RESOURCES
Guides to help you get more from your music — whether you're preparing files for mixing, working with a producer for the first time, or just curious about how the modern music industry actually works.
Demo-itis: Why You're Stuck on the Old Mix
Demo-itis is the phenomenon where you can't shake the feeling that an earlier mix or demo sounded "right" - even when the new version is objectively better. Here's why your ears are tricking you, and how to listen past it.
How to Use Reference Tracks Properly
A reference track is one of the most powerful tools in a mix or mastering session - but only if you use it the right way. Here's how to choose one and what to actually listen for.
5 Things That Kill a Home Recording
Most bad home recordings come down to the same handful of mistakes. Here's what they are - and how to fix each one.
Wet vs Dry Stems: What Should You Send?
The wet vs dry debate is one of the most common questions before a mix session. Here's what the terms actually mean and what most engineers prefer to receive.
LUFS, Loudness and the Streaming Era
Streaming normalisation changed the rules around mastering loudness - but the answer isn't to master everything quiet. Genre, context, and the music itself determine the right level.
Why Your Music Sounds Different on Every Speaker
Every playback system has a different frequency response. Here's why your mix translates differently across headphones, car speakers, and earbuds - and what mix engineers do about it.
Why Analog Hardware Still Matters in a Plugins World
Plugins have closed the gap dramatically. But there are things analog hardware does that software still doesn't fully replicate - and they're not what most people think.
What Does a Music Producer Actually Do?
The title "producer" covers an enormous range of roles. Here's what a music producer actually does - and what they don't do.
The Difference Between Mixing and Mastering
Mixing and mastering are two distinct stages of audio post-production. Here's what each one actually involves - and why both matter for a professional result.
What to Expect from the Podcast Editing Process
Podcast audio editing isn't just trimming silence. Here's what a professional edit actually covers - and how to record in a way that makes the process faster and cheaper.
How to Prepare Your Tracks for Mastering
What you send to a mastering engineer matters as much as the master itself. Get the export right and you give the mastering stage the best possible starting point.
What to Send a Session Musician
Getting the most from a remote session player comes down to how well you set them up. Here's what to prepare before you send the brief.
How to Give Useful Feedback on a Mix
Vague feedback leads to wasted revisions and frustration on both sides. Here's how to describe what you're hearing in a way your mix engineer can actually act on.
How to Set Up Your Home for Recording
You don't need a purpose-built studio to get a clean recording at home. You need to understand how rooms behave - and know how to find the best spot in yours.
Why Remote Music Production is the Standard - Even at the Top
The idea that great records are made with everyone in the same room is largely a myth - and has been for decades. Here's why remote collaboration is how the world's best music actually gets made.
Preparing to Work with a Music Producer
Whether it's your first time working with a producer or you've done it before, knowing how to prepare makes the difference between a frustrating experience and a genuinely great one.
How to Prepare Your Stems for Mixing
Getting your stems right before sending to a mix engineer is one of the most important things you can do for your record. Here's exactly what we need - format, labelling, bus processing, wet vs. dry - and what to avoid.