Mixing and Mastering

Introduction

Everyone recording his band in small project studios tends to mix and master the songs at once.
Leaving aside the fact that channel plugins, such as compressors, limiters or EQs, produce quite a bit of processor load, we should separate mixing & mastering steps.
For this the difference between mixing and mastering has to be clarified.

Mixing

When mixing, the instruments recorded on separate trackes get a song adapted volume. This includes a conservative used compressor or limiter. Subsequently, we use the EQs to separate instruments in frequency spectrum from each other. This way we can ensure that the frequencies of the instruments don't overlap.
This is often cited transparent sound.

After these basic settings that are crucial for the later sound, we can start with the fine tuning.
We compare our mix with existing CDs and make sure that the instruments (as on the professional recording) are clearly separated from each other and whether chosen volume of the tracks is fairly realistic.
For example, the difference of lead vocal and backing vocals, or cymbals and snare drum.
Even the sound fine-tuning of the various instruments - not the overall mix - is now being made. For example, correcting a nasal vocal or muffled electric guitar.

If our mixing experiment is now better than the live band sound, but not yet as professional as compared with the CDs, we're done with the mixing.

Mastering

Now, our mix is given the final touches. That means that the song is now in the foreground and not the individual instruments. Thanks to mastering we'll get a tight punchy bass, silky shimmering highs and a 'in your face' sound.

For this purpose, we use an EQ, multiband compressor, exciter, reverb, and a loudness maximizer.

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