Mixing:
When I mix your music, I combine both technical and creative skills to bring your recorded tracks to their fullest potential.
- Typically, I start by applying EQ to make each instrument sound its best, to give each track its own space in the mix, and to create a full and balanced frequency response.
- Compression then comes into play to achieve balanced dynamics, and to add punch or fatness to your mix.
- Effects like reverb and delay are utilized to create space and depth, and to enhance the atmosphere and mood of your song.
- Balancing levels ensures that each element sits well alongside the rest, while strategic panning adds width and allows each instrument to occupy its own space in the stereo field.
- Where appropriate, other techniques and processes, such as the use of saturation, tape emulation, or analogue summing, are used to add character to your music.
- Finally, automation techniques are used to ensure that your songs engage your listeners from start to finish.
Please note, my mixing service does not include any forms of editing such as comping of multiple takes, editing of timing, or vocal tuning. If your song requires editing, I am happy to carry this work out for you, but it is not included in my normal mixing rate. Please contact me for a quote for editing.
Mastering:
In mastering, my aim is to take each of the songs that will appear on your release and make sure they sound their absolute best, that they sound as though they all belong together, and that they’re fully prepared for distribution.
- Through the use of stereo EQ and mid-side EQ techniques, I create tonal balance across all tracks, ensuring they translate well across various listening systems.
- Compression and limiting are used to achieve balanced and consistent dynamics while simultaneously optimizing playback levels across your project.
- Various measurements are monitored to ensure optimal sound quality when your songs are streamed online, and the relative levels of songs are carefully managed to establish intentional level relationships within the project.
- Quality control sees minor imperfections like pops or clicks addressed, and smooth fades are applied to ensure a polished listening experience.
- Lastly, your finalized files are delivered, optimized for streaming, digital download, and CD formats - fully prepared for release.
Stem Mastering:
An alternative to my normal mastering service is stem mastering. While traditional mastering applies processing to each mix as a stereo file, stem mastering offers a different approach. Instead of working with your stereo mix, you provide each group of instruments as individual stereo files—for instance, drums, guitars, vocals, etc.
The goals of stem mastering remain consistent with normal mastering, but this method allows for all processing to be applied to each group of instruments separately, offering enhanced precision, control, and flexibility compared to normal stereo mastering. Adjustments to the level balance between instrument groups can be made, and processing such as EQ and compression can be tailored to specific instrument groups without affecting others.
Stem mastering is an ideal choice if you're happy with your mix, but you want to ensure that I have the utmost control for fine-tuning and potential enhancements to ensure that we get the very best results from the mastering process.