What Is the Difference Between Mixing and Mastering?

New to music production? Mixing and mastering are key steps—but what do they mean, and why do we need both? Let’s break it down.

If you’re diving into the world of music production, you’ve probably heard the terms mixing and mastering tossed around like they’re some kind of magic spells. But what do they actually mean? And why do we need both? Let’s break it down.

Mixing: Putting All the Pieces Together

When you create a song, you typically record lots of individual sounds—vocals, guitars, drums, synths, and more. These separate recordings make up what’s called a multitrack. But right out of the gate, all these tracks can sound like a jumble—they’re all fighting for attention, kind of like a noisy crowd talking over each other.

Mixing is the process of blending these tracks into one smooth, coherent song. This involves:

  • Cleaning up unwanted noise and stray sounds

  • Adjusting each track’s tone using EQ to fix muddiness or harshness

  • Adding effects that bring character and depth

  • Positioning sounds in the stereo field (left, right, center) to create a sense of space

  • Balancing volume levels so everything feels just right

Think of mixing as assembling a puzzle where every piece fits perfectly, allowing your song’s emotions and energy to shine through clearly.

Mastering: The Final Touch

Once your mix sounds great, it’s time to move on to mastering—the finishing polish before your song hits the world. Mastering takes the mixed track and makes sure it sounds great on every device, from fancy headphones to car stereos or smartphone speakers.

During mastering, the engineer:

  • Adjusts the overall loudness so your track competes with other commercial releases

  • Fine-tunes the frequency balance to industry standards

  • Adds subtle effects to brighten or smooth the sound if needed

  • Prepares the track for its destination, whether streaming platforms or physical release formats

Remember—mastering won’t fix a bad mix. If the mix is messy, mastering can make problems more obvious, but a solid mix can be taken to the next level with mastering.

Why Both Matter

Both mixing and mastering involve technical skills and artistic judgment. Mixing requires that you shape individual sounds to create a balanced and interesting song, while mastering focuses on making sure the final product translates well everywhere.

Learning to mix and master at a professional level takes years, and even then, it can be a challenge to stay objective with your own music. That’s why many artists choose to work with experienced engineers—they bring fresh ears, deep understanding, and the right tools to make your track sound its best.

If you’re considering this route but not sure how to find the right person, check out my Complete Guide on How to Hire a Mixing Engineer to make sure you find the perfect match for your music.

The Goal: Music That Connects

Really, the purpose of mixing and mastering is simple: to make your music captivating and enjoyable. Great mixes highlight the unique character of your song, and good mastering ensures it stands proudly among other professional releases.

So whether you’re thinking about tackling mixing and mastering yourself or seeking a pro to help out, knowing the difference and the roles each stage plays will help you make the best decision for your music.