Got Faders or a Mouse?

More often than not, our workstation setups were extremely humble.

A computer, a mouse, and some headphones or “bang for buck” speakers.

That’s at least how I started off my audio post career.

Because I didn’t have access to any Avid S1’s or a Faderport 8, I was a long-time mouse mixer.

Any automation points required a click, and I’ll be honest, it’s taken me a long time to get out of that habit, even with the opportunity to have an Avid S3 or S6 in front of me. 

And you know what? You can get away with that for most volume mixing… except when it comes to music. Because music requires a special dynamic touch, I had to get a bit more creative in how to make the most of my mouse-mixing approaches. But inevitably, I did make the switch to fader automation (and I can’t go back).

Here's a breakdown of both approaches and how to navigate the transition.

Clip Gain Mixing: A Starting Point, But Not the End Goal

Offline video editors often utilize clip gain mixing. This involves setting clip levels and creating fades between sections with basic crossfades. These are typically "equal power" fades, meaning that they are no volume dips when crossfading two different (or same) sections.

While they work in a pinch, smoother transitions require an "S-curve" fade, which creates a more natural-sounding volume change. Additionally, for lowering music under dialogue, adjusting the "curve" of the equal power crossfade can be beneficial. Skewing it to the left allows the lower volume section to come in sooner, creating a more natural-sounding dip.

So consider changing the fade type! Equal power can work in some situations, but I found that changing it yielded more pleasant results.

Making the Switch to Fader Automation: Workflow Tweaks for a Seamless Transition

Let's say you want to progress from clip gain mixing to the more flexible world of faders (or precise mouse adjustments!).

You can highlight your music tracks and use the "Edit" menu -> "Automation" -> "Coalesce Clip Gain to Volume Automation" function.

However, this conversion isn't entirely seamless. With equal power fades I mentioned earlier across the same music section (not a time edit, just a mix edit), the conversion creates a volume bump for each instance – essentially doubling the same signal. Here's how to handle this:

Option A: Clean Timeline for Collaboration

• Remove any crossfades originally used for clip gain mixing.

• Utilize the "Heal Clip Separation" function to address any potential audio gaps created by removing the crossfades.

This approach creates a clean timeline, ideal for collaboration with other mixers. Just a reminder to do it after you coalesced the clip gain to volume automation.

Option B: Mixing for Yourself (Shortcut with Caution!)

• Highlight all your music clips and open up the batch fade window

• Convert any existing crossfades merging the same signal to "equal gain" fades instead of "equal power."

While this method introduces minor volume dips, they often get masked by dialogue or sound effects playing over the music. I only use this approach when the dips are barely noticeable or when volume automation proves difficult dips to the bumps themselves.

Choosing the Right Approach: Collaboration vs. Personal Workflow

As someone who edits and mixes, I have the flexibility to choose between these methods.

• Working with Others: Opt for Option A to ensure a clean timeline when prepping for another mixer.

• Mixing for Yourself: Consider Option B as the volume bumps might be masked by dialogue or sound effects. However, only use this shortcut if the dips are minor and fader automation isn't feasible due to the desired sound. As someone who wears both the editor and mixer hat, I have the flexibility to utilize shortcuts. When collaborating, prioritize clarity for others.

Regardless of your chosen method, both clip gain and fader automation can lead to great-sounding mixes. Clip gain offers a basic starting point, while fader automation unlocks a more fluid and professional approach. As you progress in your audio mixing journey, consider upgrading to a dedicated fader control for precise and fluid mixing!