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Mix Bus Processing with Waves LV1
FREE LV1 Presets
We're giving away Jeff's LV1 presets from this course! Explore what Jeff does to achieve his desired sound and implement some of those same ideas in your church.
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The final step in building an impactful mix is to process the left/right bus. The purpose of doing this is to achieve a polished and pro sounding mix that is built for live and broadcast settings. Jeff achieves this by using plugins on the main bus.
Main Bus Processing
The main bus chain consists of several plugins that shape the overall sound of the mix. Each plugin serves a specific purpose, from adding analog warmth to controlling dynamics.
- NLS: Adds subtle analog warmth and character.
- EQ: Used for room-specific adjustments.
- Kramer Compressor: Acts as a limiter to prevent clipping.
- Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain: Adds final polish and sparkle.
NLS Bus Plugin
The NLS (Non-Linear Summing) plugin emulates the unique characteristics of vintage consoles. It provides subtle variations in tone that accumulate to create a cohesive and warm mix.
- Combination of an SSL, a Neve, and an EMI console.
- Can be applied to individual channels and the main bus.
- Adds subtle analog warmth and character.
Kramer Pie Compressor
This compressor is used as a leveler. It gives gentle gain reduction to prevent clipping and keep levels consistent.
- Acts more like a limiter.
- Provides less than 1 dB of gain reduction.
- Ensures the mix stays controlled and avoids clipping.
Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain
This mastering plugin adds a final touch of polish to the mix, enhancing clarity and sparkle. It's used sparingly to lift the mix from good to great.
- Based on a preset modified for live use.
- Adds high-end sparkle and clarity.
- Complements the mix without overpowering it.
Fine-Tuning for Different Environments
Changes to the main bus processing are often specific to an environment. They ensure the mix sounds good in many settings, from live PA systems to broadcast feeds.
- Use EQ to adapt to room acoustics.
- Adjust compressor settings based on dynamic needs.
- Ensure mastering plugins enhance without overwhelming.