Handling intro-verse-chorus transitions with automation

This article outlines a couple techniques that can be used to create stereo music automations or transitions. The focus apparently leans towards instrumentals, but is likely applicable to all genres. It is part of a large series of articles of recommendations on how to shape the music that you edit or create.

Key Takeaways:

• The first trick I’ll mention is one of the oldest in the book and dates from the first stereo mixes. Its principle couldn’t be simpler: it basically consists in constraining the stereo width of the verses and then letting the dogs loose during the verses.
• The second automation trick linked directly to the structure of a song is the processing of breaks as separate entities. It’s pretty common to apply specific effects to these sections to highlight their role as musical transitions.
• To finish, here’s a more subtle but just as effective trick: temporarily EQing the highs at the beginning of a section, usually a chorus. Increasing a dB in the highs with a shelving filter at the beginning of a section is a frequently used technique to add some oomph to it.

“The second automation trick linked directly to the structure of a song is the processing of breaks as separate entities.”

http://en.audiofanzine.com/recording-mixing/editorial/articles/handling-intro-verse-chorus-transitions-with-automation.html