Mixing for a creative feel (not the same as mixing for release)

When it comes to how to mix for a creative feel versus mixing for release, we will walk through these steps in Chapter 7. For now, I want to highlight to you that this is another component of creating a signature sound that most novice producers don’t think about, but that all Power Users do. That is, mixing can be used with a creative approach to build and design a producer’s signature, in addition to mixing for commercial release, which is specific to making sure the finished record will sound the same across every type of medium a listener or fan might engage in hearing the final record (e.g., headphones, a car stereo system, a record player, sound systems in a venue, etc.).

A producer’s signature sound includes mixing for a creative feel because it gives them the ability to control the final sonic character of their creations. A mix can significantly affect how the listener hears each component...