Production · 6 min read · Free
Mix and Master Basics (and Cleaning Up AI Audio)
The difference between mixing and mastering, a simple level-check routine, and how to spot and reduce common AI-audio artifacts.
Mixing vs. mastering
- Mixing balances the separate parts (vocals, drums, bass) so they work together.
- Mastering is the final polish on the finished mix so it sounds consistent and ready to release.
A simple routine
- Listen on several systems: headphones, a phone speaker and a car if you can.
- Compare your song with a professionally released song in the same style at a similar volume.
- Leave some headroom in your mix and avoid clipping (the meter hitting the top).
- Take breaks. Your ears get tired, and fresh ears catch problems.
Common AI-audio artifacts
- Shimmer or "watery" high end: a fizzy, warbling sound on cymbals or vocals.
- Smeared vocals: words that blur together or change tone in the middle of a note.
- Muddy low end: bass and kick that blend into a boomy mush.
- Sudden changes: a section that shifts in tone or volume for no reason.
Ways to reduce them
- Generate stems if your tool offers them, so you can fix one part without touching the rest.
- Gently cut harsh high frequencies on the parts that shimmer.
- Replace weak sections with a better take instead of over-processing.
- Re-record or re-generate a line if it can't be fixed cleanly.
If you're unsure, ask a mixing engineer for feedback before you release.
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