10 Best Music Mixing Practices for Professional Sound Quality

Published on 19 June 2023 10 min read

7. Creating Space with Stereo Widening

9. Automating Fade-Ins, Fade-Outs, and Transitions

10. Using Premium Plugins for Professional Sound Quality

When it comes to music mixing, achieving professional sound quality is the ultimate goal. In this guide, we'll explore 10 music mixing best practices for achieving professional sound quality that will elevate your mixes and help you create polished, radio-ready tracks. Let's dive in!

1. Setting the Stage

Before you start mixing, it's essential to set the stage for a successful mix. Here are a few key steps to help you prepare:

Organize your tracks: Properly label and color-code each track in your mix, making it easy to identify and work with.
Create a mix template: Save time and maintain consistency by setting up a mix template with your go-to plugins, busses, and routing.
Check for phase issues: Ensure that your tracks are in phase, as phase problems can negatively affect the sound quality of your mix. Use a phase meter or simply listen to each track in mono to identify any issues.
Balance your levels: Start with a rough mix by adjusting the volume of each track to achieve a balanced blend. This gives you a solid starting point for implementing the music mixing best practices for achieving professional sound quality.

With your stage set and your tracks organized, you're now ready to dive into the mixing process. Remember, the key to a great mix is patience and attention to detail—take your time and trust your ears!

2. Gain Staging

Gain staging is a critical component of music mixing best practices for achieving professional sound quality. It involves properly managing the input and output levels of your audio signals throughout the mixing process. Here are some tips for effective gain staging:

Set optimal input levels: Ensure that your tracks are recorded at a healthy level, typically between -18 and -12 dBFS, to provide enough headroom for mixing without clipping or distorting.
Use gain plugins or clip gain: If your recorded tracks are too loud or too quiet, use a gain plugin or adjust the clip gain to achieve the desired level before applying any processing.
Monitor your output levels: Keep an eye on your master bus output level, making sure it doesn't exceed 0 dBFS. Aim for a level around -6 dBFS to allow for headroom during the mastering stage.
Adjust plugin gain: When using plugins that alter the volume of your tracks, such as compressors or EQs, make sure to compensate for any gain changes by adjusting the output gain of the plugin.

By carefully managing your gain levels throughout the mixing process, you'll maintain a clean and balanced mix that's primed for professional sound quality.

3. Equalization Techniques

Equalization, or EQ, is a key tool in music mixing best practices for achieving professional sound quality. EQ allows you to adjust the frequency balance of your tracks, helping to create a clear and well-defined mix. Here are some essential equalization techniques:

Use subtractive EQ: When possible, cut problematic frequencies instead of boosting the desirable ones. This approach helps to maintain headroom and avoid over-processing.
High-pass filtering: Apply a high-pass filter to tracks that don't require low-frequency content, such as vocals or guitars. This technique can reduce muddiness and create more space for bass-heavy instruments.
Identify and fix problem frequencies: Use a narrow EQ band to sweep across the frequency spectrum and find any harsh or resonant frequencies. Once identified, reduce these frequencies to create a smoother mix.
EQ in context: Always make EQ decisions while listening to the entire mix, rather than soloing individual tracks. This will help you create a balanced mix that works well as a whole.
Don't overdo it: Subtle EQ adjustments often yield better results than extreme boosts or cuts. Remember, less is often more when it comes to EQ.

By implementing these equalization techniques, you'll be well on your way to achieving professional sound quality in your music mixes.

4. Compression Tips

Compression is another essential tool in music mixing best practices for achieving professional sound quality. It helps to control the dynamic range of your tracks, ensuring a more balanced and polished mix. Here are some practical compression tips for your music mixes:

Understand the parameters: Familiarize yourself with the key compression parameters, such as threshold, ratio, attack, and release. This knowledge will help you make informed decisions when applying compression to your tracks.
Use compression sparingly: Over-compressing can lead to lifeless and flat mixes. Apply compression only when needed, and with the right amount, to maintain the natural dynamics of your music.
Compress in stages: Instead of applying heavy compression on a single track, consider using multiple stages of gentle compression. This approach can yield more transparent results, preserving the musicality of the track.
Parallel compression: This technique involves blending a heavily compressed version of a track with the original, uncompressed version. Parallel compression can add punch and energy to a mix without squashing the dynamic range.
Sidechain compression: Sidechain compression is a technique where one track's compressor is triggered by another track's audio signal. This can be useful for creating space in a mix—like making the bass line "duck" under the kick drum to create a tight, groovy low end.

