Mix Like a Pro: How to Enhance Your Mixing Workflow in DAW?

Since home recording has become a thing these days, recording has become relatively easier. The process of recording has become very streamlined and simple too, from tracking your instruments, such as guitars and keyboards, using MIDI controllers to record VST instruments, or beat sequencing. After the recording process has finished, the next step is to mix and edit the songs before mastering them to be released as a complete song to the listeners.

While anyone can excel in the recording process, mixing, on the other hand, is a totally different process. Mixing songs requires skills and a better understanding of musical theory to make sure that each recording track is balanced throughout the frequency spectrum, etc. Most recording engineers would admit that the mixing process can be the longest and most challenging phase in any song production.

In the fast-paced world we live in today, where speed is almost always in demand, are there ways to make your mixing process quicker and ready fast enough for your listeners? Well, we’re here to spill the beans and tell you, yes you can!

In the past, audio recording and mixing were manual processes that required analog equipment such as a recording interface, mixer, and outboard studio rack units for adding effects. Recordings were made directly onto tapes. However, digital audio workstation (DAW) software has made it possible to record, mix, and edit audio in a more streamlined and efficient manner using just one computer.

Music production involves several stages, including idea conception, songwriting, composition, music recording, mixing, and mastering before the final release to the audience. Once all the instruments have been recorded and tracked, the mixing process begins. This involves blending individual tracks together using various effects such as EQ, compression, and plugin integration. Typically, people use their computer's mouse and keyboard to navigate through the tracks and make adjustments to the effects.

Although using a mouse and keyboard for post-editing or mixing is common, it may have some drawbacks that you should consider if you want the final mix to be ready quickly enough for the mastering stage and for your listeners to enjoy.

• Limited tactile feedback: Mixing solely with a keyboard and mouse lacks the physical interaction provided by knobs, sliders, and buttons. Without this tactile feedback, engineers may find it harder to gauge precise adjustments, potentially leading to inaccuracies in their mixing decisions.

• Slower workflow: When adjusting parameters using a mouse, it often takes longer compared to using dedicated hardware controls. This is because engineers may need to navigate through menus or adjust parameters individually, which can slow down the mixing process. This can be particularly problematic when making multiple adjustments across different tracks simultaneously.

• Less intuitive control: Virtual controls on a screen may not align with the muscle memory and familiarity that many engineers have with physical mixing consoles. This lack of a tactile interface can make it harder to intuitively locate and adjust parameters, leading to a steeper learning curve for those accustomed to traditional studio setups.

• Limited simultaneous control: With a mouse and keyboard, engineers typically can only adjust one parameter at a time. This sequential approach to mixing contrasts with the parallel control offered by hardware interfaces, where multiple parameters can be adjusted simultaneously. This limitation can hinder the ability to make dynamic and nuanced changes across various aspects of a mix concurrently.

• Physical strain: Extended use of a mouse and keyboard for mixing can lead to discomfort and strain, particularly in the wrists, hands, and fingers. Unlike physical controls that allow for more ergonomic interaction, the repetitive movements required for precise adjustments using a mouse can contribute to fatigue and potential long-term health issues for engineers.

• Less expressive mixing: The absence of physical controls makes it challenging to perform certain expressive mixing techniques, such as riding faders or performing real-time automation. These techniques often rely on the tactile feedback and immediate response provided by hardware interfaces, allowing engineers to make subtle adjustments that enhance the dynamics and emotion of a mix.

• Difficulty with automation: While automation is achievable with a mouse and keyboard, the process can be cumbersome and time-consuming. Without the tactile control and visual feedback of physical faders and knobs, programming precise and intricate automation moves may require more effort and concentration, potentially detracting from the creative flow of the mixing process.

To summarize, it is possible to achieve professional-sounding mixes using only a keyboard and mouse with any digital audio workstation (DAW) software. However, it appears that having dedicated hardware can significantly speed up the mixing process.

Fortunately, there are hardware options available that can assist you with mixing easier and faster, and it’s called DAW controllers!

DAW controllers are MIDI devices that allow you to control Digital Audio Workstations like Avid Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Presonus Studio One, FL Studio, and many more. Instead of using a mouse and keyboard to locate and click each command, a DAW controller lets you operate a DAW through dedicated control surface buttons, faders, encoders, or knobs.

By integrating an external DAW controller into your recording setup, you can significantly improve your recording, sequencing, and post-editing experience. Rather than the laborious and constrained process of modifying an on-screen fader with a single pointer, you can now use a physical fader and buttons to record. You can easily push a fader up or turn a knob down, and the software will respond accordingly. This brings you closer to the simplicity of using a multitrack hardware recorder and mixing console, and ultimately, helps you produce superior and more “musical” pieces of music.

There are various types of DAW controllers, but most of them have similar controls such as channels, transport, navigation, and automation. Therefore, let's understand all of them and determine which one is the best option for you!

A MIDI controller keyboard is a device that allows musicians to control, play, and record VST or plugin software-based instruments, such as synthesizers or digital drums, using piano or synth-style keys.

Apart from the piano-style keys, many keyboard controllers also come with knobs, sliders, and buttons on their top panels. These can transmit MIDI data and significantly increase hands-on control over the software or any module connected to the controller.

Certain MIDI controller keyboards offer musicians the ability to navigate tracks and plugins directly within their DAW software. This feature is particularly useful for recording, playing, and editing effects in real-time, like automation. It adds a more natural and organic feel to the recorded music and saves time that would otherwise be spent on post-editing.

Here are some of the best MIDI controller keyboards that can be your main instrument as well as a DAW controller!

