Everyone loves an efficiency hack, so if you're looking for ways to cut valuable time from your mixing process, then it's time to join the chain gang...

When we mix, it would be ideal if we could load up a simple one-knob-style plugin, choose a preset, set an amount and simply move onto the next sound.

But although you might get lucky on a few occasions, mixing usually requires a more nuanced and delicate balance of level, panning and processing.

That being said, the more you mix, the more you'll find the same approaches seem to work for similar circumstances. So, when you find something that works, being able to recreate that approach quickly is both efficient and satisfying. That's what we can achieve with a tried-and-tested mixing chain or two. Thankfully, the DAW domain provides the perfect environment for saving and recalling presets, and you're probably already familiar with factory or self-created session templates, synth presets and individual plugin presets. So, taking that one step further with complete channel strip mixing chains is a natural progression.

Across the following pages, we'll show you how to create your own mixing chains from scratch. Each chain will target a specific instrument, such as drums, vocals, basses and keys. But we'll also look at chains for other mixing tasks such as the master bus, auxiliaries and special effects.

Although mixing chains offer a flexible approach and for the most part don't require any additional plugins, plugin developers spotted the demand, and there are now many task-specific multi-stage plugins available to buy. These 'black box' designs cover a lot of ground, and we discuss some of the options later in the feature.

One of the best is LOLCOMP from Mixing Night Audio and this month we're delighted to bring you our own CM version. Grab your copy and let's make some chains!

>Step by step

1. Basic chain setup

2. Vocal chain

Plugin chainers Although saving mixing chains using your DAW features is fine, if you're using more than one DAW, or want a bit more flexibility with routing, then a third party plugin chainer could be a better solution for creating and managing your mixing chains.