


Why Top 40 Hits Crush Spotify’s -14 LUFS Rule – 4 Tips for Loud, Competitive Masters
Why Top 40 Hits Crush Spotify’s -14 LUFS Rule – 4 Tips for Loud, Competitive Masters If you’re just getting into music production, you’ve probably heard this advice floating around: “Spotify wants your masters at -14 LUFS, so...
iZotope FXEQ Review – A Creative Game-Changer for Mixing and Mastering
iZotope FXEQ Review – A Creative Game-Changer for Mixing and Mastering Every now and then, a plugin drops that makes you stop what you’re doing, lean in, and say, “OK… that’s new.” iZotope’s FXEQ is one of those. This isn’t just another vintage compressor...
Is Online Mixing and Mastering Worth It in 2025?
“Can I really trust someone online to mix or master my music?” That’s the question a lot of artists are asking right now—and I get it. Between AI mastering bots, $15 Fiverr gigs, and social media engineers promising “industry quality,” it’s hard to know what’s legit...
How Much Do Mixing and Mastering Services Cost?
Typical Price Ranges in 2025 One of the most common questions I get from new clients is: “How much does it cost to get a song mixed and mastered?”And the honest answer is—it depends. Now before you roll your eyes, hear me out. There’s no...
What Is Gain in Audio? (And Why It’s the Key to Great Sound)
When I first started mixing, I used to think gain was just another word for volume. I’d turn up a knob, things would get louder, and I’d think, “Cool, that’s gain.” But what I didn’t understand is that gain isn’t about how loud you hear something—it’s about how loud...
Mixing a Song with the Waves Free Plugin Pack
Setting Up the Session with the Waves Free Plugin Pack A few days ago, I got an email from Waves saying they were releasing a new Waves Free Plugin Pack—nine plugins available to download at no cost. I’ve used Waves plugins for years, so I figured why not see...
How to Release Music on Spotify
How to Release Music on Spotify: A Real-World Guide for Independent Artists Releasing your music on Spotify isn’t just about uploading a file and hoping for the best. It’s a process—a launch, really—that combines creative intent with technical precision and marketing...
Kiive Audio Kstrip Review
Introduction: Classic Console DNA, Modern Plugin Mindset In today’s saturated plugin market, standing out requires more than just emulating vintage gear; it demands innovation that aligns with contemporary mixing workflows. Kiive Audio’s K-Strip achieves this by...
Best Music Distribution in 2025: The Good, The Bad & The UGLY!
Introduction Choosing the best music distribution service is critical to your success as an artist. Not all music distributors are created equal—some may take a significant portion of your earnings, others could negatively impact your audio quality, and only a few...
Pro Tools vs Studio One
Pro Tools vs Studio One: My Journey and Comparison (and Back Again) I started using Pro Tools nearly 20 years ago—back when it was the only DAW capable of delivering a truly professional digital audio recording. That’s why it became the industry standard—because for...