Copying a mix from one song to another

Question

Has anyone successfully done this without using paper and pencil?
I would define a mix as:
1. Plugins
2. Instruments
3. Automation
4. Static mixer values for pan and volume
1 & 2 can be dealt with by saving channel strips, tedious but it works.
How can 3 & 4 be easily copied?
And also, does anyone have any advise for managing multiple mixes in a single Logic song?

Answer 1

Thanks for the replies.
As far as static mixer values go, I would think that a template set up with these values saved would be the best option.
I'm not sure quite what you mean by this. I think what you are suggesting is not copying mixer settings out, but rather copy parts in. While I think this is suitable for some situations, it isn't suitable for others. For instance:
1. The song with the mix settings you want is part of a different logic "Project" or part of no "Project" at all. Is there a way to associate a existing Logic song with a different Logic Project?
2. The song containing the mix settings has become unstable / corrupt and needs to be recreated with a fresh Logic song.
3. The song containing the mix settings has an antiquated environment or was created in an earlier version of Logic.
My advice for managing multiple mixes, would simply be to name each mix appropriately, using the "Save As" function. I do this all the time for vocal up, vocal down, TV tracks and instrumental versions, and even for radio edits where endings are shortened, or the structure of the song is re-arranged.
This is what I usually do, I find it problematic though as a system like this can breakdown pretty quickly when put under the rigors of professional music production. For instance:
The client requests changes to a mix, no problem "Save As.." and call it mix 2 (You never know when they are going to ask you to return to mix1). Now, they like the mix but need changes to the timings as they've just had to re-cut the scene to satisfy the producer. Ok, "Save As.." another file containing the new mix and the tempo remappings / arrangement edits. Great. Ok now the director is back from vacation and doesn't like the changes the producer had you make to original mix you delivered (he likes the re-cut though). Now you are stuck with information you need 2 or more song files. This I find, is where Logic breaks down and starts costing you time unnecessarily.
In contrast, an application like DP allows you to select from any number of mixes you've saved via a drop down menu on the track mixer. In addition, your tempo, time sig. and part editing can all be contained in the same project file allowing you to make these types of changes in a new "Sequence" without using a seperate "Environment". In the scenario described above, a DP user need only select via drop down menu the "Re-cut" version and select also via drop down menu the mix that had been saved earlier. Total time: 10 secs at most.
I still haven't found a way to adequately deal with these situations in Logic. I do agree however, that where I can, I'll have to start thinking of the process in reverse (Bringing parts, tempo, time sig, etc into an existing mix)
I'm really hoping Logic 8 will bring some improvements allowing us to better handle mix and arrangment versioning.