Definition of the word mix to

The expression "mix to" is commonly used in the field of audio engineering to denote the specific level at which two audio signals are combined or blended together. It refers to adjusting the volume or intensity of one or more audio sources until they are perfectly merged with another audio source. The origin of the phrase "mix to" can be traced back to the early days of analog recording when engineers would physically cut the audio levels on an existing mix with a fairly new track. They would simply move the faders (controls that adjust the volume) in two separate mixers to create a balanced output level. It was a time-consuming process that required a lot of skill, experience, and patience, and errors could result in regions of distortion or disjunction between the two mixes. With the advent of digital technology, mixing has become more streamlined, and the term "mix to" now refers to a process through which an engineer adjusts the relative volumes of separate audio tracks on a digital audio workstation (DAW) until they are blended together perfectly. Digital audio allows for the insertion of plugins, effects, and EQs to further refine the resulting mix. In summary, "mix to" originally meant physically adjusting audio levels of two mixers in an analog setting. With digital technology, it now relates to fine-tuning the levels of individual tracks until they are blended together seamlessly in a DAW. Regardless of the underlying technology, the goal remains the same: to create a harmonious coalescence of audio sources.