KEEPINTOUCH
MIXING & MASTERING
Have you recorded and produced your tracks at home or in a professional recording studio but don't feel the quality of the mixes stand up against other tracks on Spotify or Apple Music? I have the industry standard tools and experience to polish your tracks ready for release, at an affordable price.
This can be a collaborative process where we work together to identify exactly what you might like about the rough mixes, and what aspects you think might need some work. After sending you an initial draft of the finished mix I'll continue to work with you on any revisions until you are completely satisfied.
HOW CAN I HELP?
There are many things that I can do to improve a mix and make it ready for release, and often it varies between musical genres, but here are some examples of what I can offer as a mixing engineer.
VOCAL TUNING - Vocal tuning doesn't necessarily mean applying the famous "Auto-Tune" effect across the entire vocal performance (unless that's the specific style you're aiming for). Instead, I use tools like Melodyne and Cubase VariAudio to manually fine-tune vocals, ensuring they are perfectly in pitch while maintaining their natural, human quality. The extent of tuning depends on the vocalist and performance—sometimes it's just a few words or phrases that need adjustment. Whether you prefer a subtle touch or a more dramatic effect, I can tailor the process to suit your artistic vision.
TIMING CORRECTION - Timing plays a crucial role in crafting a professional-sounding mix. However, achieving this doesn’t mean forcing every element perfectly into time at the expense of the natural "human" feel of your track. Just as with vocal tuning, the approach depends heavily on the nuances of the individual performances. Using tools like Cubase FlexTime, I can identify and address timing discrepancies across individual tracks with precision. This process allows me to tighten the rhythm while preserving the expressive qualities that make the performance unique. The results can often be transformative, enhancing the groove and cohesion of your mix without sacrificing its character.
ADDITIONAL PRODUCTION - This is, of course, entirely optional, but if you feel your track could benefit from additional elements to enhance its overall impact, I can help bring your vision to life. With my musical expertise and access to a vast library of professional-grade sound resources, I can seamlessly incorporate any additional elements you desire. Whether it's enriching the harmonic depth, adding rhythmic layers, or introducing unique textures, I have the tools and skills to complement your track and elevate it to the next level. See Music Production for more details.
THE MIX - I have been using Cubase Pro as my primary digital audio workstation for over 20 years, giving me extensive experience in crafting professional-quality mixes. In addition, I have access to the latest industry-leading VST plugins, including Waves, Soundtoys, FabFilter, Native Instruments, and many more, ensuring I can achieve the perfect sound for your project. Once I receive your audio stems (individual WAV files), I begin by performing a general cleanup of all tracks to remove any unwanted noise. From there, I balance the levels and apply EQ and compression where necessary to bring out the best in each element. To add depth and atmosphere, I incorporate spatial effects like reverb and delay as appropriate. After completing the initial mix, I will deliver the first draft via a private SoundCloud link for your review. I am happy to make any adjustments you request to ensure the mix meets your expectations. Once you're completely satisfied, I will provide the final mixes as high-resolution WAV files.
MASTERING - To ensure your mixes are polished and ready for release, I apply a carefully designed mastering chain of effects to all final mixes. This process enhances clarity, cohesion, and overall loudness while maintaining the integrity of your track's dynamics and character. I can deliver the final versions at your specified loudness level (LUFS) to align with streaming platform standards or other requirements.
If you prefer to have your final mixes mastered by a separate mastering engineer, I can easily remove the mastering effects from the mix. Additionally, I am more than happy to collaborate with your chosen mastering engineer, providing them with the mixes in the format and specifications they recommend to ensure the best possible outcome for your project.
