What Is Soft Saturation and How Is It Used?

What Is Soft Saturation and How Is It Used?

by Nick Messitte, iZotope Contributor July 25, 2019

Soft saturation has many different applications, learn a few here!
You may have noticed Neutron 3’s EQ sports a parameter called “soft saturation.” The effect is subtle—if your ears aren’t catching it, you may not be sure what it’s doing. Soft saturation is meant to give you something akin to analog warmth. But how does soft saturation achieve this feat? Moreover, how and when should you use soft saturation?

What Is Soft Saturation and How Is It Used?

What Is Soft Saturation and How Is It Used?

by Nick Messitte, iZotope Contributor July 25, 2019

Soft saturation has many different applications, learn a few here!
You may have noticed Neutron 3’s EQ sports a parameter called “soft saturation.” The effect is subtle—if your ears aren’t catching it, you may not be sure what it’s doing. Soft saturation is meant to give you something akin to analog warmth. But how does soft saturation achieve this feat? Moreover, how and when should you use soft saturation?

The Difference Between VCA and Sub-Groups in Mixing

The Difference Between VCA and Sub-Groups in Mixing

by David Bawiec, iZotope Contributor July 24, 2019

VCA and sub-groups are useful tools in your mixing practice, but serve different purposes.
VCAs and sub-group busses can be easily confused. Here’s your primer on the difference and when it makes sense to use one vs. the other.

The examples are from Logic Pro X. In a simple sense Logic implements Folder Stacks as a VCA and Summing Stacks as a Sub-Group. By using the stacks you get convenient “tracks” in the Arrange/Tracks window.

Toggle Vertical Auto Zoom — Logic Pro X keyboard command of the day

Logic Pro X keyboard command of the day. #LogicProX @StudioIntern1

  Toggle Vertical Auto Zoom

Available as a button in the track displays. I zoom in and out (vertical and horizontal) a bit. I should do it more. I haven’t really spent the time learning zooming, but have found a great use for keypad numbers (I rescued them from jumping to numbered marker positions).

The 3 saved zoom settings are KP1,KP2, and KP3. Setting them is accomplished with ⌃KP1, ⌃KP2, and ⌃KP3. This makes the workflow so much easier!

Zoom windows — Logic Pro X

When you zoom in or out, the top-left (and selected) event or region remains in the visible area of the screen. If no selected region or event is visible, zooming is centered around the playhead. If the playhead isn’t visible, the current center of the window is retained.

⇧ SHIFT – ⌃ CONTROL – ⌥ OPTION – ⌘ COMMAND

Command    Key Touch Bar
- Global Commands
Zoom Window ⌃⌘M

- Various Windows
Set Zoom Tool
Zoom Horizontal Out ⌘←
Zoom Horizontal In ⌘→
Zoom Vertical Out ⌘↑
Zoom Vertical In ⌘↓
Recall Zoom 1 1
Recall Zoom 2 2
Recall Zoom 3 3
Save as Zoom 1 ⌃1
Save as Zoom 2 ⌃2
Save as Zoom 3 ⌃3
Zoom to fit Selection vertically and horizontally, store Navigation Snapshot
Zoom to fit Selection horizontally, store Navigation Snapshot
Zoom to fit Selection vertically, store Navigation Snapshot
Zoom to fit Locators, store Navigation Snapshot ⌃⇧Z
Zoom to fit All Contents, store Navigation Snapshot ⇧⌘F12
Toggle Zoom to fit Selection or All Contents Z
Toggle Horizontal Auto Zoom
Toggle Vertical Auto Zoom

- Main Window Tracks
Individual Track Zoom In ⌃⌥⌘↓
Individual Track Zoom Out ⌃⌥⌘↑
Toggle Individual Track Zoom ⌃⌥⌘Z
Toggle Zoom Focused Track ⌃Z
Reset Individual Track Zoom ⌃⌥⌘⌫
Individual Track Zoom Reset for All Tracks
Waveform Vertical Zoom x 1 (Normal)
Waveform Vertical Zoom x 2
Waveform Vertical Zoom x 4
Waveform Vertical Zoom x 8
Waveform Vertical Zoom Out ⌘-
Waveform Vertical Zoom In ⌘=
Toggle Waveform Vertical Zoom

- Smart Tempo Editor
Zoom All ↑

- Tools Menu
Zoom Tool Y