MIXING & EFFECTS

Mixer Track Properties

This section covers the Mixer track properties panel (9). The mixer track properties panel integrates some common mastering filters, phase, panning, stereo width and PDC (Plugin Delay Compensation) controls.

Integrated Filters

• Parametric EQ - The equalizer is very similar to the standalone Parametric EQ plugin which comes with FL Studio. However, the band types in this version are predefined and can not be changed: Band 1 - Low Shelf; Band 2 - Peaking; 3 - High Shelf.
• Panel (A) is the graph for the Parametric EQ, left-click to control centre frequency (left-right)/amplitude(up/down) or right-click to control bandwidth (left-right)/amplitude(up/down).
• Stereo separation ()- The stereo separation filter allows you to enhance or reduce differences in the audio between the left and right channels of a track. In the default position (middle), the stereo separation filter is disabled. Turn the knob right to decrease the stereo separation (sum L+R to mono), turn left to increase stereo separation. This control has no stereo effect on mono sounds as it works by taking the difference between the L and R channels, if there is no difference then there is nothing to enhance.
• Pan() - The pan function in the mixer works by progressively mixing one stereo channel into another. This results in the complete stereo Mix appearing in the L or R channel at 100% L or R pan.
• Panel (B) can be left or right clicked to gain simultaneous X/Y control over Pan and Volume.
• Swap stereo channels () - This flips the stereo image so that the Left channel becomes Right and vice verse.
• Invert phase() - Changes the phase of the incoming signal 180 degrees. Useful for dealing with phase cancellation problems in a mix.
• Level fader - This duplicates the fader in the active mixer send track.
• Panel (C) Relates to Plugin Delay Compensation (PDC) and is discussed below.

Note: The integrated filters are the last processing/FX stage prior to audio leaving the mixer track and so follow any plugin FX loaded into slots 1 to 8.

Plugin Delay Compensation - PDC

PDC is required when Effects plugins introduce processing delays between their input and output sound OR Instrument plugins are slow to respond to note input.

• Delay Pre/Post
- Left-click this switch to change between pre delay (used for instruments/generators) and post delay (used for effects). The Pre setting delays the audio prior to entering a mixer track, Post delays the audio leaving a mixer track.
• Delay entry menu (showing 'none' in the example at C, above) - This is the delay control menu, there are several units in which delays may be entered, left-click to select from:
• Reset - Resets the PDC to 'none', the default 'no delay' condition.
• Set in ms (milliseconds) - Set the PDC in ms, a value entry box will appear after selecting this setting.
• Set in samples - Set the PDC in samples, a value entry box will appear after selecting this setting.
• Set in beats - Set the PDC in beats, a value entry box will appear after selecting this setting.
• Set from - This will list mixer tracks that have latency caused by plugins. Select a track to automatically adapt the current PDC value to the selected track without the need to manually enter values.

The Delay Panel (C), available on all mixer tracks, allows you to configure the mixer to use plugins that can't process audio in real-time, including compressors with 'look ahead' functions and 'Convolution Reverbs'. Without PDC, affected plugins will sound out of time with the main audio. The PDC control settings allow you to compensate for the unwanted delay so that the non-affected mixer tracks are synchronized with the delayed track. The setup is completed manually, a tutorial is provided in the next section.

Note: When using PDC, FL Studio will no longer respond 'instantly' as the audio output is delayed to sync with the slow plugin.

Guide to using PDC - Effects

If a mixer track contains an FX plugin that introduces a unwanted delay (delay-affected) then the audio from this track will be out of sync with the other mixer tracks. The PDC technique used in FL Studio is to delay all 'normal' tracks by the same amount as the delay-affected track, bringing the two audio streams back in sync. To facilitate PDC, a highly accurate compensating delay is available through the mixer track Delay Panel (C).

PDC overview - place the delay affected plugin on a mixer track and route any instruments through it that require the effect. Next, set up a NEW mixer track with the same delay as caused by the delay affected plugin (using the Delay Panel, C) and route all other mixer tracks exclusively through this track. That is, disable their individual sends to the Master. Right-clicking the 'track send' switches (18) will provide the 'exclusive' send option.

Step-by-step instructions to using PDC -

1. Load the delay-affected (slow) plugin - Insert delay-affected plugin into any FX slot of any Insert mixer track or Send track. Link the channels you would like to effect with the plugin to this mixer track.
2. Determine the delay compensation - If you are not using the 'Set from' option you will need to manually record the plugin delay compensation (PDC). This is shown in the hint bar when you hover over a plugin FX slot that contains a plugin causing (and reporting) a delay, as shown below. Take note of this value and the units (usually samples).
   
   

   

3. Compensating track - Use the 'Set from' PDC 'Delay entry' menu item OR enter the PDC delay value obtained above in the 'Delay entry menu' (C) on a second mixer track that DOES NOT contain the delay affected plugin. It makes sense to re-name this track 'PDC' and change the colour to something bright so you can easily locate it later.
4. Route all normal tracks to the compensating track, disabling their individual Master sends - All audio (other than that running through the track containing the plugin causing a delay) must be routed through the compensating track. You must DISABLE THE MASTER SEND of each mixer track routed to the compensating track so that the only path for audio from these tracks to the Master is through the compensating track.
5. Testing - The two audio streams should now be in sync. However, the PDC setting in the hint window is reported by the plugin, so if this is not available you may need to tune the delay setting by ear, if so compare the PDC and non PDC paths using a percussive sound such as a 'hat' sample. Set the step-sequencer to pattern mode and trigger the delay-affected and a normal generators with equivalent steps. Make sure there are no FX on the compensating channel while you test.

Note: If you intend to use a delay-affected plugin on the Master mixer track (and you are not sending audio out of FL Studio via an individual mixer track output), then you do not need to compensate as all audio passes through the Master track and so all audio is equally delayed by the offending plugin.

Guide to using PDC - Instruments

Some instruments give a delayed response to note input commands. It is possible to use the Pre delay setting on the Delay Panel (C) to re-sync delayed and normal instrument audio, before either enter the mixer. Pre delaying simplifies the internal routing and set-up requirements. The principle here is to add a pre-delay to each mixer track receiving normal generators while the track receiving a delayed generator is not adjusted.

Step-by-step instructions to using instrumenst/generator PDC -

1. Link the delay-affected (slow) plugin to the mixer - Select a mixer track and route the delay-affected generator to this track. This will be the only track that does not receive a delay compensation.
2. Link normal instruments/generators - All normal generators/instruments may be linked to any other mixer track/s as usual. All tracks used by unaffected instruments/generators must receive a Pre-delay compensation set in the Delay Panel (C).
3. Determine the delay compensation - The delay caused by the affected instrument/generator will either be noted in the documentation that comes with the plugin OR if this is not available you will need to tune the delay setting by ear. If so compare a normal and delay-affected plugin using a percussive sound with a sharp attack and quick release. Make sure there are no FX on the mixer tracks you are testing. Set the step-sequencer to pattern mode and trigger the delay-affected and a normal generators with equivalent steps.
4. Delay setting - Select Pre delay and enter the PDC delay value obtained above into the 'Delay entry menu' (C) of each track receiving a normal generator.