The Music Chat page contains the 10 most recent articles on music production. For older articles, use the category link at the bottom of this page.
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Parallel Compression on Drums
Parallel compression—also known as the New York technique—lets you glue your rhythm section without killing its feel. Here’s a step-by-step tutorial with audio examples and pro tips.
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Gain Staging in the DAW
Discover how proper gain staging in your DAW keeps your mixes clean, your plug-ins sounding rich, and your workflow effortless. Small level changes—big sonic rewards.
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How to Prepare Multi-Tracks for Mixing
A clean session makes a world of difference when it’s time to mix. Learn how to prep multi-tracks for mixing—cleaning noise, naming files clearly, and exporting with precision—so your next mix (or your mix engineer) starts off right.
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Mix Depth: Reverb vs. Delay
A professional mix sounds like a 3D soundstage, not a flat wall of sound. If you’ve conquered stereo width (the X-axis), it’s time to master Mix Depth and distance (the Z-axis). This guide breaks down the critical differences between using Reverb vs. Delay for creating space, why pre-delay is your most important tool, and how…
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Maximizing Stereo Width
Unlock a massive, three-dimensional soundstage by mastering key techniques like Mid/Side EQ, the Haas Effect, and the critical rules for mono compatibility and low-end panning in your mix.
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Compressor vs Limiter: Mix Dynamics
If you’ve spent any time working on dynamic control, you’ve likely stared at a compressor plugin and wondered, “When do I need to use this versus a limiter?” Getting this wrong can squash the life out of your track or lead to distortion.
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Amateur Traps vs. Pro Solutions
The difference between a mix that translates everywhere and one that falls apart often comes down to a single question: Are you masking a problem or solving it? This deep dive explores the fundamental mindset shift from the amateur’s reliance on quick fixes to the surgical, root-cause approach of a professional. Learn why your developmental…
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How to ‘Get it Right at the Source’
The key to a professional mix is a clean recording. This article reveals common pitfalls to avoid, including tuning, gain staging, and mic placement, to help you ‘get it right at the source.’
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How to Give Feedback to Your Mix Engineer
This music production guide helps you move beyond vague feedback like “the drums need more punch” and provides a checklist for delivering specific, actionable feedback with timestamps, saving time and money while ensuring your artistic vision is reached.
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How to Prep a Session
Learn how to prepare your music production session for a professional mix engineer. This guide offers a simple checklist to help you organize tracks, consolidate audio, and remove plugins to streamline the mixing workflow. A clean, professional session not only saves you money but also ensures a better final mix.