1. Normalize & Mute
Normalize each track by panning to the center, take the EQ section out or verify all settings are zeroed (this may be in the 12 o'clock
position), and turning down (off) all Aux Sends so that there are no effects. Pull all faders down (some people mute each channel, then
un-mute them individually as they proceed).
(This is a good place to play a reference CD, to help ensure the monitoring system is performing properly and you have a good
referenced starting point for your mix.)
Review any notes taken during the tracking process and your preproduction notes. Setup the signal routing scheme, configure patch
bays. Compressors and noise gate can be patched in and normalized so they have little or no effect (put device into bypass if possible,
set noise gates to a low threshold, etc.). It should be possible to assign outboard effects (reverbs) to the various tracks at this point
based on the song concept and basic ideas of the sonic landscape.
(It is perfectly acceptable to determine the concepts and sonic landscape as you progress through these mixing steps, this is art and
there are no rules, just guidelines or opinion.)