Mixing & Mastering

Turn rough takes into release-ready tracks. Practical mixing and mastering guides covering EQ, compression, levels, loudness and the workflow that gets your songs sounding finished.Start here: The Best Free VST Plugins · The Best EQ Plugins · The Best Compressor Plugins · The Best Reverb Plugins.

  • How to Make Jazz Music

    How to Make Jazz Music

    Learn how to make jazz: swing feel, extended chords, walking bass, improvisation and natural recording. A practical home-studio guide to…

  • How to Make R&B Music

    How to Make R&B Music

    Learn how to make rnb music: smooth chords, laid-back grooves, layered vocals and lush production. A practical home-studio guide to…

  • How to Make Metal Music

    How to Make Metal Music

    Learn how to make metal music: tuning, palm-muted riffs, double-kick drums, tight bass and aggressive vocals, plus mixing tips for…

  • How to Make Rock Music

    How to Make Rock Music

    Learn how to make rock music from tempo and drums to guitars, bass and vocals. A practical home-studio guide to…

  • How to Actually Finish a Song

    How to Actually Finish a Song

    Learn how to finish a song instead of stockpiling unfinished ideas: set limits, arrange from a loop, commit to decisions,…

  • Music Production Tips for Beginners

    Music Production Tips for Beginners

    Practical music production tips for beginners: finish more songs, limit your gear, learn one DAW and use reference tracks to…

  • How to Make Chords for a Song

    How to Make Chords for a Song

    Learn how to make chords for a song: pick a key, build chords from a scale, use common progressions, add…

  • How to Make a Melody

    How to Make a Melody

    Learn how to make a melody that sticks: pick a scale, use rhythm and motifs, sing or hum ideas, and…

  • How to Mix in Mono (And Why)

    How to Mix in Mono (And Why)

    How to mix in mono and why it matters: build balance and punch by checking levels, EQ and phase in…

  • What Is a Reference Track in Mixing?

    What Is a Reference Track in Mixing?

    What is a reference track in mixing? A clear beginner guide to choosing, loading and using a reference track to…