What is the Difference Between Mixing and Mastering?

You've poured your heart and soul into recording your music. The instruments are tracked, the vocals are laid down, and you're itching to share your masterpiece with the world. But before you go ahead and release your song into the world, two crucial steps remain that elevate your music from a home recording to a professional sounding track: mixing and mastering.

Mixing and mastering are extremely important to achieve a polished sounding final product that your audience will love. But what exactly do these terms mean, and how do they differ? Let's break it down!

Mixing: The Art of Balancing

Imagine mixing as combining all the individual ingredients of a food recipe. Each instrument (drums, guitars, vocals, etc.) is a separate ingredient. Mixing involves adjusting the volume, panning (placement in the stereo field), and applying effects to each track to create a cohesive and well balanced whole.

Here's what a mix engineer typically does:

EQ (equalisation): Sculpting the tonal balance of each instrument by boosting or cutting specific frequencies.

Compression: Taming dynamic peaks and making quieter elements more audible. Also adding colour to the sound and adjusting the ‘feel’ of the music.

Panning: Placing instruments in the stereo field (left, right, or somewhere in between) to create a sense of width.

Reverb and Delay: Adding depth and dimension to instruments and vocals.

Effects: Using distortion, chorus, phaser, flanger, tremolo, and many more to add different character or textures.

A skilled mix engineer uses these tools to achieve balance and bring out the emotion and intent of your music. After mixing, the elements of your track should generally be clearer, with more detail and the overall track should be more exciting and sound more defined. 

Mastering: The Final Polish

Mastering takes your finished mix and adds the final touches to prepare it for distribution across various platforms. Here, the focus is on:

Overall Level:  Mastering engineers ensure your track reaches a commercially viable loudness without audible unwanted distortion.

Clarity and Balance: Subtle adjustments enhance the mix's overall tonal balance and clarity.

Consistency: The mastering engineer ensures that all tracks have a consistent sound and level when mastering an entire album.

Translation: Mastering engineers consider how your music will translate across different playback systems (phones, car stereos, high-fidelity speakers).

Think of mastering as the final layer of paint or varnish on a new car. If all the car parts being assembled was the mixing stage, the final layers of paint and varnish are the mastering phase.

Why Are Both Mixing and Mastering Important?

A good mix is the foundation for a great master. No matter how well it's been mastered, a poorly mixed track won't sound professional. The old mixing adage - ‘you can’t polish a turd’ - springs to mind! Conversely, a perfectly balanced mix can sound dull or lackluster without proper mastering. In some cases though a perfect sounding mix needs very little in terms of mastering. Sometimes all that’s needed is an experienced pair of ears acting as quality control and saying it’s ready for release and distribution.

Taking Your Music to the Next Level: Mixing and Mastering Services at AM Music

The AM Music Advantage

Now that you understand the distinct roles of mixing and mastering, you might wonder: "Where do I go from here?" At AM Music, we offer both mixing and mastering services designed to elevate your music to the next level. 

Here's what sets us apart:

Experienced Engineers:  Our chief engineer Adam Mills has worked with some of the largest record companies and music publishers in the world, including Sony and BMG. He also has over 300 mixes sitting with TV music publishers, getting regular usage on TV and online media. His experience and keen ear for detail ensures that he brings out the best in your music,  faithfully translating your artistic vision into a polished sonic experience.

State-of-the-Art Equipment: We utilise industry-leading tools and top-of-the-line outboard gear to guarantee that your music benefits from the highest quality processing. From high-end analog compressors to the latest digital plugins, our studio is equipped to handle any sonic challenge you throw our way.

Collaborative Approach: We believe in open communication and fostering a collaborative environment throughout the mixing and mastering stages. We'll work closely with you to understand your musical vision and ensure the final product reflects your artistic intent. We'll provide regular updates and revisions to make sure you're happy.

Competitive Rates: We offer competitive pricing for our mixing and mastering services, making professional audio production accessible to artists of all levels. In these tough times we understand that budget is a concern, and we're committed to providing exceptional value.

Ready to Unleash Your Music's Potential?

Contact AM Music today to discuss your mixing and mastering needs. We'll happily answer any questions and provide you with a free quote. Let's collaborate and transform your recordings into professional-sounding masterpieces that will captivate your audience. Professional mixing and mastering could be the difference between 100 plays on Spotify and a million.

Here's what you can expect when you choose AM Music:

Expert guidance: You will be guided through every step of the process, ensuring a smooth and efficient workflow. 

Seamless Communication: We maintain open communication channels throughout the project, keeping you informed and involved in decision-making. We are available through email, WhatsApp, phone calls, zoom and social media channels.  

Fast Turnaround Times: We understand that time is precious. We offer efficient turnaround times without compromising on quality. 

100% Satisfaction Guarantee: We are dedicated to your satisfaction. We offer revisions until you're thrilled with the final product.

Investing in Your Music

Mixing and mastering are essential investments in your music career. These processes can significantly elevate the quality of your recordings, making them competitive in today's music market. By working with AM Music, you gain access to the expertise, equipment, and dedication required to achieve professional-grade audio production as well as the knowledge accumulated from working inside the music industry for over a decade. Take the first step towards sonic excellence. Contact AM Music today, and let's elevate your music to the next level.