Preparing for the Mix

Mixing is a critical step in music production. When it’s done correctly, it takes your music to a whole new level. When it’s executed poorly, even the best song can turn into a painful listening experience.

Many people are intimidated by the process of mixing. There is so much to consider during a mix session, both at an artistic and technical level, that being able to maintain a sharp focus throughout the session may become overwhelming.

I’ve been teaching music technology for more than 20 years now, and I’ve observed on countless occasions that people struggle with their mixes mostly due to a lack of preparation – they get lost inside an endless maze of unorganized musical material and lose their ability to focus. Once we sort everything out by organizing a project, a mix session becomes much more manageable, allowing you to focus on what really matters and present your music in the best light possible. It brings an element...