a couple mix things...when mixing I want to mute the other tracks,yes?? Do I need the master track showing for mixing? If I dont want to do anything iTunes...is my bounce my final ending? If so then I need the master reverb on when I bounce,yes??

Ok, as far as mixing goes.. >> When mixing I want to mute the other tracks, yes?? Er...what other tracks? Your finished mix file will include everything you hear in playback, so if you don't want certain tracks included in the mix, then yes, go ahead and mute them. But if you mean should you solo each track while adjusting its EQ/comp/etc, then yes & no—you might want to make processing adjustments to a track while soloed at times, but ultimately all your mix settings should be finalized hearing the track in context of the full mix. >> Do I need the master track showing for mixing? Not really—normally you'd leave that fader at the default 0.0dB level anyway. But if you wanted to do a fadeout at the end of the song, then you'd need the Master track. >> If I don't want to do anything iTunes...is my bounce my final ending? The bounce-to-disk (Export Song to Disk...) should be the finished mix file. >> If so then I need the master reverb on when I bounce, yes? Reverb is a mixing choice, depending on the mix and musical style. If you want to add different amounts of reverb to different tracks, then you'd have to have the master reverb on (which it is by default), and dial up different amounts with each track's reverb slider (at the bottom (under plug-ins) in the Smart Controls panel (shortcut "B")).

ok I have a finished mix file on my Desktop. But I mixed with all the master fx off because everyone said to turn them off for mixing....then I am supposed to create anew proj. which I did..but when I open the mix file in the new project it is in the pre mix form..all the trcks instead of just 2 stereo tracks...The master is supposed to be just 2 tracks.. what is the problem??

Ok, I need you to clarify what you did and what you're now trying to do.. - When you say you "mixed with all the master fx off" do you mean the Master Echo/Master Reverb, or any/all plug-ins (EQ/comp/etc) in the plug-in slots in the Master tab in the Smart Controls pane? - Why are you now returning to that song? Are you looking to master it with EQ/comp applied to the finished mix? If so, then don't return to the original project file, create a new project, and drag in just the finished mix audiofile, which should show up as one stereo track. Then you could apply mastering processing to either the channel itself, or to the Master track. - If you're saying that when you "open the mix file in the new project" it opens to the original project layout (multiple individual tracks), then you apparently didn't actually bounce it down to an audiofile—I'd guess you must have shared it as a project. To bounce down to a finished (stereo) audiofile, use the Share menu option called "Export Song to Disk..." and select WAVE > Uncompressed 24-bit—this will create the finished full-quality stereo audiofile on your hard disk, which you can play in iTunes, QuickTime Player, or any audio application, and which you should be able to drag into a new project (onto a single stereo track), as with any audiofile.

I made a few masters....GB comes with those 3-4 fx for mastering... I just left them alone.....but maybe I shouldnt use them all.... would you use all the stock ones?? which one/s would you do without for instrumental stuff?? It would be nice if there was a vst that merged into GB and kind of guided you on the master..checking levels for you and giving suggestions.... My finished stuff is ok....I learned a fair bit about the whole process..I put my song on the web for sale, it came out sounding pretty good and sort of cinematic sort of like Mark Isham style. I always liked his stuff.... mostly I hope the song connects me to other people who like the fusion kind of stuff I like and could maybe guide me in the next level of learning. I like the old ECM stuff from the 70s and jazz fusion too.Nothing like todays pathetic chimpanzee mind numbing crap. I am embarrassed to see the dumbing down of todays youth and what they consider artistic. Must have been too much junkfood and industrial chemicals in the air since the 80s..Anyway I got Cubase free with my interface so I think I will put my learning energy into that platform. Its complex but interesting. But I will need a guide for that. But GB was a good place to start.Thanks for all the help.

>> Thanks for all the help. You're welcome! :-) If you wanted to dig a little deeper into mastering, here are a few courses that focus on that.. This course is a general introduction to the art of mastering: https://www.macprovideo.com/course/mastering-in-the-box This course digs a little deeper, specific to mastering in Logic (GB's big brother), including a brief bit on new loudness standards: https://www.macprovideo.com/course/apple-logic-pro-x-mastering-essentials This course is more tips & tricks for mastering: https://www.macprovideo.com/course/daniel-wyatt-mastering-tips >> I got Cubase free with my interface so I think I will put my learning energy into that platform. >> It's complex but interesting. But I will need a guide for that. I've started a new thread based on that part of your post in the Cubase sub-forum, linked to one of out latest Cubase core courses. Though I'm a Logic/Pro Tools guy, Cubase is a worthy DAW (similar in some ways to Logic, they were once part of the same company many eons ago) and Studio One (which was started by several ex-Cubase programmers).