The difference between mono and stereo tracks
What Is a Mono Track? When we talk about a mono track, we’re talking about a single audio channel — just one stream of audio that gets sent equally to both the left and right speakers. No fancy stereo…
Matty Harris
Setting up a Tempo Based Reverb
Understanding the Role of Reverb in a Mix Reverb does more than just make things sound “big.” It shapes the emotional landscape of a track. Whether you’re working on a stripped-back acoustic ballad or a tightly produced trap record,…
How to Prepare Your Songs for Mastering
Understanding the Basics of Song Mastering What is Song Mastering? Mastering, in my experience working with both major label and independent artists, is often the final polish that takes a song from “great” to “ready for release.” It’s the…
The Best way to Record Vocals at Home
Start with the Room, Not the Mic If there’s one thing I’ve learned after mixing thousands of vocals—many of them recorded at home—it’s that the room will make or break your vocal sound. And unfortunately, this is also the part…
How to Separate a Drum Loop
How to Separate a Drum Loop (The Smart Way) When you’re knee-deep in production and stumble on the perfect drum loop—but wish the kick wasn’t buried under a pile of hi-hats—you’re not alone. I’ve been there. Whether you’re making…
The Two Most Important Things to Make Your Mix Sound Professional
Introduction After over 15 years of mixing records for artists across genres—from major label pop to gritty independent hip-hop—I can tell you this: the flashiest plugins won’t save a mix that doesn’t feel right. And if you’re wondering how…
Creating Drake’s Marvins Room Reverb Effect
Introduction: Why This Effect Still Hits Hard There’s something hauntingly timeless about the vocal reverb on Marvin’s Room. Drake’s delivery is already intimate, but the way that vocal trails off—echoing in the distance, almost like a memory—elevates the emotion…
How to use Parallel Compression on Kicks
If you’ve ever felt like your kick sounds good solo but disappears once everything else comes in — you’re not alone. Early in my career, especially working on EDM and pop sessions, I ran into that problem all the time.…
How To Use Automation In Pro Tools
How to Master Automation in Pro Tools: A Professional’s Guide Hello there! I’m Matty, a seasoned mixing and mastering engineer. Today, I’m excited to dive deep into a topic that’s close to my heart and crucial in the world of…
How to Create the Phone Effect
How to Create a Phone Effect in Any DAW Introduction As a professional mixing and mastering engineer, I’ve used the classic “phone effect” on countless records—whether it’s to add a lo-fi vibe to a vocal, create a transition moment in…