Cubase 10 Tutorial - Mixing Kontakt Drums in the MixConsole

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of mixing Kontakt drums in Cubase 10 using the MixConsole. If you're looking to get individual drum kit pieces from Kontakt to appear in your Cubase project, this step-by-step guide will help you understand the routing process, making your mixing experience smoother and more effective.

Step 1: Setting Up Kontakt in Cubase

1. Open Kontakt: Start by launching the Kontakt plugin within your Cubase project.
2. Load Your Drum Kit: In Kontakt, select and load the drum kit you want to use.
3. Configure Outputs:
   • Go to the output section in Kontakt.
   • Create separate outputs for each drum piece (kick, snare, hi-hat, etc.).
   • Click on the “Add Channels” button and select how many outputs you need (usually 8 for a full kit).

Step 2: Routing Outputs to Cubase

1. Access the Outputs Tab:
   • In the Kontakt interface, locate the Outputs tab where you configured outputs.
2. Assign Outputs:
   • Make sure each individual drum piece is routed to its corresponding output channel.
   • This allows each sound to be sent separately to Cubase for mixing.
3. Enable Outputs in Cubase:
   • Back in Cubase, open the MixConsole.
   • Locate the Kontakt instrument track and expand it to see the output channels. You should see the outputs you created in Kontakt.

Step 3: Creating Audio Tracks in Cubase

1. Add New Audio Tracks:
   • For each drum output, create a new audio track in Cubase.
   • Go to the Project menu and select “Add Track” > “Audio.”
2. Set Input for Each Track:
   • For each audio track, set the input to correspond with the outputs from Kontakt.
   • This enables you to record or monitor each drum piece individually.

Step 4: Mixing in the MixConsole

1. Adjust Levels and Panning:
   • In the MixConsole, adjust the volume levels and pan settings for each individual drum track to create a balanced mix.
2. Add Effects:
   • Apply EQ, compression, reverb, or other effects to enhance the sound of each drum piece as needed.
3. Use Group Channels:
   • Consider routing similar drum parts (like all toms) to a group channel for easier control over effects and overall volume.

Tips for Effective Mixing

• Monitor Each Track: Solo each track occasionally to ensure that each drum piece sounds good on its own.
• Avoid Clipping: Keep an eye on levels to prevent clipping, which can distort your sound.
• Use Reference Tracks: Compare your mix with professionally mixed tracks to evaluate your sound.

Conclusion

By following these steps, you can effectively mix Kontakt drums in Cubase 10, allowing for a more nuanced and controlled mixing process. Make sure to experiment with different settings and effects to find what works best for your drum sound. Happy mixing!