In this short, free video tutorial for Production Expert, Michael Costa demonstrates his mixing workflow using the CLA MixHub on guitar parts. MixHub is an efficient way of mixing as it combines input processing, EQ, and Dynamic Control, and the ability to open Waves plugins within MixHub.
The Workflow
Once CLA MixHub is inserted on the channels in your mix, you can assign your tracks to buckets and begin making adjustments on the fly: mixing dynamics, EQ, saturation and more at a free-flowing pace without needing to switch plugin windows in your DAW.
While mixing, you can flip between two plugin view modes: Bucket View, with control of up to 8 channels at a time, or Channel View, focusing on a single channel’s processing chain.
Each channel consists of 5 sections: input, dynamics, EQ, output, and an insert point. Each processing module can be expanded to reveal additional functionality.
Input Section
The input section handles high and low-pass filtering and switchable harmonic distortion. The “line” control models the line amp in Chris’s console, adding light saturation. For more extreme drive, kick in the mic pre. This, in effect, is like running a line-level signal through the console’s microphone preamp.
Dynamics
The dynamics section includes two flavours of compression: the console’s built-in compressor, as well as Chris’s favoured “Bluey” compressor. Also included: a gate, expander and ducker with a “hold” control and flexible side-chain options for shaping a sound’s envelope – as Chris calls it, it’s a ‘super-gate.’
EQ
The EQ section includes 4 bands of parametric EQ, from wide bells to narrow boost and cuts, loaded with the console’s original ballistics and Q characteristics.
Output
The output section includes a VU meter and plasma-style PPM meter, plus a stereo imaging control and an output fader.
CLA MixHub Summary
Mix with the console workflow and rich analogue console sound of legendary mixer Chris Lord-Alge
Meticulous hardware modelling of Chris’s console with added functionality
Mix swiftly and efficiently with a clear perspective
Control up to 64 channels from a single plugin window: Build up to 8 ‘buckets,’ each containing 8 tracks from across your mix session
Flip anytime between bucket view and single-channel view
Insert slot: Load an extra Waves plugin within each CLA MixHub channel strip
Re-order your processing chain within the plugin
Flexible dynamics sidechaining
CLA MixHub Lite components for light CPU consumption
Over 250 artist presets by CLA himself plus Dave Pensado, Greg Wells, Lu Diaz
For more information or to purchase CLA MixHub, visit Waves’ website.