The Nektar Panorama P4 and P6 were both designed to be the ultimate controllers, providing deeply integrated control of popular DAWs such as Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic Pro, Reason, Main Stage, and Reaper. With complete channel strip control, you have access to dynamics, EQ, inserts, sends, and more, all easily accessible through a large, clear TFT screen. The single motorized 100mm ALPS fader can be used to control and set your channel automation, making it easier to achieve accurate and precise results.

In addition to channel strip control, the Nektar Panorama P4 and P6 also provide complete control of virtual instruments within your DAW. The 49-key and 61-key keyboards, respectively, with semi-weighted key action, let you play synths like a pro, and the 12 pads give you command of percussion patches, loops, and more. These control surfaces are your complete solution for creating, recording, and performing all the parts of your tunes.

The Nektar Impact LX25+ and LX49+ USB MIDI controllers are perfect for musicians who want the power of the Impact LX+ series without the extra keys and faders. Both controllers use intelligent mapping to give you hands-on control of your DAW session, with the ability to switch between mixer, instrument, and preset modes for a fast workflow. The synth-action keys on the LX25+ and LX49+ give you a smooth, precise feel, as do their pitch and mod wheels, knobs, 30mm fader, and performance pads. With the LX25+ and LX49+, you get four velocity curves that gradually increase in dynamics, making it perfect for playing just about any type of part.

The Impact series of controllers offers intelligent mapping and tight integration with the most popular DAWs, preset mixer and plug-in modes, transport and navigation controls, MIDI programming capabilities, and five user presets. The Nektar Impact LX25+ also comes with Bitwig 8-Track DAW software, which features the entire collection of Bitwig Studio devices for use on up to eight project tracks with audio or MIDI. Bitwig DAW software gives you a powerful toolset and fast workflow, making it a great choice for sketching and arranging musical ideas, final mixdowns, and even live performances.

The Nektar Impact LX88+ is a USB MIDI controller that offers intelligent mapping and hands-on control of your DAW session, with labeled faders and encoders for default instrument parameter assignments. The 88-note velocity-sensitive keyboard provides a smooth feel, with four velocity curves and three fixed velocities. The pitch bend, modulation wheels, and octave/transposition buttons are placed for easy access. The Impact series offers tight integration with the most popular DAWs, preset mixer and plug-in modes, transport and navigation controls, MIDI programming capabilities, and five user presets.

Surface controllers are similar to MIDI keyboard controllers, but they don't have keys. They are perfect for audio engineers or producers who want to have a more hands-on and in-depth mixing experience within their DAW. These controllers come equipped with physical knobs, faders, buttons, and pads that allow users to adjust various parameters within their DAW, such as volume levels, pan settings, plugin parameters, and transport controls (play, stop, record, etc.).

DAW surface controllers are specifically designed for audio mixing tasks, featuring a layout that closely resembles traditional mixing consoles. The layout of these controllers includes faders, knobs, buttons, and other controls that are optimized for efficient control over DAW parameters. On the other hand, MIDI keyboard controllers often prioritize musical input, resulting in a layout that may not be as intuitive or ergonomic for mixing tasks.

The dedicated controls and streamlined layout of DAW surface controllers contribute to improved workflow efficiency. Engineers can access essential functions and make adjustments more quickly and seamlessly compared to navigating through menus or using generic MIDI mappings on a keyboard controller. This efficiency translates to a smoother mixing process and enables engineers to focus more on creative aspects rather than technicalities.

Let’s check out some of the DAW surface controllers we have in store for improving your music-mixing workflow!

Experience complete control over all Logic Pro possibilities with dynamic and detailed features! The Panorama CS12 channel strip is a completely customizable DAW plug-in controller that streamlines your workflow with a slew of RGB LED-backlit transport controls, rotary encoders, and soft switches. The controller grants dynamic, hands-on control over your Apple Logic Pro experience and offers detailed control of Logic Pro’s insert plug-ins, as well as a selection of third-party tools.

The Panorama CS12 features a Fine mode that allows for unprecedented resolution with the 360-degree rotary knobs, offering control up to 10 times the standard resolution—an industry-first DAW controller function. It has 26 transport and DAW controls, a dozen 360-degree rotary pots, a motorized fader, four soft switches, and 16 plug-in activation buttons.

Moreover, the 100-millimeter motorized fader can be assigned to any parameter for flexible automation recall or performance opportunities. With up to 12 sends per channel capable of being controlled and flexible fader and panning behaviors, the Panorama CS12 becomes a one-stop powerhouse for malleable studio magic.

The Panorama CS12 includes a slew of additional options to expand how you interface with Logic Pro via deep editing and connectivity features. It offers versatile adjustments for Logic Pro’s automation tools and two distinct automation profiles: auto-touch and single-point. Nektar also includes a TRS footswitch socket that can be used with a Y-splitter cable to accommodate up to two simultaneous footswitches, greatly expanding your creative tactility.

The Nektar Panorama P1 controller is a tabletop device that is pre-mapped to work seamlessly with Bitwig Studio, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic Pro, Reason, Main Stage, and Reaper. It offers hardware control over every element of these DAWs and also functions as a powerful generic MIDI controller. The device has advanced custom communication protocols that interface with the aforementioned software, providing hardware-like solidity.

With the Panorama P1, you have complete control over your DAW's channel strips, including dynamics, EQ, inserts, sends, and more. The large, color TFT display shows you what parameter you are controlling in real-time, so you don't have to look at your computer screen. Using the P1 with Bitwig Studio, Logic Pro X, Reason, Cubase, or Nuendo is highly efficient and comparable to using a hardware console. With this device, you can say goodbye to your mouse and enjoy full control over your DAW!