Mixing and Mastering Course

Lesson 1 • DAW Setup and Session Configuration

Guides students through interface setup, driver selection, and session templates. Proper configuration prevents technical issues in every subsequent workflow.

Lesson 2 • Monitoring and Listening Environment

Addresses speaker placement, room acoustics, and reference headphones. Accurate monitoring is the foundation of every mixing and mastering decision.

Lesson 3 • Signal Flow and Gain Staging

Explains how audio travels from input to output and why level management matters. Correct gain staging prevents distortion and noise in the mix.

Lesson 1 • Frequency Balance Across the Mix

Applies spectrum analysis to evaluate overall tonal balance against reference tracks. Students learn to make the full mix translate across playback systems.

Lesson 2 • EQ Types and Filter Shapes

Compares parametric, graphic, and dynamic EQ designs along with filter types. Students select the right tool for each corrective or creative task.

Lesson 3 • Creative and Additive EQ

Explores boosting techniques that enhance character, air, and warmth in a source. Additive EQ shapes the tonal identity of each element in the mix.

Lesson 4 • The Frequency Spectrum Explained

Maps the audible spectrum from sub-bass to air frequencies and their perceptual qualities. This context drives every EQ decision made in mixing.

Lesson 1 • Expansion, Gating, and Transient Shaping

Covers downward expansion, noise gates, and transient designers for dynamic control. These tools clean up recordings and add punch to percussive elements.

Lesson 2 • How Compression Works

Explains threshold, ratio, attack, release, and knee parameters in detail. Understanding these controls is prerequisite to all dynamics processing tasks.

Lesson 3 • Compression on Individual Instruments

Applies compression settings tailored to drums, bass, vocals, and guitars. Instrument-specific techniques build the practical skill set for full mix work.

Lesson 4 • Compression Styles and Compressor Types

Compares VCA, FET, optical, and tube compressor behaviours and their sonic signatures. Each type suits specific instruments and creative goals.

Lesson 1 • Panning and Stereo Placement

Establishes rules and creative approaches for positioning elements across the stereo field. Intentional panning prevents clutter and improves mix clarity.

Lesson 2 • Send and Return Routing for Effects

Teaches aux send routing to share reverb and delay across multiple tracks efficiently. Proper routing reduces CPU load and maintains consistent spatial glue.

Lesson 3 • Creating Front-to-Back Depth

Uses volume, EQ, and reverb together to simulate distance and perspective in the mix. Depth perception separates professional mixes from flat-sounding ones.

Lesson 4 • Reverb Types and Parameters

Compares room, hall, plate, and convolution reverbs and their parameter controls. Selecting the right reverb type defines the acoustic environment of the mix.

Lesson 1 • Referencing and Critical Listening

Uses commercial reference tracks and A/B comparison to evaluate mix decisions objectively. Regular referencing prevents ear fatigue from skewing judgment.

Lesson 2 • Exporting Stems and Mix Deliverables

Covers stem export settings, file naming, and format requirements for different delivery contexts. Correct export practices protect the mix for mastering and distribution.

Lesson 3 • Building the Mix in Stages

Introduces a staged approach: drums, bass, harmony, melody, and vocals in sequence. Staged building prevents frequency conflicts and maintains mix perspective.

Lesson 4 • Automation for Dynamic Mixes

Applies volume, pan, and plugin parameter automation to add life and movement. Automation transforms a static balance into an expressive, evolving mix.

Lesson 1 • Loudness Standards and Targets

Explains integrated loudness, true peak, and platform-specific loudness normalisation targets. Meeting these standards ensures consistent playback across all streaming services.

Lesson 2 • What Mastering Is and Is Not

Defines mastering's scope: tonal balance, loudness, sequencing, and format preparation. Clarifying mastering's limits prevents unrealistic expectations and poor decisions.

Lesson 3 • Mastering Session Setup

Configures the mastering DAW with correct routing, metering, and reference monitoring. A properly configured session ensures accurate decisions throughout mastering.

Lesson 1 • Mastering Compression Techniques

Uses gentle bus compression to add cohesion, glue, and controlled dynamics to the master. Mastering compression differs from mixing compression in subtlety and intent.

Lesson 2 • Mastering EQ Approaches

Applies broad, gentle EQ moves to correct tonal balance across the full mix. Mastering EQ requires subtlety because every adjustment affects all elements simultaneously.

Lesson 3 • Stereo Enhancement in Mastering

Applies mid-side processing and stereo widening to improve spatial balance without phase issues. Stereo enhancement must remain mono-compatible for all playback systems.

Lesson 4 • Multiband and Dynamic Processing in Mastering

Uses multiband compression and dynamic EQ to address frequency-specific dynamic problems. These tools solve issues that broadband processing cannot handle without side effects.

Lesson 1 • Distribution and Platform Submission

Guides students through submitting masters to digital distributors and physical replication services. Understanding platform requirements prevents rejections and ensures correct playback.

Lesson 2 • Quality Control and Final Review

Performs a systematic QC pass covering dropouts, clicks, clipping, and metadata accuracy. QC is the final safeguard before a master reaches the public.

Lesson 3 • Format Preparation and Export

Exports masters in the correct formats for streaming, CD, vinyl, and broadcast delivery. Each format has unique loudness, resolution, and file specification requirements.

Lesson 4 • Metadata and Embedded Information

Embeds ISRC codes, artist data, and track titles into master files for distribution. Correct metadata ensures proper royalty tracking and catalogue identification.