Music Production MAGIC

In audio, just like in life, power and force aren’t the same thing. In his book Power vs Force, Dr. David Hawkins explained that true power flows naturally, while force is something we push, strain, and fight to maintain. Power is sustainable and life-giving. Force is exhausting and temporary.

When...

Want your mix to sound as good as your favorite songs? Using reference tracks helps you compare tone, loudness, and vocal level. With the right tools and habits, your mixes will translate better everywhere.

What Is Reference Mixing?

Reference mixing means using professionally released tracks ...

If you’ve ever finished a mix, felt amazing about it, and then played it in your car only to think, What happened?—you’re not alone. Getting mixes to sound great everywhere is one of the hardest parts of music production. The good news? It’s a skill you can build with the right approach.

Mixing vs ...

EQ, Plugin Latency, Mono Compatibility — Let’s Fix the Fundamentals

Mixing isn’t magic. It’s technique. If you’re frustrated by EQ decisions, plugin latency, or mono compatibility, you're not alone — and you’re closer to breakthrough than you think. Let’s simplify the core skills that make mixes c...

The ideal speaker volume for mixing music is 80–85 dB SPL (Sound Pressure Level). This range aligns with the human ear’s flattest frequency response according to the Fletcher-Munson curve. For best results, mix mostly at moderate levels, check in mono and stereo, listen quietly for detail, and only ...

You tweak the faders, turn up the master, throw on a limiter, and yet somehow…
your mix still sounds flat, small, or quiet next to everything else.

You’re not alone. Dane’s been there. Ashley too. Garrett? He’s thinking maybe he needs better speakers.

Here’s the truth no one told you:
Your mix doe...

If you're working in a bedroom, garage, or even a custom-built creative man-cave, every home producer has faced the same frustration: your mix sounds great in your studio, but falls flat everywhere else. One track sounds quiet and muddy, another is piercing and distorted. So how do you find that swe...

Mixing and mastering are often mentioned together—but they serve very different roles in the music production process. If you’ve ever wondered why your track doesn’t sound as clean or as loud as the pros, understanding these two stages is essential.

Let’s break down the difference between mixing an...

You’ve probably heard the phrase “mix in mono” tossed around in music production circles. But what does it actually mean? And why would anyone mix a song without using the full stereo field?

Mixing in mono might sound like a step backward—but in reality, it’s a powerful technique for building clari...

Big Question: Why do hip-hop producers overthink their mixes, and how can they stop?

Big Answer: Overthinking leads to hesitation, endless tweaks, and lost creativity. Instead of chasing perfection, focus on the essentials—balance, clarity, and impact. With a structured approach, you can mix faster...

Mixing is the glue that holds a song together, turning individual tracks into a cohesive masterpiece. Whether you're working in a home studio or a professional setup, mastering mixing techniques is essential to bring your music to life. Here are 9 fundamental techniques every producer should know in...

As technology continues to advance, the capabilities of speaker and room simulation plugins have become increasingly sophisticated, offering home studio producers a powerful tool for achieving professional-grade mixes. In this article, we will explore the benefits of using these cutting-edge plugins...

Learning how to mix songs can be a challenging and rewarding process for musicians and music producers. In this article, I will highlight 10 common mistakes that I made when I was when learning how to mix songs. By addressing these errors head-on, you can avoid wasting time and energy on practices t...

Today's article is written for intermediate music producers who have some experience mixing multitrack songs and have run into a common problem that we all face: a lack of headroom. We're stepping into the world of Ableton Live and exploring a powerful mixing technique I call the Magic Headroom T...

A/B referencing your mix to your favourite songs and professional mixes is a key mixing technique that every audio engineer should master. By comparing your mix to professionally mixed tracks, you can make sure that your mix meets industry standards and sounds competitive across different playback s...

Reverb, the ingenious audio effect that adds depth and ambiance to our music productions, is a coveted tool in every producer's arsenal. Navigating the multitude of reverb settings available in digital audio workstations (DAWs) or virtual studio technology (VST) plugins can be overwhelming and so in...