Mixing and Mastering : What are the 2 Critical Differences and Which Do You Need to Elevate Your Content?

The music and sound production field requires a dedicated and patient approach. Creating a high-quality & suitable composition of music is challenging as it requires both mixing and mastering. It takes ample time to deliver a well-polished work of content. The process of mixing involves delicately adjusting the volume levels of different elements, such as vocals, instruments, and effects, to ensure they blend seamlessly. It is similar to an artist skillfully combining various colors on a canvas to create a breathtaking painting. Mastering ensures that the final mix is consistent across playback systems, considering the overall tone and dynamics of the song.

Cooking is not different than mixing a track. You should not rely on spices for your food to taste good, and you should not rely on fx/effects for your mix to sound good.”― De philosopher DJ Kyos

Achieving a concept-driven, polished, and commercial-ready sound for a song is crucial in music production. This is when mixing and mastering come into the picture. Together, mixing and mastering processes enhance the theme and present its best experience for listeners. Today, producing music is about more than just putting in the hours. It also requires a deep understanding of music composition, theory, sound production, recording, mixing and mastering. Each stage has a surprise element and is critical in shaping the sound, ensuring the final product is of the highest quality. We’ll also take a look at the key differences between mixing and mastering.

Did you know the difference between Mixing and Mastering?

Mixing – This process involves many individual instrument tracks and is tedious. If your brand track has several musical instruments, it is crucial to balance every instrument properly. This is where mixing comes into the picture. Some have to be in the background/foreground, depending on the emotions of the track.

Mixing has several techniques to complete the process. It includes adjusting the volume level, adding effects, EQ (equalization) and panning, and editing. The sound engineer works on every aspect of the music to balance and blend the song. In conclusion, mixing is an art form in itself, where the audio engineer’s expertise, creativity, and attention to detail come together to elevate individual tracks and craft a masterpiece.

Mastering – Mastering is the final step in the audio production process. It is an art that enhances the overall quality of a song to make it sound great on any platform or device. While mixing focuses on the individual tracks and their harmonious blend, mastering takes a broader perspective, fine-tuning the overall sound of the entire collection of songs.

A mastering engineer pays attention to every small beat of the music to ensure the final product is the most improved version of the song. The process involves:
•Listening to every minute detail of the music piece.
•Making forensic fixes.
•Ensuring proper flow.
•Conducting quality control of the final product.

The result is a highly polished version of the song that ensures a great listening experience for every listener. Together, mixing and mastering bring out the true potential of the music, making it a work of art for all to experience and appreciate.

Does your brand need a makeover? Have you ever considered introducing a new product or offering something unique, like advertising it on social media with an exciting soundtrack, similar to a TV commercial? It’s no secret that a catchy jingle or sound can help make your brand or product more memorable to potential customers. By working with a professional sound production team, you can create a custom soundtrack that embodies the true spirit of your brand and makes it stand out from the competition. With the right sound, you can make a long-lasting impression on your audience and increase the chance of converting them into possible clients.

Reach out to us to avail the best of music and sound production services. Contact Antriksh to mix and master your way to musical supremacy!

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Special : Music Production 101 for a Growing Digital Agency

With music production, your digital agency will be singing a happy tune!

Music production expertise will position your digital agency as a niche specialist.  And thus, you can stand out in the market for unique offerings. Also, it will attract clients who are specifically seeking music-related services.  

But before getting started with music production, be clear about your goal. Start with just one goal. It could be to rock the digital landscape with music videos or promotions. Or it could be to offer top-notch services such as jingles, dubbing, or sound design. 

Whatever you’ve decided, your digital agency just needs to follow an action plan given below for a smooth journey into music production: 

Tune into the skills for music production

To learn music production, start by mastering an instrument of your choice. Next, invest in honing your team by binge-watching YouTube tutorials or scrolling through blogs. But what really would help is the- Logic Pro User Guide.  It’s beginner-friendly for music production. 

But, if time is a constraint for your team. Structured courses on platforms like Udemy can provide holistic learning. Alternatively, you can look out for music academies that offer physical live lectures. 

Then, to acquire practical experience, you can create 4-5 soundtracks or music videos. Or you can pursue internships or jobs under experienced sound engineers.

Once the team is highly-skilled, your digital agency can function even without owning a recording studio. You can facilitate music production by partnering with local recording studios, engineers, and manufacturers. This allows you to build relationships, gain referrals, and potentially access special rates.

Finally, soundproof your recording rooms and set up your equipment. In case you need assistance with the room design. You can consult with a recording studio designer.

PRO TIP:  Register your business name and obtain a permit to establish yourself as a music production service provider. 

Studio staples for every digital agency 

If you are just starting out, your digital agency doesn’t need to splurge on expensive gear. Gear matters to an extent.  But, it shouldn’t become a limitation for producing decent music. You can study viral tracks by EDM producers from Martin Garrix to Alan Walker.

They started with just a laptop. 

So, assuming you already have the basic systems in your studio, such as a PC,  laptop, or mobile phone as a backup option. Now, it’s time to install premium software for better music production capabilities:

Ableton

Cubase

Studio One

But if you want to experiment with free software, here are your options:

Cakewalk

Waveforms

For mobile devices, you can go for:

-BandLab

-Garage Band

-FL Studio Mobile

Apart from your system and software, you need a basic monitoring device to process or select a sound. When it comes to music use, studio monitors and headphones come in handy.

PRO TIP: Compile a list of the necessary equipment and purchase it from a music studio equipment retailer.

Music Marketing

When it comes to music marketing, platforms like YouTube and streaming services play a key role. Given that, 65% of the music industry’s revenue comes from streaming. It’s vital to have a strong online presence.

To further expand your reach, organize a talent hunt contest. Invite aspiring musicians to participate, and offer them a banner to showcase their talents. You can also offer a revenue-sharing model where the monetization revenue is divided 50-50. 

Initially, offering the platform for free to content creators will help build a creation loop and attract initial investments. As your music gain traction, your agency can start charging new competitors for participation.

Also, integrate an Electronic Press Kit (EPK) on your website. An EPK is a complete showcase of your brand and music production services. It includes your bio, promo photos, music and videos, social links, and contact details. 

Remember, the proportion of “undiscovered” artists is likely much higher. So, making that leap from unknown to established requires proactive music marketing.

PRO TIP: Collaborate for free with mixing engineers, singers, and producers to build connections and gain experience.

With the above tips, you can start your journey with music production. It is more accessible than it’s ever been. Finally, let’s take a look at the summary points to ponder.

  • Master an instrument and invest in team skills. 
  • Gain experience by creating soundtracks or working with sound engineers.
  • Utilize platforms like YouTube and streaming services for music marketing.
  • Register your business and obtain a permit as a music production service provider. 
  • Collaborate with mixing engineers, singers, and producers for connections and exposure.

Want to sound like the artist you’ve always dreamed of? Professional song production can get you there fast. Prefer collaborating online because it saves you time and allows for flexibility.

Get in touch with us by clicking the link here. At Antriksh, we are determined to make a business grow. Our only concern is, will it be yours?