The main purpose of Audio Evolution is to mix a number of sound samples together to give a stereo output. There are two ways to control how loud each sound is in the final mix. One is to set up the automation lines on the Timeline, and the other is to use the Mixer. The Mixer is a simulation of a traditional hardware mixing desk and can be used in real time as the music is playing. Besides controlling the levels and the left-right panning, it allows you to apply effects which can be changed in real time, as the music is playing.

Tracks. Each module of the Mixer corresponds to one track on the Timeline. Any track may be mono or stereo (as indicated by the icons under the track names on the Timeline). The name and number of each track are shown at the left of the Timeline and at the bottom of the Mixer.

The number of tracks visible in the mixer can be set from two upward, by resizing the Mixer window. To see other tracks, scan forward or backward with the two arrows at the top left of the Mixer. The size of the Mixer window is saved with the Preferences.

Master Level Control. This is at the left end of the Mixer and has a red slider. It sets the final level of the stereo mixed output. The LEDs on either side of the slider show the current left and right levels. If these are hitting the top, reduce the level.

Real Time Effects. A set of three buttons and LEDs at the top of each mixer module enables the real-time effects for a track. The effects are applied to the whole track, not to individual samples. To apply an effect to one sample, not in real time, use the Plugins option in the menu in the sample list window.

Up to three effects can be applied to any track. Using too many effects will overload the processor. Overload can be reduced by sharing an effect between several tracks, using the Aux Send and Return. These are accessed via the small Up arrows next to the effects buttons.

Panning. The rotary knobs above the sliders control panning from left to right. If the track is mono, the same signal appears in both output channels, and the pan control sets the levels in each. If the track is stereo, the left signal will appear only in the left output, and the right in the right. The pan control now acts as a pair of level controls for the two channels. Even an extreme setting does not make the left signal appear on the right output. (If you want to do this, split the stereo sample file into two mono samples using the channel splitter in the Sample List window menu).

If there is an automation line for the panning of a track, the control knob will follow it during playback.

Mute and Solo. Mute means that this track is silent. Solo means that only this track is heard and all other tracks are silent. More detail here.

Level Controls. (Also known as volume controls or faders.) These act by reducing the amount of each track that makes up the final mix. Therefore the normal setting is fully up. This applies also to the automation line for volume in the Timeline. Mixing should be done by making the less important sounds quieter, not by making the more important sounds louder. The less important, the lower the level. This approach avoids the temptation of trying to make "everything louder than everything else".

The volume of a track is reduced in turn by the track's Level Control, the Subgroup Level Control (if in use), and the Master.

(If you do need to increase the level of a sample because it was recorded too low, either use the real-time Amplifier effect, or better, make a new sample file using Normalise.)