🎵 Music Mixing: Best Resources and Tools - MProducer #1
The most comprehensive collection of mixing resources
Hello and welcome to the first issue of Music Producer, the newsletter for independent music producers (that want to emerge and be recognized for their unique sound).
Each issue is a full deep-dive designed to gather and organize all the best tools and resources available on one of the several themes connected to music production.
Some of the themes that I will cover in the coming issues include:
Promotion
Distribution
Launch
Monetization
Production
Training
Mastering
Recording
Legal Issues
N.B.: The limits imposed by email delivery systems and email readers unfortunately do not allow me to include all of the 147 resources I have found. For this reason I have created as a complement to this document, a 100% free downloadable PDF which includes them all.
I hope that you will enjoy and find useful the research work I have organized in this deep-dive for you.
Alessandro Ciuffetti
Guide To the Best
Music Mixing Resources and Tools
1) Blogs
2) Podcasts
3) Books
4) YouTube Channels
5) YouTube Playlists
6) Magazines
7) Websites for Hiring
8) Mixing Contests
9) Events
10) Tracks for Training
11) Mixing Courses
12) Mixing Tricks
13) DAWs
1) Blogs
Selection of blogs on mixing, all free.
Pensado’s Place
100+ weekly episodes on mixing techniques, news and interviews.
5+ years old [2018].
21K+ monthly visitors.Sound On Sound
20K+ articles on mixing techniques, news, interviews, reviews on technology news.
29+ years old [1994].
1.2M+ monthly views.1K+ articles on techniques, interviews.
14+ years old [2009].
200K+ monthly views.Production Expert
5K+ articles on tips & tricks, tutorials, and news from the world of audio production and mixing.
12+ years old [2011].
451K+ monthly views.
To discover 7 more blogs on *mixing* please download the full PDF guide (100% free).
2) Podcasts
Selection of free podcasts on mixing and the world of audio production.
Bobby Owsinski’s Inner Circle
News about the music and audio business + guest interviews.
400+ episodes from 30 minutes up to 1h.
9+ years old [2014].
12K monthly listeners.Tape Op
Interviews with sound engineers, producers and musicians.
80+ ~1h episodes per month.
6+ years old [2017].
153K+ monthly listeners.Sonic Scoop
Interviews with sound engineers and experts in the music industry and business, insights into mixing and production techniques.
200+ ~1h episodes.
4+ years old [2019].69K+ monthly listeners.
Sound On Sound
Focus on recording and mixing, electronic music and music experts.
100+ episodes from ~20 minutes up to 1h.
3+ years old [2020].
To discover 6 more podcasts on *mixing* please download the full PDF guide (100% free).
3) Books
A selection of the best books on mixing.
The Mixing Engineer's Handbook (5th Edition)
From balancing tracks to get interesting results right away, to the method of setting compressors, to managing vocals. Immersive audio and Dolby Atmos.
Bobby Owsinski
[397 pages] [2022]Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio (2nd Edition)
A comprehensive guide to learning how to mix in the home studio, thanks to the techniques of many producers and mixing engineers analyzed in the book. Includes many summaries, exercises and guided listening exercises.
Mike Senior
[444 pages] [2018]Mixing Audio (4th Edition)
Focus on the entire mixing process, from basic concepts to advanced techniques. The linked site contains numerous audio and multi-track examples to experiment with the techniques learned.
Roey Izhaki
[592 pages] [2023]The Bus Compression Framework
Interesting work that analyzes the technique of bus compression in a precise and thorough manner and promises to achieve high quality mixes in a short time while keeping your mind focused on the result without wasting time.
Nathan Nyquist
[117 pages] [2018]
To discover 10 more books on *mixing* please download the full PDF guide (100% free).
4) YouTube Channels
Selection of free channels on recording, mixing and the world of audio production.
Pensado's Place
Interviews with world-renowned professionals and mixing tips.
750+ videos.
12 years old [2011].
281K subscribers.
26M views.Mix With The Masters
Free pills from the paid masterclasses. From time to time, a full Q&A. Well worth it for the amount of mixing talent hosted.
400+ videos.
13 years old [2010].
470K subscribers.
35M views.Sylvia Massy
Experienced record producer/engineer/mixer demonstrates unusual recording and mixing techniques.
300+ videos.
7 years old [2016].
42K+ subscribers.
4.5M+ views.Recording Revolution
Many good mixing tips, recommended for beginners.
700+ videos.
13 years old [2010].
640K subscribers.
59M+ views.
To discover 18 more YouTube channels on *mixing* please download the full PDF guide (100% free).
5) YouTube Playlists
Some free playlists on audio fundamentals, with explanations on recording, mixing and production.
Fundamentals of Sound
Concepts of acoustics and the physics of musical instruments and notes.
A useful insight for anyone wishing to enter the world of recording, mixing, mastering and music production.
8 videos.
2.5K+ views.Fundamentals of Mixing
Mixing fundamentals such as equalization, compression, processing, tools and equipment explained clearly and comprehensively.
20 videos.
270K+ views.
6) Magazines (Digital and Paper)
Trade magazines that also have an online digital version.
Mix
Industry-leading news for professional audio, mixing, recording, live sound and post-production since 1977.
Free Subscription.
Digital since 2006.
Monthly issue.
129K monthly visitors.Sound On Sound
Launched in 1985, it delves into topics on recording and music technology.
It is a magazine I consult regularly, and for me essential for those who mix and produce music.
£71/year
Free of charge for professionals via this form: Free Audio Industry Digital Sub
Digital since 1996.
Monthly issue.
1.2M monthly visitors.Tape Op
Magazine founded in 1996 whose focus is on creative music recording.
The main goal is to talk about art, to learn how to make great recordings with any instrument available.
