Mixing and Mastering in FL Studio 10When it comes to mixing and mastering audio there are many tips, tricks, and techniques that many audio engineers use in the music production world. With the options of using external equipment, digital software, or both it is clear that there is no set way to mixing and mastering sound. The future of music production is now here and, slowly, external tools are becoming increasingly more obsolete. With the development of computers doubling in power and capacity every year and a half it is clear where music production is headed.

I am not saying that we, as music producers/sound engineers, will never need external processors again. I am only stating what the next generation of up and coming producers will be utilizing more in the fore seen future. I, as a music producer/audio engineer, do use an external audio interface but as far as mixing and mastering goes I use all digital processes. With computing power, in this day in time, computer manufacturing companies have Intel i7, which is the equivalent of 8 CPU cores, and competing processors that are very similar with 8 to 12 gigs of ram.

With that kind of power there is really no need to blow excessive amounts of cash for the already pricy external processors. Now that I have made my point about the future of music production, mixing, and mastering tools let me tell you about FL Studio 10's part in the grand scheme of things.

I use FL Studio to mix and master tracks simultaneously in real time. I prefer to use that program because of the real time interface it has to offer. Of course I don't recommend using this program if an engineer's computer isn't up for the task. My computer is a quad core with 6 gigs of ram so it can handle it for the most part. You could use a dual core with 3 gigs of ram but if that's the case one must keep a close eye on the CPU's meter within the program itself. I am not saying that the computer I have I don't have to do the same I'm only saying that no matter what computing power you have always monitor your CPU.

My formula with FL Studio mixing and mastering is a fairly simple one. I separate all instrumentals in its own mixer track and I do the same with the vocal takes. Of course with the vocals I make sure that the vocal takes are organized and not a segmented mess on the digital canvas. Then, with the right mastering plug-ins inserted in the instrumental, vocal takes, and finally the master output I'm ready to start the mixing and mastering process.

There are many ways to go about mixing and mastering in any digital audio work station. There is not a set way to do the task. All music is not created equal when it comes down to the finishing touches for commercial release.