Parallel Compression Explained

Parallel compression was developed as a means to an end. The vast majority of compressors are “downward” in action. This means that they work by reducing the peaks in source material. Parallel compression, on the other hand, was designed to…

The 20 Best Reverb Plugins in 2023 [Free & Paid]

Reverb is one of the most commonly used effects in mixing. It’s part of a broader category of processors we sometimes call “time-based effects,” which also includes delay. Before digital, reverb was recorded using actual rooms called echo chambers. A…

How to Use a Compressor (Easy Beginner’s Guide)

Learning how to use a compressor is one of the most important mixing skills you can acquire. Compression is quite literally all over mixes, even becoming the sound we associate with loud, modern pop mixing. If there’s anything you want to…

25 Best Waves Plugins for Mixing in 2023

Waves plugins have been around since 1992 when the company first introduced its Q10 Paragraphic EQ. The Q10 broke new technological ground as the first audio plugin ever, with sound quality comparable to, or better than, its hardware equivalents. Over…

Should I Be Using Sidechain Compression?

Sidechain compression is a common “advanced” mixing technique. If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Should I use sidechain compression here?,” the answer is “Give it a shot!” It uses are somewhat particular, but sidechaining generally creates more separation, more rhythm, or more…

The 13 Best DAWs for Windows [2023 Complete Guide]

Most of today’s DAWs are cross-platform, making it easy to choose if you’re running PC. Some titles are Mac-only, like Apple’s own Logic Pro, but for the most part options won’t be limited if you’ve chosen Windows as your primary…

What is Spring Reverb?

Spring reverb is an early form of synthetic reverb. Similar in principle to plate, spring reverb uses a coiled up piece of metal instead of a flat sheet. What is Spring Reverb? A spring system has a transducer at one…

8 Tips for Amazing Low End!
Mixing low end can be tricky, and it is something we get a lot of questions about! Today I will be sharing some tips and tricks that you can use to get great low end in your mixes! We also…
Mixing with Headphones: What You Need to Know

There tend to be varying degrees of thought on mixing with headphones. Some of us are in bedrooms, our parent’s house, married with kids (not wanting to wake them up at 3am!), etc. It’s understandable that in certain cases mixing…

Compression Techniques: The Multiband Compressor

Learning to use a compressor is one of the most important mixing skills you can develop. Compression is all over mixes, even becoming the sound we associate with loud, modern pop mixing. If there’s anything you want to really understand, it’s…

Guidelines on How to EQ 14 Common Instruments

Understanding how to EQ–probably the most used tool available to engineers–is essential. Sometimes it’s as simple as high-passing an instrument, while other cases require more precision. Either way, EQ is fundamental in making mix elements sound more or less defined,…

Drum EQ Basics
In today's video we will be going over Drum EQ Basics! We also have the multitracks for you to download, so you can follow along and mix them yourself! Click here to download the multitracks! EQ is one of the…
Which Vocal Compressor is Right for the Mix?

We’ve stressed the importance of mixing vocals time and time again! Because lyrics are what average listeners immediately identify with, making a singer sound great should almost always be a priority. Amongst other tools, the perfect vocal compressor for the…

Reference Tracks: How to Use Them and Mistakes to Avoid

Reference tracks are used as a guideline while mixing. They can be supplied by the artist to demonstrate a desired aesthetic, or chosen by the mix engineer as a standard to go by. Using reference tracks can help us craft…

Reverb Mixing Tricks to Elevate Your Mix

Learning how to use reverb is an essential mixing skill. Time-based effects have the ability to add width and dimension to your mix, and give instruments their own sonic space. Reverb is often used to push mix elements further back,…

Mixing Vocals: The Produce Like A Pro Master List

Have you ever had trouble getting a vocal to sit right in the mix? Have you ever felt underwhelmed by the overall tonality of a vocal, whether it’s too thin or perhaps too muffled? Does the vocal feel too wet…

A Beginner’s Guide to Sidechain Compression

Sidechain compression is an intermediate level mixing technique that allows you to set an alternate input signal source from the track on which the compressor is inserted. For instance, if you place a compressor on the bass guitar and “sidechain”…

The Best Vocal Plugins to Add to Your Collection

When it’s time to mix a singer, you should be armed with some of the best vocal plugins you can get your hands on! We’ll be looking at some staples—dynamics processing and EQ—that really shine on vocal tracks. Of course,…

How to Mix Vocals Like a Pro

We’ve all struggled with mixing vocals at some point! It’s easy to feel frustrated when we just can’t seem to get it right, especially because vocals are so important for the listener. Fortunately, there are some standard as well as…

Mixing Vocals: Techniques for a More Exciting Performance

Since vocals are the first thing listeners tend to hone in on, they need to sound their absolute best. The overall sound you’re going for will vary from genre to genre, but the importance of a great sounding vocal is…

Home Studio Ideas: Essential Equipment & Considerations

For aspiring musicians, engineers, and producers, the home studio space is a prerequisite. It’s where you’ll spend countless hours writing songs, recording, mixing, and tinkering! Today, the home recording set-up doesn’t have to cost a fortune—there are many affordable ways…

A Great Vocal Compressor Can Change How You Mix

Vocals are the “face” of a song. They’re right out in front and the first thing listeners gravitate toward and identify with. Whether you’re mixing a massive pop vocal or a straight-forward rock singer, you’ll want to spend a solid…

The Best Tips for Using Reference Tracks

Trying to match the intensity and sonic quality of a commercial release is no easy task. It’s incredibly challenging, whether you’re an experienced professional or trying to mix for the first time. Using reference tracks is an essential technique when…

Mixing Music: Understanding the Basics

Mixing music requires both technical ability and the creativity to try things that would make a song compelling and interesting to listeners. Mix engineers firstly possess the technical knowledge of audio signal flow, DAW and/or console operation, and how to…