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Main Bus / Pre-Master Mixing

IN LOGIC PRO

Main Bus / Pre-Master Chain Starting Point

  1. Gain / Trim

    Leave headroom and avoid using the main bus to fix poor track balances.

  2. Gentle Corrective EQ if needed

    Prefer broad, subtle moves; fix obvious problems in the mix when possible.

  3. Very Light Bus Compression if useful

    Use only when it improves movement or glue, usually around 0.5-2 dB of gain reduction.

  4. Subtle Tone EQ if needed

    Add broad polish carefully and keep checking bypass at matched loudness.

  5. Subtle Saturation / Tape / Console Color

    Optional finishing color when it helps density without shrinking the mix.

  6. Metering

    Check peak, loudness, dynamic range, stereo correlation, and low-end translation.

  7. Limiter for Preview / Final Checks

    Use limiting to audition loudness or create a final master, not as a mix crutch.

EQ, Compression, and Metering

EQ Targets

  • Filter only what the arrangement does not need.
  • Cut boxiness, harshness, or mud when you actually hear it.
  • Boost for a musical reason, not to make the track louder.

Compression Starting Points

  • Gentle glue only: 1.5:1 to 2:1 is a common starting point.
  • Usually aim for about 0.5-2 dB gain reduction.
  • Use slow/medium attack and auto or tempo-aware release to preserve transients.

Metering Targets

  • Leave headroom before buses
  • Watch low-end buildup
  • Prioritize Balance and headroom clarity in context

EQ Moves

RangeMoveWhy
20-30 HzHigh-pass filterClean subsonic rumble
150-300 HzLow-mid cutReduce low-mid congestion
1-3 kHzPresenceImprove detail and definition
10-16 kHzHigh shelfOpen top end carefully
16-20 kHzAirOptional sparkle

Plugin Recommendations

EQ

  • Main Bus / Pre-Master Mixing Logic Channel EQ screenshotLogic Channel EQ
  • Logic Linear Phase EQ
  • Main Bus / Pre-Master Mixing FabFilter Pro-Q 4 screenshotFabFilter Pro-Q 4

Glue Compression

  • Main Bus / Pre-Master Mixing SSL style screenshotSSL style
  • Main Bus / Pre-Master Mixing API 2500 light settings screenshotAPI 2500 light settings

Saturation

  • Logic Phat FX
  • Main Bus / Pre-Master Mixing J37 screenshotJ37
  • Main Bus / Pre-Master Mixing Saturn 2 subtle screenshotSaturn 2 subtle

Metering / Preview Limiting

  • Logic Loudness Meter
  • Multimeter
  • Adaptive Limiter for preview checks

Quick Reminders

  • Leave target peak around -6 dBFS.
  • Do not normalize at mix stage.
  • Check mono and low-volume translation.
  • Avoid fixing arrangement issues on bus.
  • Avoid large master EQ moves unless intentional; fix mix problems at the source when possible.