Panning is used to position individual tracks within the stereo field, creating a sense of space and width in the mix. It helps to separate instruments and vocals, making them more distinct and easier to hear.

Shelving EQ is often used to reduce harshness or sibilance in vocals by attenuating the high frequencies above a certain threshold. This helps to tame excessive brightness and make the vocals sound smoother and more pleasant.

Compression is used to reduce the dynamic range of a track, making the loud parts quieter and the quiet parts louder. This helps to create a more consistent and balanced mix, and it can also be used to control the overall level of a track.

Reverb is used to add depth and ambience to a track by simulating the natural reverberation that occurs in a room or other acoustic space. This helps to create a more realistic and immersive listening experience.

Subgrouping involves grouping similar tracks together and processing them as a single unit. This helps to create a more cohesive and balanced mix, and it can also make it easier to apply effects to multiple tracks at once.

Parallel processing involves sending a copy of a track to an auxiliary channel, processing it with effects, and then blending it back in with the original track. This can be used to achieve a more natural and realistic sound, as it allows you to add effects without completely altering the original track.

Sidechain compression involves using a compressor to control the level of one track based on the level of another track. This can be used to create a variety of effects, such as ducking the volume of a backing track when a vocal comes in, or creating a pumping effect on a bass track.

Multiband compression allows you to apply different levels of compression to different frequency ranges of a track. This can be used to control the dynamics of a track more precisely, and it can also be used to create special effects, such as emphasizing certain frequencies or reducing the level of unwanted noise.

A limiter is used to prevent clipping and distortion by limiting the maximum level of a track. This is important for protecting your speakers and other equipment, and it can also help to create a more consistent and balanced mix.

Creative effects processing involves using a combination of effects to create a specific mood or atmosphere. This can be used to add interest and excitement to a mix, and it can also be used to create unique and memorable sounds.

A de-esser is used to reduce harshness or sibilance in vocals by attenuating the high frequencies above a certain threshold. This helps to tame excessive brightness and make the vocals sound smoother and more pleasant.

Noise gating involves using a gate to remove unwanted noise from a track. This can be used to eliminate background noise, such as hiss or hum, and it can also be used to create special effects, such as creating a staccato sound.

Distortion is used to add warmth and saturation to a track by introducing harmonic distortion. This can help to make a track sound thicker and fuller, and it can also be used to create special effects, such as simulating the sound of an overdriven guitar.

Delay is used to create a sense of space and ambience by introducing a time delay between the original signal and its delayed version. This can help to create a more spacious and immersive listening experience.

Chorus is used to create a thicker and fuller sound by introducing multiple copies of the original signal, each with a slightly different pitch and delay. This can help to create a more lush and spacious sound.