By utilizing these compression tips in your music mixing process, you'll be one step closer to achieving that professional sound quality you're aiming for.

5. Using Reverb and Delay

Reverb and delay are essential effects that can add depth, space, and dimension to your mixes. When used effectively, they can contribute significantly to achieving professional sound quality. Here are some music mixing best practices for using reverb and delay:

Choose the right reverb: Different types of reverb, such as room, hall, and plate, can produce distinct sonic characteristics. Experiment with various reverb types to find the one that best suits your mix.
Use EQ on reverb and delay: Apply equalization to your reverb and delay effects to prevent them from clashing with other elements in your mix. For example, cutting low frequencies from a reverb can help maintain clarity in the bass range.
Use pre-delay: Pre-delay is the time difference between the original sound and the onset of the reverb or delay effect. Adjusting the pre-delay can help to separate the effect from the original sound, making the mix clearer and more defined.
Balance wet and dry signals: Find the right balance between the wet (effected) and dry (original) signals. Too much wet signal can make your mix sound washed out, while too little can leave it feeling flat and lifeless.
Use reverb and delay creatively: Don't be afraid to experiment with unconventional reverb and delay settings. Unique effects can add character and interest to your mix, helping it stand out from the crowd.

By carefully applying reverb and delay in your music mixing process, you'll create a more immersive and engaging listening experience, ultimately achieving professional sound quality.

6. Panning for Depth

Panning is a powerful mixing tool that can help you achieve a sense of depth and space in your mix. By strategically positioning different elements of your mix within the stereo field, you can create a more engaging and professional-sounding listening experience. Here are some music mixing best practices for panning:

Start with a solid foundation: Generally, it's a good idea to keep bass, kick, snare, and lead vocals centered in the mix. This creates a strong focal point and ensures that your mix translates well across different playback systems.
Use the LCR panning method: LCR stands for Left, Center, and Right. By panning elements either hard left, center, or hard right, you can create a wider and more defined stereo image.
Consider frequency content: Elements with similar frequency content can compete for space in the mix. Panning them apart can help to create separation and clarity.
Maintain balance: Be mindful of the overall balance between left and right channels. An unbalanced mix can sound lopsided and distract the listener.
Test in mono: Periodically check your mix in mono to ensure that all elements remain audible and well-balanced. This helps to make certain your mix will translate well across various playback systems and environments.

By implementing these music mixing best practices for panning, you can add depth and dimension to your mix, contributing to a more professional sound quality overall.

7. Creating Space with Stereo Widening

Stereo widening is another essential technique to create a spacious and immersive mix. By expanding the stereo image, you can make your mix sound bigger, more polished, and more professional. Here are some music mixing best practices for achieving professional sound quality with stereo widening:

Use stereo imaging plugins: There are many plugins available that can help you widen your stereo image, such as stereo enhancers, mid-side processors, and spatial plugins. Experiment with different tools to find what works best for your mix.
Double-track and pan: For instruments like guitars and backing vocals, you can record two separate performances and pan one hard left and the other hard right. This creates a natural, wide stereo image.
Employ the Haas effect: The Haas effect is a psychoacoustic phenomenon that can be used to create a sense of width. By delaying one channel of a stereo signal by 10-30 milliseconds, you can create the illusion of a wider stereo image without affecting the mono compatibility.
Use mid-side (M/S) processing: M/S processing allows you to separately control the center and side elements of a stereo signal. By boosting the side signal, you can create a wider stereo image without compromising the clarity of the center elements.
Keep low frequencies in check: Low frequencies can quickly become muddy and overwhelming when widened. It's often best to keep bass elements centered and focus on widening higher frequency content.

By incorporating these music mixing best practices for stereo widening, you can create a spacious and immersive mix that stands out and captures the listener's attention.

