Goal
Evaluate the mix with fresh ears and on multiple systems, gather the corrections (your own, the artist's, the producer's), apply them in an orderly way, and arrive at an approved mix ready for mastering, with all the required versions.
Step-by-Step Procedure
1. Break
Leave the mix for at least a few hours (a day is better). An adapted ear no longer hears mud, harshness, a vocal that is too low, or too much reverb.
2. Review Listening
- Listen to the whole song without stopping, at moderate volume, taking notes with timestamps.
- Repeat on: monitors, headphones, earbuds, small mono speaker, car (see "Monitoring, Listening Level, and Checking on Multiple Systems").
- Correct only what recurs across multiple systems.
3. Checklist
| Area | Question |
|---|---|
| Vocal | Can every word be understood? Does the vocal sit in front like in the references? |
| Low end | Are kick and bass distinguishable? Is the low end even between notes? Does it work on small speakers? |
| Mids | Is there mud in the choruses? Harshness at high volume? |
| Highs | Sibilance, harsh cymbals, enough air? |
| Stereo | Does the mono hold up? Is the mix balanced L/R? |
| Depth | Too much or too little reverb? Is the vocal tail intrusive? |
| Shape | Does the chorus open up? Do the transitions have energy? |
| Technical | Clicks, noises, cut-off tails, demo plugins, forgotten automation, wrong notes? |
4. Handling Corrections
- Gather the artist's notes into a single list with timestamps.
- Apply one correction at a time and save numbered versions (Mix v1, v2, v3...).
- For subjective requests ("vocal louder"), propose the change in small steps (+0.5/+1 dB) and export for comparison.
- Always compare the new version with the previous one at equal loudness.
5. Mix Versions to Prepare
- Main (the primary mix).
- Vocal +1 dB / −1 dB (to choose from in mastering or with the artist, if requested).
- Instrumental (without lead vocal and choirs), TV track (instrumental + choirs), a cappella (vocals with their effects).
- Clean (without explicit content), if needed.
- Stems for mastering or other uses (drums, bass, harmony, lead, vocals, FX), exported with the same mix bus chain or without it, with the choice indicated.
All versions with the same length and the same start point.
6. Export for Mastering
- 24-bit WAV or 32-bit float, project sample rate, no listening limiter on the mix bus, full tail.
- Peak −6/−3 dBFS, loudness in the genre's range.
- Notes for mastering: references, desired loudness, delicate spots, versions delivered.
Target Values of the Approved Mix
| Measurement | Value |
|---|---|
| Peak | −6/−3 dBFS |
| Integrated loudness | −20/−14 LUFS (dense genres up to −12) |
| Crest factor | 10–18 dB depending on the genre |
| Correlation | +0.2/+0.8, above +0.9 below 150 Hz |
| L/R balance | ±0.5 dB |
| Versions | same length and sample-accurate alignment |
| Spectrum | within ±2 dB of the references at equal loudness |
Common Mistakes
- Reviewing right after hours of mixing.
- Applying all the notes at once: you can't tell which correction made the mix worse.
- Comparing versions at different loudness.
- Versions with different lengths or shifted starts: mastering and video sync become a problem.
- Listening limiter left active in the export for mastering.
Starting settings
| Parameter | Value | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Break before review | A few hours, a day is better | Fresh ears. |
| Listening systems | At least three | Reliable corrections. |
| Corrections | One at a time, numbered versions | Traceability. |
| Comparison between versions | At equal loudness | Correct judgment. |
| Export for mastering | 24-bit WAV / 32-bit float, peak −6/−3 dBFS | Headroom for mastering. |
| Versions | Main, instrumental, a cappella, TV, clean, stems | Complete delivery. |
Frequencies to watch
| Range | What to do |
|---|---|
| 60–150 Hz | Low end to check on car and small speakers. |
| 250–500 Hz | Mud in the choruses: check after the break. |
| 2–5 kHz | Harshness at high volume and intelligibility at low volume. |
| 5–10 kHz | Sibilance and cymbals: check on headphones. |
Example chain
| Step | Tool | Settings | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| Break and listening | Multiple systems | Notes with timestamps | List of corrections. |
| Corrections | Mix project | Numbered versions | Order. |
| Comparison | Previous version at equal loudness | A/B | Verification. |
| Versions | Export with bus mute/solo | Same length | Delivery. |
| Export for mastering | FL Studio export window | 24-bit, no limiter | Approved premix. |
How to check the result
- Approved mix peak between −6 and −3 dBFS and integrated loudness in the genre's range.
- All versions exported with the same length (to the sample) and the same start.
- Sum of instrumental + a cappella equal to the main mix (null test with residual below −50 dB, if exported with the same chain).
- Mix spectrum within ±2 dB of the references at equal loudness; correlation +0.2/+0.8.
- Comparison with the initial rough mix: the final mix is better on all listening systems.