Mix & Master Blog
Insights, Tutorials, Reviews, oh my!

The Basics of Audio Mastering: Elevate Your Sound
Audio mastering is the final step in the music production process, and it is crucial for creating professional-sounding tracks. By understanding the basics of audio mastering, you can enhance your audio production skills and ensure your music is ready for...

Steps to Prepare Your Song for Professional Mixing
Steps to Prepare Your Song for Professional Mixing Preparing your song for professional mixing is a crucial step in the music production process. A well-prepared track ensures that the mixing engineer can work efficiently and effectively to bring out the best in your...

A Deep Dive into Softube’s Flow Mastering Suite
In the world of automated mastering, Softube has introduced a new player: the Flow Mastering Suite. This software is not fully automated like its competitors, such as Waves or Lander. Instead, it offers a unique approach by collaborating with mastering engineer...

4 Proven Tips to Achieve Success on SoundBetter.com
Introduction Over the past several years, I've been fortunate to be among the's top-rated mixing and mastering engineers on SoundBetter.com, earning well over $300,000. If you're struggling to find clients on SoundBetter, you're in the right place. Today, I will share...

Pro Vocal Mixing Secrets Using Only FabFilter Plugins
Introduction Welcome to my blog! Today, I’m excited to share with you the secrets of vocal mixing using only FabFilter plugins. In this post, I will walk you through the exact techniques and settings I use every day for EQ, compression, reverb, delay, and more. We’ll...

Professional Mixing and Mastering Services: Elevate Your Sound
Introduction In the evolving landscape of music production, the roles of mixing and mastering are more crucial than ever. Professional mixing and mastering services provide artists with the expertise and technical finesse necessary to create polished, radio-ready...

Bettermaker BM60: The Reverb Plugin You Didn’t Know You Needed
Introduction In the realm of music production, the quality and versatility of reverb plugins can significantly enhance a track. The Bettermaker BM60, a new offering from Plugin Alliance, promises to deliver exceptional reverb effects. This article reviews the plugin's...

How to Hire a Mastering Engineer
Introduction Hiring a mastering engineer can be a daunting task, especially with the myriad of options available today. However, with the right approach and understanding, you can find the perfect engineer to elevate your music. In this guide, I'll share insights and...

Ultimate Guide to Hiring a Mixing Engineer
Introduction The Importance of a Mixing Engineer When it comes to producing high-quality music, the role of a mixing engineer cannot be overstated. As someone who has spent years in the music industry, I can confidently say that a skilled mixing engineer is the...

