One of the important techniques I learned whilst working at HQ was using a mixing chain. I had used one before – but it had never been this complex – here I was able to explore different plug-ins used to create a clearer sound in the mix as well as really define their use in a piece of music or for foley and sound design.
I was given a specific chain of mixing order that had been used in multiple commercial tracks for the record label (however I will not publicize the specifics on the blog as the producer did not want me to etc) However the basic idea went something like:
An EQ, to bring up the high and ends and take out a bit of the lows, a compressor, de esser, multipressor, exciter, refinement, a limiter and then EQ and steroe on the high end. After that, on the bus, reverbs, compressions, saturations and exciters are added. This chain is specifically for vocals – something I struggled mixing initially.
With an effects chain, the order of your plugins is important. Depending on where a plugin is in the effects chain, it will have a variable influence on the sound. Understanding how the order of plugins affects sound can help you make make decisions and fix issues.