Mix & Master Blog

Insights, Tutorials, Reviews, oh my!

Should You Use Vocal Presets When Mixing?

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

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

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

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?!

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?

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

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?

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

Stems vs Tracks: Understanding the Difference

One of the most common questions I get revolves around the difference between stems vs tracks. Understanding this distinction is crucial for anyone involved in music production, as it directly impacts the mixing and mastering phases, ultimately shaping the final sound...

Mastering Your Mix with Oeksound Bloom

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 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

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...

Understanding RMS in Audio

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?

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

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

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

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

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,...

How to Disable Normalize on Apple Music and Spotify

How to Disable Normalize on Apple Music and Spotify

How to Disable Normalize on Spotify and Sound Check on Apple Music Introduction: In the world of digital music streaming, platforms like Apple Music and Spotify have introduced features like "Sound Check" and "Normalize" to maintain a consistent volume across songs....

Post Malone Vocal Effect

Post Malone Vocal Effect

Mastering the Post Malone Vocal Effect: A Deep Dive into Illangelo's Mixing Techniques Introduction Post Malone's distinctive vocal style is not just a product of his unique voice but also the result of sophisticated mixing techniques. These techniques, perfected by...

Choosing the Best Audio Mixer

Choosing the Best Audio Mixer

Selecting the right audio mixer is crucial for achieving the best results in mixing and recording. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the key factors to consider when choosing an audio mixer. Whether you are a live sound engineer or recording artist...

Best Reverb Settings for Drums: A Guide to Perfect Drum Ambience

The Art of Recording Drums with One Mic

Introduction: Embracing the Simplicity in Complexity I want to share a technique for recording drums with one mic. Though seemingly straightforward, this method is one that I've used for years, especially when I was young and didn't have a lot of money for...

10 Rap Songs with a Lot of Bass

10 Rap Songs with a Lot of Bass

Introduction When it comes to rap music, the bass isn't just an element — it's a statement. That deep, resonating bassline sets the mood, drives the rhythm, and can turn a good track into an unforgettable one. In this list, we're diving into ten rap songs that are not...

What does Remastered Music Mean?

What does Remastered Music Mean?

Introduction A term you hear a lot in the music world is Remastered. It's a process often shrouded in mystery yet pivotal in how we experience music. In this blog, I'll demystify what remastering involves, explore its nuances, and explore why it remains an essential...

Common Studio One Questions Answered!

Common Studio One Questions Answered!

Exploring Studio One 6.5: Answers to Common Questions for Beginners Introduction As someone who has navigated the complexities and joys of music production, I understand how important it is to choose the right DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). I've used Pro Tools for...

Best Reverb Settings for Drums: A Guide to Perfect Drum Ambience

The Power of Transient Designers

The Power of Transient Designers in Audio Production I've spent a good chunk of my life mixing and mastering, and I've got a bit of a soft spot for transient designers. They're kind of like the unsung heroes of the audio world. I've been around the block with these...

Studio One 6.5 – What’s New? 

Studio One 6.5 – What’s New? 

Studio One 6.5 - What's New? Introduction: Today, I'm thrilled to dive into the latest update of one of the most dynamic Digital Audio Workstations (DAW) out there - Studio One 6.5. As a professional mixing engineer, I've seen and worked with various DAWs, but Studio...