regions shows the name of the Track (that’s the word
“<em>Audio 1</em>” in the image below). The next region, named “<em>1</em>” in the image below,
is a button which allows access to the input Routing. Please see the
<strong>Understanding Routing</strong> and <strong>Recording Audio</strong> chapters for more
information on input Routing. The last narrow region controls phase
reversing (we won’t go into details on this topic in this tutorial).</p><p><imgsrc=en/Ardour4_Mixer_Strip_2.pngalt="strip 2"></p><h3id=processor-box>Processor Box</h3><p>The large black region at the bottom of this section is the <strong>Processor
Box</strong>. This is where you can add Plugins, for example. The processor box
will always contain a blue Fader processor. This indicates where in the
processor chain the main channel fader is located — this is the fader
shown in the lower half of the strip. Please see <strong>Using Plugins</strong> and
<strong>Using Sends</strong> for a detailed discussion of this area.</p><p>The next portion of the Mixer Strip includes controls for Panning,
Record, Mute, and Solo, among others.</p><p><imgsrc=en/Ardour4_Mixer_Strip_3.pngalt="strip 4"></p><h3id=panning>Panning</h3><p>Panning has to do with placement of sounds anywhere between Left and Right
speakers. Please refer to the <strong>Panning</strong> chapter for more information.</p><h3id=solo>Solo</h3><p>When a Track or Bus is on <strong>Solo</strong>, all the other Tracks or Busses which
are not likewise on Solo will be inaudible through the Master Bus or the
Audition. We can also find a miniaturized Solo Button in the Track
Mixer. Note that soloing a bus will not silence any tracks and
vice-versa.</p><p>When any Track or Bus is on Solo, the <strong>Solo Indicator</strong> in the
Auxiliary Controls menu will flash red. Clicking the Solo Indicator
while it is flashing will deactivate every Solo in the Session.</p><p><imgsrc=en/Ardour4_Mixer_Strip_4.pngalt="strip 5"></p><h3id=mute>Mute</h3><p>Any Track or Bus on <strong>Mute</strong> will be inaudible through the Master Bus or
the Audition. The Track Mixer also contains a miniaturized Mute Button,
in between the Record Arm Button and the Solo Button. Right-Clicking on
the Mute Button gives you advanced options for the behavior of the mute
button.</p><h3id=arm-record>Arm Record</h3><p>The Rec button arms the track for recording, as seen in the <strong>Recording
Audio</strong> chapter.</p><h3id=fader-fadepeak-meters>Fader, Fade/Peak Meters</h3><p>The most prominent control present in a Mixer Strip is the <strong>Fader</strong>,
used to adjust the overall gain for the corresponding Track or Bus. The
<strong>Peak Meter</strong> shows the Peak Value of the selected track, and is
located directly to the right of the Fader. Each Peak Meter consists of
one <strong>Bar Graph</strong> in the case of a Mono Track, and two Bar Graphs in
case of a Stereo track. The small rectangular field above the meters
shows the highest Peak Value that has been played on that track so far.</p><p><imgsrc=en/Ardour4_Mixer_Strip_5.pngalt="strip 7"></p><p>By clicking the right-hand button at the bottom of the Mixer Strip (it
reads “<em>post</em>” in the image above), you will be able to select the
<strong>Metering Point</strong>, for example the direct “<em>in</em>” from the sound card,
the “<em>pre</em>” Fader signal, or the “<em>post</em>” fader signal.</p><p>As you can see in the image below, there is a smaller version of the
Mixer Strip in each Track, called the <strong>Track Mixer</strong>, which contains a
horizontal <strong>Fader</strong>, a vertical <strong>Peak Meter</strong> as well as miniature
buttons for <strong>Arm Record</strong>, <strong>Mute</strong>, and <strong>Solo</strong>. They all mirror
those found in the Mixer Strip for that Track.</p><p><imgsrc=en/Ardour4_Mixer_Strip_6.pngalt="strip 6"></p><p>Please refer to the chapter on <strong>Mixing Levels</strong> for more detailed
instruction about using the Fader and Peak Meters.</p><h3id=routing>Routing</h3><p>Finally, we reach the bottom of the Mixer Strip. Here we find the
<strong>Output Routing Button</strong>, marked as “<em>master</em>” in the earlier
screenshot, which is discussed in the <strong>Understanding Routing</strong> chapter.</p><h2id=continuing>Continuing</h2><p>Now that we’ve had a look at the main areas of the Mixer Strip, we can
proceed to the <strong>Mixing Levels</strong> chapter to see how we can start to use
