Chapter 6: Essential Mixing – Making Everything Work Together

 

How I went from saturated messes to polished tracks—and the exact workflow that changed everything

When I started making music, I was completely clueless about mixing. I’d finish an arrangement, hit export, and wonder why my tracks sounded like they were recorded inside a tin can. My drums were distorted, everything was oversaturated, and the overall sound was just... crumpled.

The wake-up call came when I discovered that streaming platforms have specific audio standards—an average of -14 LUFS with a true peak of -1 dB. I was nowhere close to these targets, and it showed. My music was painful to listen to.

But here’s the thing: once I learned the fundamentals and developed a consistent workflow, everything changed. Today, I want to share the exact process that took me from amateur mixes to genuinely decent-sounding tracks.

The First Rule: Your Ears Need a Break

This might be the most important advice I can give you: don’t rush into mixing the moment you finish your arrangement.

By the time you’ve crafted your melodies and arranged your tracks, your ears are exhausted from prolonged sound exposure. You won’t catch the subtle details that make or break a mix. Give yourself at least a week of rest—trust me, fresh ears are everything.

A Quick Fix for FL Studio Trial Users

If you’re using FL Studio’s free trial (which doesn’t allow reopening saved projects), here’s my workaround:

1.     Export your arrangement to stems—individual tracks in WAV format (Windows users) or your preferred lossless format

2.     Import these stems into a free DAW of your choice

3.     Avoid trying to finish your mix in a single day—patience is key

My Complete Mixing Workflow

After years of trial and error, here’s the step-by-step process that consistently gives me professional-sounding results:

Step 1: Start with Levels

Before touching any effects, get your volume balance right:

·        Lead instruments and vocals: Make sure they stand out clearly without being overshadowed

·        Chords and supporting elements: Set them to complement, not compete

·        Bass and sub-bass: Here’s where many beginners struggle. These elements live in the low-frequency zone—you might not hear them as “loud,” but they occupy massive audio space. Balance them to match your song’s vibe and mood.

Step 2: EQ - Creating Sonic Real Estate

Most producers jump to panning next, but I prefer EQing first. Think of EQ as creating more room for each instrument to breathe.

For leads, chords, and arpeggios:

·        Apply a high-pass (low-cut) filter around 50-60Hz

·        This removes unnecessary low-end and creates space for your drums and bass

·        Only keep the low frequencies if the instrument specifically needs that bass character

For bass and sub-bass:

·        Apply a low-pass (high-cut) filter between 60-100Hz

·        This removes high-frequency clutter and makes room for your lead elements

For drums and percussion:

·        Kick: Apply low-pass, reduce higher frequencies to taste

·        Snare: Focus on the midrange—boost if needed for presence

·        Hi-hats and shakers: High-pass to remove rumble, then use sharp Q cuts to tame harsh peaks

·        Pro tip: Don’t be afraid to experiment with shelving filters and different Q settings

Step 3: Panning - Creating Stereo Space

For instruments sharing similar frequencies, strategic panning creates breathing room. While there’s no universal rule, here’s my approach:

Drums:

·        Kick and snare: dead center

·        Hi-hats: slightly left (adjust volume to taste)

·        Shakers: slightly right if using both hi-hats and shakers

·        Toms: distribute left and right based on your arrangement

Instruments:

·        Main leads, bass, sub-bass: Always center

·        Piano: 70-80 degrees left

·        Supporting guitars: Similar positioning but to the right

·        Main lead guitar: Center (whatever plays your main melody stays center)

Special note: If you’re using orchestral plugins like BBC Symphony Orchestra or Berlin Free Orchestra, they’re already pre-panned according to traditional orchestra seating—no adjustment needed.

A wider mix feels more immersive and pleasant to the ears.

Step 4: Compression - Handle with Care

Compression isn’t always necessary, but it can add punch to specific elements. For beginners, this can be complex territory—watch some tutorials before diving in.

My approach:

·        Use compression sparingly on punchy elements

·        Never overdo it

·        Consider multiband compressors if your DAW has them

Free compression tools worth trying:

·        Xfer OTT

·        TDR Nova

·        Auburn Sounds Lens

Step 5: Reverb and Delay - Adding Depth and Dimension

These effects can make or break your mix. The key word here is restraint.

Reverb applications:

·        Light reverb on vocals creates magic

·        Subtle reverb on chords adds depth

·        Occasional reverb on kick or drums for atmosphere

Delay usage:

·        Apply to supporting arpeggios to fill gaps

·        Use on background melodies for spatial interest

·        Adds environmental feel when the track calls for it

Most DAWs include built-in reverb and delay plugins. For a high-quality free alternative, try Valhalla Supermassive.

Additional Thought: Loudness vs. LUFS and Monitoring for Hidden Noises

Even after mixing, a track might feel loud to the ears but still measure above the desired LUFS target of -14. This discrepancy often happens because of inaudible or very low-frequency noises lurking in the mix, particularly in the sub-bass and bass regions. These sounds can consume a significant amount of headroom and loudness budget without contributing to the musical clarity or impact listeners perceive.

It’s important to keep an eye on these hidden elements because they can artificially inflate loudness measurements and cause the master to clip or sound muddy after normalization on streaming platforms. To counter this, regularly monitor the mid frequencies for any undesirable spikes or resonances that may be masking these issues. Gently taming these problem areas helps maintain a cleaner, more transparent mix that truly meets loudness standards while sounding full and balanced.

Step 6: The Mono Check - Your Reality Test

Here’s something many producers skip: always check your mix in mono.

Stereo can be deceiving. When you collapse to mono, you’ll immediately hear if your mix lacks clarity or if certain elements disappear. I aim for every detail to remain audible in mono.

My LUFS targets:

·        Overall mix: around -17 LUFS

·        Integrated LUFS: peaks at -14 in heavily instrumented sections

·        This approach keeps subtle details audible while meeting streaming standards

Step 7: Reference Track Comparison

Compare your mix with professional tracks in a similar style. This isn’t about copying—it’s about calibrating your ears to industry standards.

Listen for:

·        Overall balance and panning

·        Effect usage and intensity

·        Frequency distribution

·        Dynamic range

Make adjustments based on these comparisons.

Step 8: Time and Patience

This bears repeating: don’t try to mix overnight.

Mixing is a marathon, not a sprint. I typically spend 1-2 weeks minimum on the complete mix and mastering process. Your ears need regular breaks, and good mixes need time to evolve.

The Learning Curve is Real (And That’s Okay)

When I started, I made every mistake in the book—over-EQing, excessive compression, drowning everything in reverb. But each “failed” mix taught me something valuable.

The most important skill you’ll develop isn’t technical—it’s restraint. Learning when to stop, when less is more, and when your mix is actually finished.

Final Thought

Mixing is part science, part art. The more you practice, the better your ear becomes. At first, you’ll overdo things—but over time, you’ll develop the restraint and taste to make everything work together seamlessly.

The next time you finish an arrangement, resist the urge to immediately mix and share it. Take that week off, then come back with fresh ears and this workflow. Your future self (and your listeners) will thank you.

Coming Next: Chapter 7: Finishing and Sharing – From Master to Upload – Ready to take your polished mix to the world? In the next chapter, we’ll cover mastering basics, preparing your tracks for different platforms, and the best strategies for sharing your music online.