Highwood Audio School

Theme

Log in

Create account

Blog

Filter:

Gain Staging: The First Habit of Great Mixes

Proper input and bus levels prevent distortion and enable consistent processing. Here is a practical approach you can use today...

Mixing Workflow

Reference Tracks: Calibrate Your Ears

Comparing your mix to a well-balanced reference helps you make faster, better decisions. Let's break down a repeatable workflow...

Mixing Workflow

EQ Before Compression? The Context Matters

Whether to place EQ before or after compression depends on intent: tone-shaping, problem-solving, or dynamic control...

Mixing Mastering

Monitoring Levels: Mix Quieter, Hear More

Consistent monitoring levels reduce ear fatigue and improve translation. There’s a simple calibration you can adopt...

Monitoring Recording

Gain Staging: The First Habit of Great Mixes

Set your tracks around -18 dBFS RMS, keep peaks below -6 dBFS on subgroups, and leave headroom on the master. This avoids clipping and keeps compressors in their sweet spots.

Work from sources outward: inputs → tracks → buses → master. Use meters, not just ears. Consistency across projects is the hidden accelerator.

Practical steps

  • Normalize at the source: calibrate mic pres and instrument inputs to healthy, not hot, levels.
  • Trim plugins first in the chain to stabilize dynamics before coloration tools.
  • Watch true peaks on buses; aim for -9 to -6 dBTP at loudest sections.
  • Keep master bus plugins level-matched; avoid “louder-is-better” bias.

Adopt a repeatable staging checklist per session and your mixes will translate more predictably.

Reference Tracks: Calibrate Your Ears

Pick references matching your genre and arrangement. Level-match before A/B, and focus on low-end balance, vocal presence, and overall dynamics.

Replicate the spectral shape and dynamics first, then personalize. Repeat across different listening environments to avoid bias.

Workflow

  1. Import 2–3 references, route to a separate bus with a gain plugin for level matching.
  2. Use short, frequent A/B checks focusing on one element at a time.
  3. Note consistent gaps and fix them methodically; avoid chasing loudness.

EQ Before Compression? The Context Matters

EQ before compression shapes what the compressor “sees,” impacting detection and resulting dynamics. Cutting mud pre-compression can yield cleaner, more stable gain reduction. Post-compression EQ can restore tone or add character without changing dynamics as much.

Guidelines

  • Problem solving first: subtractive EQ before compression removes resonances that trigger unwanted pumping.
  • Character second: use post-compression EQ to re-balance tone or add color.
  • Parallel paths: try clean compression on one bus and colored EQ on another for blendable control.

There is no absolute rule—decide based on source, role in mix, and musical intent. Commit to comparisons at matched loudness.

Monitoring Levels: Mix Quieter, Hear More

Mixing at consistent, moderate levels reveals balance issues and preserves your ears. Calibrating to a known SPL makes decisions more reliable and repeatable.

Quick calibration

  • Use pink noise at -20 dBFS RMS and adjust monitor level to ~75–79 dB SPL (nearfields, small rooms).
  • Stick to a single knob position for most work, briefly checking lower/higher levels for translation.
  • Keep loud checks short to avoid fatigue bias.

With a stable reference level, you will naturally compress less, balance faster, and achieve mixes that travel well.

Cookie preferences