Mixing Vs Mastering

What’s The Difference?

“What’s the difference between mixing and mastering?” 🤷‍♂️

This is one of the most common questions we get asked as sound engineers. If you’re unsure about the different processes please take a look over our comparison chart below. We recommend that you save/bookmark this page 📎 so you can always refer back to it. If you have any more questions be sure to contact us and we will get back to asap.

MIXING

Is the process of arranging and combining multiple layers of audio together to create a final stereo track for mastering.

Mix engineers adjust volume levels and add effects to individual audio tracks in order to achieve a well balanced sound.

The mixing process usually begins after all parts of a song have been recorded and finalised.

Mixing is to be done before mastering.

Mastering

Is the final step of audio processing where the stereo mix is completed and prepared for distribution.

Is an essential process to make sure your song translates well and “sounds good” on all possible devices.

Makes sure that the different songs on an album sound cohesive and balance well with each other.

Starts after the mixing process is completed.