Are the mixes right?
If you are mixing your own music, here are some tips to make you feel more confident the tracks are ready for mastering.
Don’t rush things: And avoid sending final mixes late at night when your ears are tired.
Get feedback: Bandmates, other musicians, engineers etc.
Consult me: If there's no tight deadline, send the mixes for a quick review. I can often spot fixable issues with a brief listen.
Listen across multiple devices
Check the exported file: Always listen to the final export, not just what’s playing in your DAW.
Mixing multiple tracks from the same release
Sonic consistency: Ensure tracks sound cohesive together, not just individually. Listen to each export side by side throughout the mixing process.
Vocals: Keep vocal levels and tone consistent across tracks to maintain a unified sound.
Kick drum: For genres like dance music, make sure the kick drum is balanced between tracks, think of it like a good DJ set where all tracks flow smoothly.
Instrument levels: Balance the levels, stereo field, and overall tone of other instruments for uniformity.
At the end of the day, though, when creating consistency it’s best just to go with your gut.
