Key Differences Between Mixing and Mastering: Insights from a Veteran Mastering Engineer
Mixing involves blending individual tracks together to create a cohesive sound, adjusting volume levels, panning, and adding effects like reverb or delay. It’s like preparing all the ingredients for a recipe before cooking, ensuring each one complements the others perfectly. Mastering, on the other hand, is the final step where the entire song is polished to achieve consistency and clarity across all tracks. It's like adding the finishing touches to a painting to make it shine. Mixing is about balancing individual elements, while mastering focuses on optimizing the overall sound of the entire song.
