Mix Window:

Track- Synth Pop Strings (Intro)

To create this sound, I mainly manipulated the effect rate, filter, and amp envelope to increase the amount of sustain and hold on each note being played. This made the synth sound smooth and spacious. The reduction of low end and adding reverb created an immersive and spatial feeling in the mix. I also decided to blend more of oscillator 1 than oscillator which achieved more clarity and high end. Track- Synth Pop Strings- Low End (Intro)

Same settings as previous track. The only change was playing an octave lower to create a layered sound.

Synth Pop Strings- Single Note layer

Used texturally to add more thickness in the mix.

Dreamy Air Guitar- used in second bridge which added more texture

Spitfire LABS plugin

Track- Breathy Mist

The ‘Breathy Mist’ pre-set in the ‘Astral Forms’ Spitfire LABS plugin helped in creating a cinematic sound in the intro and bridge section of the composition. Typically, with ‘Spitfire’ synth pre-sets, I like to make the attack time fairly fast which created an immediate rise in sound and more controlled tone. The addition of reverb created a more spatial sound.

Track- More manipulated Breathy Mist- Higher Octave

Using the same pre-set twice allowed for a change in octave. Having a high octave create a non-musical effect due to the pitch of the notes being more undefined.

Track- Circular Mmm’s

The circular mmm’s pre-set was used as a prominent sound throughout the majority of the composition which was automated in a way that sounded closer in the mix during the verse and bridge sections. I opted for quick attack and lots of reverb for this sound to achieve a sense of clarity and body in the mix.

Vocal Pad

The blend of this vocal pad and the circular mmm’s tracks was important in achieving the immersive and ambient texture in the mix.

Panning

Panning was an important aspect in mixing the synthesizers. Increasing the stereo field of the synths allowed for them to cut through in the mix with the other instruments being placed more central in the mix.

EQ decisions

The majority of the synths had some reduction in the low end which allowed for the bass guitar and kick to cut through the mix. Harsh frequencies at around 2-4kHz were attenuated for which achieved a clearer mix.