The Difference Between Mixing and Mastering

Mixing and mastering are separate processes to create a finished song or track

Many audio engineers, producers, and musicians mistakenly assume these two processes are identical. Although they both deal with sound recording, mixing and mastering are completely different processes to create a finished song or track.

When done correctly, each stage ties together to create a professional-sounding product.

In this blog post, we will dive into what is involved in mixing and mastering so that you can understand why it's important to take advantage of both services when producing music.

Mixing

Mixing involves combining multiple tracks of audio, making sure all of the vocals, instruments, and sound effects are balanced with each other.

This includes adjusting the volume levels, equalization (EQ), panning (stereo placement of sounds in a mix), and adding effects such as compression, reverb, delay, etc.

Mastering

Mastering is taking a completed mix and polishing it to create a cohesive product that can be distributed across multiple mediums.

It involves adjusting the overall levels and enhancing certain frequency bands to ensure everything sounds balanced when played back on different playback systems.

Mastering adds depth and definition to the mix, making it sound professional and giving it a 'commercial' quality.

When done correctly, each stage ties together to create a professional-sounding product. Although both processes involve working with sound, mixing and mastering must be approached differently. They are two services designed to create a polished, high-quality song or track.

Purpose of Mixing and Mastering

Mixing and mastering are two of the most important steps in the music production process.

Mixing is taking all of a track's elements (drums, bass, vocals, etc.) and blending them to create a cohesive song.

Mastering then takes that mix and prepares it for commercial release by adding final touches such as compression, equalization, and limiting.

Mixing is where you craft the tone of your song and create a balance between all its components. You can think of it as building a house: you want each piece to fit perfectly for the structure to hold up. Mixing allows you to shape the sound of each element in your track and ensure everything fits together seamlessly.

Mastering is the final step in the production process and serves to prepare your mix for commercial release. It's a delicate art that requires a skilled engineer, as it involves tweaking small details like compression, equalization, and limiting to ensure your song sounds great on any system.

The purpose of mastering is to bring your mix up to a commercial standard and make sure it sounds great on any device or platform. It's an essential step that should not be overlooked if you want your song to sound professional and compete with established artists in the music industry.

How to mix a song

Mixing is altering individual audio tracks (such as vocals and instrumentals) to create a cohesive, balanced mix. This includes adjusting levels, adding effects, EQing sounds, and panning instruments to make them fit together within the song's context.

Mixing also involves balancing dynamics such as compression and limiting to create a consistent volume level throughout the track.

Mixing is an integral part of the production process and requires a skilled audio engineer or producer to execute properly. It's important to note that mixing should be done before mastering, as mastering engineers rely on a professionally mixed track to do their job correctly.

How to master a song

Mixing and mastering are essential steps in the process of music production. Mixing combines individual tracks' audio elements into a cohesive mix that sounds pleasing to the ear. Mastering, on the other hand, takes that mix and polishes it to make it radio-ready.

Mastering a song involves several steps. First, the mastering engineer analyzes the mix to check for any technical issues that need to be addressed.

Next, they adjust levels and apply dynamic processing such as compression and EQ. They also add a dose of stereo enhancement to give the track an open, wide feel.

Finally, they use limiters and other tools to ensure the track has consistent loudness and clarity across all streaming services.

The benefits of mixing and mastering

Mixing and mastering are both important processes in music production and can help to ensure that your track sounds professional and polished.

Mixing involves balancing individual instruments on all the tracks, such as drums, guitar, vocals, etc., and combining them into a single multi-track recording.

During this process, the engineer will use various techniques to ensure that all of the tracks blend nicely while also adjusting levels, adding effects, etc., to ensure that each track is at its best.

Mastering is taking a mix and optimizing it for playback on various platforms. The engineer will adjust levels between tracks during this stage and ensure consistent overall sound. They will also use various tools to add clarity, punch, and polish to the track.

The main benefit of mixing and mastering is that it allows you to create professional-sounding recordings without investing in expensive equipment or studio time.

When to hire a professional mixer or mastering engineer

Now that you understand what mixing engineers and mastering are and how they differ, it is important to know when to hire a professional final mix or mastering stage engineer.

The mixing engineer should always be done with a trained ear, as the process requires an experienced engineer who can properly bring out the core elements of the track.

On the other hand, mastering should be done by a professional who can use specific tools and techniques to ensure that all the song elements are balanced without damaging or suppressing any of the frequencies in the song.

A good mix and master will make all the difference in creating a polished, professional-sounding track that stands up against any competition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is mixing?

The mixing and mastering process combines and manipulates audio tracks to create a cohesive stereo track. This is done by adjusting levels, adding effects, and balancing frequencies so that each element in the song can be heard clearly.

What is mastering? 

Mastering is the final step in producing a track, and it involves fine-tuning the entire mix to create a professional-sounding product. This process includes adjusting levels across all frequencies, creating an optimal listening experience for any medium (CD, mp3, streaming services).

What are some common mastering techniques?

Common mastering techniques include EQ adjustments, compression, limiting, stereo imaging, and more. These techniques can help create a balanced, polished sound optimized for any audio format.

Can I master my own tracks?

The answer to this question is yes and no. While you can master your music, the results will likely be far less polished than that of an experienced audio engineer or professional mastering music studio.

Mixing processes and mastering each involves a suite of technical tools and a deep understanding of sound engineering principles to achieve the desired effect.

Is mastering harder than mixing?

Mixing and mastering are difficult to understand and perform at a high level. The mastering process is typically simpler than mixing subtle broad strokes, but that doesn't mean it is easier or requires less attention. The mixing stage and mastering require separate skills and thought processes.

Does mastering make the mix better?

Mastering is the final stage of audio production—putting the finishing touches on a song by enhancing the overall sound, mixing process, creating consistency across the album, and preparing it for distribution.

Conclusion

Now that you understand the difference between mixing and mastering and what each step entails, you can make informed decisions about your music production process.

If you are not sure whether your track is ready for mastering, consider hiring a professional audio engineer to take listen and provide feedback.

And remember, combining individual tracks, even if you cannot access high-end mixing and mastering equipment, many options are still available to help you get the best sound possible.

With a little practice and patience, you can create polished tracks that rival those of your favorite artists.