8. Reference Mixing

Reference mixing is a powerful technique that can help you achieve professional sound quality by comparing your mix to other professionally produced tracks. By using reference tracks, you can identify any issues or areas for improvement in your mix, and make informed decisions about how to address them. Here are some tips for using reference tracks effectively:

Select suitable reference tracks: Choose a few professionally mixed songs that are similar in genre, style, and arrangement to your own. This will allow you to more accurately compare and contrast your mix with the references.
Match the levels: Before you start comparing, make sure to match the overall loudness of your reference tracks to your mix. This will help you focus on the tonal balance and other mix elements, rather than being influenced by the perceived loudness.
Listen on multiple systems: To get a better understanding of how your mix translates across different listening environments, compare your mix and reference tracks on various playback systems, such as studio monitors, headphones, and consumer speakers.
Take notes: As you listen to your reference tracks, jot down any differences you notice, and how your mix could be improved. This will help you keep track of your observations and prioritize changes to your mix.
Don't rely solely on reference tracks: While reference mixing is a valuable tool, it's essential to trust your ears and intuition. Remember that every mix is unique, and your goal is not to create an exact copy of the reference track, but to achieve a professional sound quality that works for your song.

By incorporating reference mixing into your workflow, you can gain valuable insights and improve your music mixing skills, ultimately achieving professional sound quality in your mixes.

9. Automating Fade-Ins, Fade-Outs, and Transitions

Automating fade-ins, fade-outs, and transitions can significantly enhance the overall flow and polish of your mix, resulting in a more professional sound quality. By controlling the volume and effects over time, you can create a more dynamic and engaging listening experience for your audience. Here are some tips to effectively use automation in your mixing process:

Fade-ins and fade-outs: Smoothly introduce or conclude elements in your mix by automating volume changes. For example, gradually fade in a synth pad to create a sense of anticipation, or fade out a guitar part to give the outro of your track a more natural feel.
Dynamic transitions: Enhance the impact of transitions between sections—such as verse to chorus or intro to verse—by automating effects like reverb, delay, or filters. This can create a more engaging and seamless listening experience, keeping your audience hooked.
Automate panning: Create movement and depth in your mix by automating the panning of certain elements. This can help to create a more immersive and interesting soundscape, drawing the listener into the music.
Experiment with automation curves: Most digital audio workstations (DAWs) allow you to adjust the shape of automation curves for greater precision and control. Experiment with different curve shapes to achieve the desired effect and feel in your mix.
Be subtle: While automation can add a lot of depth and interest to your mix, it's important not to overdo it. Use automation sparingly and purposefully, focusing on the most important elements and moments in your track.

By incorporating automation into your mixing process, you can create a more dynamic, engaging, and professional-sounding mix that captures the listener's attention and keeps them coming back for more.

10. Using Premium Plugins for Professional Sound Quality

Investing in premium plugins can greatly improve the quality of your mixes, helping you achieve a professional sound. These high-quality tools often provide better sound processing and more advanced features than their free or built-in counterparts, allowing you to elevate your music mixing to the next level. Here are some points to consider when selecting premium plugins for your mixes:

Choose plugins that suit your needs: With countless plugins available on the market, it's essential to select the ones that best fit your mixing style and the specific needs of your projects. Be sure to research and read reviews to find the ones that will work best for you.
Invest in versatile plugins: Look for plugins that offer a wide range of features and can be used in various situations. This will give you more flexibility in your mixing process and enable you to get more value from your investment.
Learn to use your plugins effectively: High-quality plugins are only as good as your ability to use them. Take the time to learn the ins and outs of each plugin, so you can utilize their full potential in your mixes.
Don't rely solely on plugins: While premium plugins can enhance your mix, it's important to remember that they won't automatically make your mix sound professional. Focus on developing your mixing skills and using your ears to make the right decisions for your project.
Quality over quantity: It's better to have a few high-quality plugins that you know well and use frequently than to have a large collection of plugins that you rarely use. Choose wisely, and invest in the tools that will truly benefit your mixing process.

By selecting and mastering the right premium plugins, you can elevate your mixing capabilities and achieve a professional sound quality that sets your music apart from the rest.

If you're eager to level up your music mixing skills, be sure to explore the workshop 'Mixing Music - Mastering EQ' by Tom Glendinning. This workshop will teach you the ins and outs of EQ and help you achieve a professional sound in your music productions.