Mix & Master Blog
Insights, Tutorials, Reviews, oh my!
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 beats in your bedroom or...
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 to make your mix...
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...
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. I’d get a killer kick sample, tweak the EQ, maybe...
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 digital audio production: How to Use...
How to Create a Radio Edit of Your Song
So you got your song all mixed and you can't wait to put it out, but the only problem is you have one swear word( or many) and radio won't play it. Luckily there are many ways you can edit swear words to make the song still sound natural. The best time to do it is...
Setting up a Pro Tools Mix Template
This week I go over how I set up a Pro Tools session before I start a new mix or song. Being organized is huge when it comes to mixing and mastering, so make sure to check this out! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iuai2_Fun3Q
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 a track, or give a hook that...
How To Setup Reverb
How to Setup Reverb If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by all the reverb options in your DAW, you’re not alone. Whether you’re producing in Pro Tools, Logic, Ableton, or Studio One, reverb can be set up in a few different ways—and each method serves a different creative...
How to Fly a Hook
Introduction A powerful hook can be the difference between a song that lingers in the background and one that captivates listeners from the first note. A hook is the catchy, memorable element of a song that grabs the audience's attention and makes them want to hear it...
How to find the Auto-Tune Key
How to Find the Auto-Tune Key for Pitch-Perfect Sound Editing As a professional mixing and mastering engineer, I know the importance of achieving the best possible sound quality in all projects. One tool that can greatly improve the pitch of your audio is Auto-Tune,...