Logic Pro 11 Update!
Introduction As a seasoned professional in the music production industry, I am thrilled to share insights into the groundbreaking updates of Logic Pro 11. This latest version introduces a host of new AI-powered features that are set to revolutionize the way we create...
Techivation AI-Loudener Review
Introduction In the rapidly evolving world of music production, artificial intelligence (AI) is making an unmistakable impact, transforming how we interact with sound, tools, and creative processes. As someone deeply embedded in the music tech industry, I've watched...
Should You Use Vocal Presets When Mixing?
Introduction Mixing vocals can be one of the most challenging yet rewarding aspects of music production. As a professional mixing engineer, I understand that achieving a polished vocal track can significantly impact the overall quality of a song. In today’s digital...
Build a Song That Sounds Massive
How to Build a Chorus That Elevates Your Songs to New Heights I work on over 200 songs each year, and one of the most common challenges I encounter is the misconception about what mixing can achieve. Many artists send tracks hoping that mixing alone will transform a...
Best Sounding Drum Songs
In the realm of music production, few elements capture the essence of rhythm and drive quite like the sound of drums. From thunderous beats that shake the ground to subtle nuances that weave through melodies, the art of capturing the perfect drum sound is an integral...
Mixing with Softube Console 1 MK3 and SSL UF1
Having worked with everything from Avid S1 and Dock to numerous DAW controllers, the journey to finding the proper mix setup was extensive. Lately, I've gravitated towards a combination that seems to work great—the Softube Console 1 MK3 paired with the SSL UF1. In...
Verve Analog Machines Review: Really a new Plugin?!
In the ever-evolving world of music production, the quest for that perfect, vintage analog sound remains a holy grail for producers and engineers alike. Enter the Universal Audio Verve Analog Machines plugin, a tool that promises to bridge the gap between the warmth...
Sonible Unmask: A Revolutionary Tool or Just Another Plugin?
In the evolving world of music production, every producer and mix engineer faces the challenge of achieving clarity and balance in mixes. With the introduction of Sonible Unmask, a new contender has entered the arena, promising to ease this age-old struggle. But does...
Changing Tempo Without Stretching in Studio One
Introduction This article guides you through adjusting the tempo of your project in PreSonus Studio One without altering the pitch or timing of your audio tracks, a crucial technique for remixing, live performances, and post-production work. Changing Tempo Without...
Orange Clipper Plugin vs. FL Clipper: Is it Close?
Today, I'm comparing Schwab Digital's Orange Clipper plugin to its counterpart, the renowned FL (Fruity Loops) Clipper. Both plugins have merits, but how do they compare? Overview of Orange Clipper The Orange Clipper aims to bridge a gap many of us didn't fully...
Stems vs Tracks: Understanding the Difference
What Are Stems? Understanding the Difference Between Stems and Tracks One of the most common questions I get is about the difference between stems and tracks. This distinction can be a bit confusing, but it’s essential to understand, especially when collaborating on a...
Mastering Your Mix with Oeksound Bloom
Introduction to Oeksound Bloom In the ever-evolving world of music production, finding tools that not only enhance the quality of your mix but also streamline your workflow is paramount. As someone deeply entrenched in the art and science of mixing and mastering, I'm...
Kiive Audio Nfuse vs. Analog Hardware
Kiive Audio Nfuse Plugin vs. Analog Hardware Hey everyone, Matt here. Today, I'm diving into the Nfuse plugin by Kiive Audio. It's touted as the digital twin of two heavyweight champions in the analog world—the Neve Masterbus Transformer and the SSL Fusion. As someone...
The Ultimate Guide to Understanding Microphones
Today, I'm diving deep into the heart of music production's most pivotal tool: microphones. Whether you're a budding musician, an aspiring producer, or simply a sound enthusiast, understanding the nuances of different microphone types is crucial. So, let's embark on...
SSL UF1: A Deep Dive Review- – Your Essential DAW Control Center?
Hi everyone, Matty here. Today, we're delving into the world of DAW control surfaces, specifically the SSL UF1. Solid State Logic (SSL) has a legendary reputation in the audio world, known for their massive, high-end mixing consoles used on countless hit records....
Understanding RMS in Audio
Welcome to our guide on understanding RMS in audio. If you've ever wondered what RMS means or how it relates to audio, you've come to the right place! In this article, we'll explore the meaning of RMS and its significance in the world of sound waves and music...
Exploring the Beat: What is an 808 Drum Machine?
The iconic 808 drum machine, also known as the Roland TR-808, has had a transformative impact on the music industry. Its distinct drum sounds, especially the deep and resonant bass drum, have shaped genres like hip-hop, EDM, and electronic pop. Despite facing...
Exploring Mix Bus Secrets: Insights from Top Engineers
Introduction Today, we're going to embark on a journey into the world of mixed bus processing. For many new engineers and seasoned pros alike, the mix bus holds a certain mystique—the last stage, where final touches are applied to glue the mix together, enhance its...
A Deep Dive into Waves Space Rider
Introduction In the world of music production, the right tools can make all the difference. Today, I want to talk about one such tool, the Waves Space Rider. As someone who has spent a considerable amount of time in studios, tweaking knobs and sliders to get that...
Review of Newfangled Audio Recirculate
Exploring the Wonders of Recirculate: The Ultimate Delay Plugin In the realm of audio production, I constantly encounter a wide array of plugins. Yet, it's not every day that a plugin captures my attention quite like Newfangled Audio's Recirculate. In this blog post,...
Softube’s Tube-Tech Blue Tone Plugin
Mastering Your Mix with Softube's Tube-Tech Blue Tone Plugin I've had the opportunity to work with a plethora of tools designed to enhance audio production. One such tool that has recently caught my attention is the Softube Tube-Tech Blue Tone plugin. In this guide,...