Sonible smart:chain review and mixing tutorial

Sonible smart:chain is an intelligent channel strip that analyzes an audio track and proposes processing settings. This sponsored review explains how to select an instrument type, run the learn process, and adjust the results manually. Its six modules include an EQ, compressor, input level rider, adaptive de-esser or de-harsh processor, saturator, and gate. Users can disable modules and choose which ones participate in the initial analysis.

The presenter describes the learned settings as often subtle, with larger changes possible through manual adjustment. A shared window allows individual editing of every smart:chain instance in a project. Groups add front, middle, and back layers; moving a track between them changes its EQ and compression to adjust its prominence.

The tutorial also demonstrates genre-based auto leveling and subsequent balance adjustments between groups. The final comparison uses raw tracks and a processed mix, with the presenter manually matching levels because auto leveling can produce a quieter result. Reverb, delay, and chorus still require separate processing. The presenter closes by suggesting smart:chain could be an alternative to iZotope's Neutron bundle, rather than demonstrating a direct comparison between the two.