ardour-tutorial/content/getting-started/overview-of-the-interface/mixer-window/index.en.md

+++ title = "Mixer window" description = "Basics of Ardour's Mixer window" chapter = false weight = 2 +++

The main function of the Mixer window is to display all the mixer strips for the various tracks and busses side by side for easy reference and finetuning. This window is mainly used during the mixing process where you distribute instruments across the virtual room and process them with effects to stand out in a mix. It also provides access to plugins and routing features. Please see the chapters on understanding routing, mixing, and using plugins for details.

The user interface of a virtual mixing console largely resembles that of a physical mixing console where you have mixer channels with gain control and a signal meter.

{{< figure src="en/mixer-window-sections.png" alt="Mixer Window" >}}

The Mixer window has 3 larger sections:

1. Left sidebar with a list of favorite plugins, visibility control for mixer strips, and a track/bus groups manager
2. Mixer strips for tracks and busses, including a master bus that the final signal usually travels through
3. Optional Monitor Section with features like Pre/After Fade Listen, Exclusive Solo etc.

Continuing

In the next section we'll take a quick look at the Recorder window that is streamlined for launching and controlling the recording of multiple tracks at the same time.

Next: RECORDER WINDOW