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

Vinyl Mastering 101: What You Need to Know Before Cutting a Record
Brief Overview of Vinyl Resurgence and Its Significance in Music Culture In recent years, vinyl records have experienced a remarkable resurgence, captivating the hearts of audiophiles and casual listeners alike. This revival can be attributed to the unique, warm sound...

Best Music Production Software 2024
Introduction In the dynamic world of music production, choosing the right software is crucial for translating your creative ideas into polished tracks. The right Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) can significantly influence your workflow, creativity, and overall sound...

The Evolution and Art of Music Production: A Comprehensive Guide
Introduction to Music Production Music production is the cornerstone of the music industry, shaping the sounds and styles that define our cultural landscape. From the early days of analog recording to today's digital age, music production has undergone a...

How I Started My Mixing and Mastering Business
A Journey Through the Music Industry My story begins over two decades ago, where my passion for music led me to pursue a career in mixing and mastering. I started working in recording studios in Boston, a city known for its vibrant music scene. These early years were...

Professional Music Engineer for Hire: Enhancing Your Sound
Finding a music engineer for hire can make a significant difference in the quality of your music production. In the modern music industry, the role of a music engineer is crucial, offering expertise that transforms raw recordings into polished tracks. This article...

Three New Plugins from Kiive Audio & AudioScape
Introduction In today's blog post, we delve into the exciting world of Kiive Audio and their latest trio of plugins. These plugins stand out because they emulate some of the most revered hardware units originally crafted by Audioscape. Whether you're an audio...

Why Professional Mixing Sounds Better Than DIY
DIY vs Professional Mixing: When to Do It Yourself (And When You Really Shouldn't) I got my start in mixing the old-fashioned way - as an intern at Waltz Audio in Boston, back when there were no YouTube tutorials or online mixing courses. If you wanted to learn how to...

Music Mixing and Why It Is Important
Introduction: More Than Just Faders and Plugins There’s a moment every artist experiences — they’ve written something real, maybe even beautiful, but when they press play, something’s missing. The emotion is there, but the sound? It feels flat. The kick doesn’t...

Ultimate Guide to Vocal Presets: Everything You Need to Know
Introduction In the dynamic world of music production, achieving the perfect vocal sound is crucial. Vocal presets have revolutionized this aspect, offering both amateur and professional producers a powerful tool to enhance their work. This guide delves into...

Top 10 Tips for Professional Mixing and Mastering
Introduction In the world of music production, professional mixing and mastering are critical processes that can make or break a track. While songwriting and recording lay the foundation, it’s through mixing and mastering that a song reaches its full potential,...

The Evolution of Professional Mixing and Mastering
The Evolution of Professional Mixing and Mastering As an expert in audio engineering, I've seen the big changes in mixing and mastering for music. From the old days of recording straight to vinyl to the digital world now, a lot has changed. The job of a mastering...

The Ultimate Guide to the Best Mixing and Mastering Book
In the world of audio engineering, mastering the art of mixing and mastering is crucial for creating high-quality music. Whether you're a novice producer or a seasoned audio engineer, having the right resources can make all the difference. This is a guide of some of...

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...

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 If you’ve ever listened to a song and thought, “Damn, that sounds massive,” chances are, a great mixing engineer had a lot to do with it. In today’s music world, where listeners are flooded with options and attention...

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. ...

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...