The process of taking the outputs from a multitrack recorder, processing as required and combining all elements to create a stereo ‘master'.
The process of combining several audio tracks from a multitrack recorder through the use of a mixing console to create a stereo or four-channel master tape.
Also called "track down." The process of combining multiple tracks of sound into a final two-track mix that can be played back on an audio CD player, etc.
The process of mixing a multi-track recording down to a lower number of tracks. Traditionally this has always been two tracks, but nowadays with the advent of DVD and other multi-channel technologies it is common for mixes to be mixed to as many as seven tracks (or even more in some circumstances). This is traditionally the last, and arguably most critical phase of music production that is done in a recording studio. After this step the master tape (data) is sent to a mastering facility that specializes in the process of preparing them for public consumption. Sometimes even the mixdown is done at a separate facility with a special mixing engineer.
The final mixing of a recording, mixed down to the essential number of tracks (i.e.: 2 tracks, left and right, for stereo). The mixdown is used to produce the "master" recording.
The process during which a multitrack recording is balanced and transferred to two tracks (stereo) for playback or reproduction.