Mixing and Mastering: What's the Difference?

Mixing and mastering are two different stages of the audio production process.

Mixing is the process of combining multiple tracks of audio, such as vocals, drums, and instruments, into a single track called referred to as the mixdown. The goal of mixing is to create a cohesive and balanced sound by adjusting levels, EQ, panning, and other audio effects on each sound in a song.

Mastering, on the other hand, is the final step in the audio production process. It involves fine-tuning the overall sound of the mixed down audio to prepare it for distribution. This may include adjusting the loudness, EQ, and dynamics of the audio, as well as adding any final touches. mastering is traditionally done as a separate process AFTER mixing.