User’s Guide
6
User’s Guide
7
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 ver-
sion 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 supports VST 2.0 (Virtual Studio Technology).
Final Mix is a professional stereo mastering plug-in that offers multi-band dynamics process-
ing 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 per-
fect 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.
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 filter 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.
