Posted on May 11th, 2023.

Music is not only an art form but also a science. Mixing and mastering music is the science of making a song sound perfect for listeners’ ears.

Mixing is the process of balancing individual tracks in a song and manipulating their frequencies, volumes, and panning to create a smooth and cohesive sound. Mastering, on the other hand, is the final stage in music production that combines all the mixed tracks into a single stereo file and makes it ready for commercial release. Let’s dive into the process of mixing and mastering music.

Preparation Stage

The first step in preparing for mixing and mastering is to gather all the necessary files and materials. This includes the audio files, any additional samples or effects being used, as well as any notes or references to use as a guide throughout the session. The audio files should be organized by track and labeled correctly, to avoid any confusion during the mixing process.

Next, it is important to ensure that all equipment and software being used is set up and functioning properly. This includes ensuring all cables are connected and that any necessary updates have been installed. It’s also a good idea to test the equipment and software beforehand to minimize any chances of technical difficulties during the session.

Before beginning the mixing and mastering process, it is crucial to establish a clear direction and vision for the final product. This involves having a general idea of the sound and vibe that is desired. It is also important to communicate this vision to the mixing and mastering engineer, so they can understand and work towards achieving the desired sound.

Once all the necessary files have been gathered, equipment has been set up and a clear vision has been established, it’s time to begin the actual mixing process. During mixing, the audio files are balanced, equalized and edited to achieve the desired sound. This involves adjusting the levels of each track to create a cohesive mix and applying any necessary effects or plugins to enhance the sound.

After mixing is complete, mastering is the final step in the preparation process. Mastering is the process of fine-tuning the overall sound of the mix, ensuring that it is consistent and ready for distribution. This involves applying compression, equalization, and limiting to the mix to add polish and make it as loud as possible without sacrificing quality.

Mixing Music

Mixing is the process where individual, recorded tracks of a song are manipulated to sound smooth and more refined. Let's say you have a song with vocals, bass, drums, and guitar. 

First, one of the essential steps, into breaking the song into different tracks with corresponding channels. Once tracks have been separated, it’s time to enhance them by adjusting their frequency levels, stereo width, dynamics, and clarity, utilizing plugins like compressors, equalizers, and reverb.

Frequency Levels: Frequencies are audio signals we hear, ranging from low to high. Different instruments and sounds produce different frequencies. Their frequency ranges must complement each other without clashing. To achieve this, a mixing engineer uses equalizers to adjust frequencies between instruments.

Stereo Width: Panning of each track from left to right can enhance or reduce stereo width, creating depth in the song. Some artists use this to their advantage, incorporating directional sounds to emphasize either a sense of spatial awareness within the song, or adding additional features to the tracks, such as sound effects, spoken words, whispering or vocalizing related to the song or album's theme, or even as an "easter egg" for those paying close attention.

Dynamics: Dynamics give life to the song by controlling the volume level, the attack and release time of tracks, and other elements. A compressor is a device that reduces the dynamic range of a track, smoothing it out while making sure that it doesn't sound too loud or too soft to the ears. A properly timed rise in the instrumentals, a perfect lull in the action as a breather, or even incorporating and discarding different aspects of the instrumentals just as the lyrics become more intense or subdued are all small details that can make all the difference in the world in terms of mood and atmosphere.

Clarity: Finally, a mixing engineer uses reverb to create a sense of space for each track. Reverb simulates sound in a real environment, like a room or a concert hall. It adds depth and spaciousness to a track.

At this stage, mixing engineers leverage technology and music production software, such as ProTools and Logic Pro, to complete the mixing process.

Mastering Music

Mastering music is the final stage in music production. This is where the mixing engineer polishes up the entire song, making it loud and consistent across all platforms.

The mastering process consists of three essential stages, namely:

1. Preparation stage,

2. Mastering stage,

3. Storing and delivering the final mastered track.

Mastering Stage

The mastering stage involves several important processes:

1. Equalization: The mastering engineer uses equalization to balance the frequency range of the entire song.

2. Compression: The mastering engineer uses compression to create consistency and produce louder effects of the song. Compressors bring the lowest volume of the song to the same level as the highest volume. 

3. Limiting: This final step in the mastering process is limiting. A limiter limits the level of the track to prevent distortion while simultaneously increasing the overall volume of the song.

Storing and Delivering

The mastering engineer will then create the final master stereo file and prepare it for distribution through music platforms like Spotify or iTunes.

Mixing and mastering music is a complex process and takes so much attention to detail, craft skills, and finesse to achieve perfection. While mixing and mastering professionals can produce a great-sounding track, understanding this process can help music artists and executives make sound decisions about their music.

Mixing and mastering make or break a song. They are the final step to create a polished, refined, and high-quality sound that can attract, engage, and sustain an audience.

Don't settle for mediocre audio quality any longer. Whether you're a musician striving for professional sound or a content creator in need of top-notch audio for your projects, The Chosen Entertainment is here to help. Our team of experts in mixing and mastering will work tirelessly to ensure your audio sounds crisp, clear, and professional. So why wait? Contact us today at [email protected] to discover the difference we can make in your audio production. We look forward to helping you create exceptional sound.