Free subscription - Back issues for a fee.
Digital since 1996.
Bi-monthly issue.
153K+ monthly visitors.RecordingMag
Launched in 1987, it offers news articles, in-depth columns, reviews, interviews, news, guides and criticism of recordings sent in by readers.
$ 16.95/year.
Digital since 2002.
Monthly output.
51K+ monthly visitors.
7) Websites for Hiring Mixing Engineers
Soundbetter
Specific site that connects and brings together music industry and production professionals. Includes recording studios, audio engineers and professional musicians.11 years old [2012].
617K+ monthly visitors.
AirGigs
A place where producers get together and hire musicians, vocalists and mixing or mastering engineers to complete their productions.11 years old [2012].
126K+ monthly visitors.
Fiverr
Global online marketplace for freelance services. There is a Music & Audio section that includes music production services, audio engineering, sound design, lessons and more.13 years old [2010].
60M+ monthly visitors.
To discover 5 more websites for hiring mixing engineers please download the full PDF guide (100% free).
8) Mixing Contests
Tourna-Mix
Mixing competition website that offers two mixing competitions every month.The interesting thing is that whoever is voted the most by the community on the same site wins and the prizes are cash.
(1 month free, then 15$/month)
3 years old [2020].
12K+ visitors per month.
Lewitt Audio
A company specializing in high-quality microphones, they often offer free mix competitions through which you can win some of their products.ÂFree of charge.
13 years old [2010].
84K+ monthly visitors.
Mix Challenge
Each month the site offers a mixing contest in which you can win a prize offered by the sponsor. Each contest has a different sponsor.Free of charge.
9 years old [2014].
10K+ monthly visitors.
Pure Mix Contests
Mixing contest with detailed instructions and targets. Prizes in quality studio material. Old contests accessible via paid subscription (10 free via free registration).
7 years old [2016].
16K monthly visitors.Nail The Mix Contests
Every month a competition with a chance to win prizes in emblazoned studio material. It is possible to participate by subscription at $1 for the first month, then at $19.99 per month.
Genres range from rock to metal.5+ years old [2018].
140K monthly visitors.
9) Events
A collection of online and live events where you can attend seminars, conventions, masterclasses, livestreams and webinars on audio mixing and music production in general.
NAB Show
(Las Vegas)One of the largest trade exhibitions in the media, entertainment and broadcast technology. Important spaces are also dedicated to the audio business and in particular to mixing.AES Convention (Audio Engineering Society)
One of the leading international conferences in the field of professional audio, held annually in both the United States and Europe. It offers a wide range of workshops, seminars and demonstrations on audio mixing and other related disciplines.NAMM Show
One of the music industry's largest trade shows, held twice a year in the United States. It hosts numerous manufacturers of audio equipment and software, with live demonstrations and workshops on audio mixing.Music Expo
Traveling event held in several cities across the US, offering seminars, workshops and hands-on demonstrations on various aspects of music production, including mixing and mastering.
To discover 10 more events on *mixing* please download the full PDF guide (100% free).
10) Tracks for Training (Multi-Tracks)
A series of online sources where you can find songs with separate tracks to practice mixing.
Cambridge MT Library
100+ totally free multitracks to practice mixing and mastering on.
The largest collection of multi-track songs online.
File format: Wav 44.1kHz / 24-bit or 16-bit.Telefunken
40+ free multitracks, all recorded with Telefunken microphones listed in detail for each song according to their use, which is very useful for educational and informative purposes.
File format: Wav 48 kHz / 24-Bit.Multitracks.com Sessions
80+ tracks from which separate tracks can be obtained.The site was created to create tracks for live use, but offers many original songs that can be used for mixing practice.
With subscription to the site every month a free multitrack.
$35 / song.
File format: Wav 44 kHz / 16-bit.Mix Together - Home Studio Corner
4 free multitracks, one for each season of the free video series called Mix Together.Â
Subscribe for free.
File format: Wav 48 kHz / 24-bit.
To discover 9 more websites with Tracks for Training on *mixing* please download the full PDF guide (100% free).
11) Mixing Courses
Online courses and lessons focused on mixing.
Mix With The Masters
In my opinion one of the best online courses, with masterclasses on mixing, producing and mastering given by the world's most renowned engineers and producers.
$27.90/month.
Available since 2010.
172.3K+ monthly views.Puremix
Videos, tutorials and online courses on mixing, recording, mastering, music and audio production with Pro Tools, Logic, Studio One, Cubase.
$19.90/month.
Available since 2010.
65K+ monthly views.
160+ videos, 150+ tutorials.Pro Mix Academy
In-depth courses on editing, recording mixing and mastering.
From $27 to $250 / course.
Available since 2016.
63K+ monthly views.Pro Studio Live
Focus on recording mixing, mastering and studio equipment.
7 days free/trial then from $55/video.
Available since 2014.
11K+ monthly views.
50+ video courses, blogs, tutorials.
To discover 11 more mixing courses please download the full PDF guide (100% free).
12) Mixing Tricks
Mixing tricks (simple and advanced) found online from various sources.
21 mixing tips that would have saved me years
In-depth tips on some important mixing techniques with the addition of personal tricks acquired over many years of experience.
There are links to other content mentioned in the video.
[Video] [49':14"].
1M+ views.10 Advanced Vocal Mixing Tips
Great tricks for mixing vocals (pitching the voice with eq, creating the 'double' effect, etc.) and on using saturation and the M/S matrix in the mix.
[Video] [08':55"].
11.5K+ views.Sound on Sound - 20 Tips On Mixing
Essential tips for improving your own mixes without making the most common mistakes.
[Article] [7 minutes].7 Advanced Mixing Tips You Need to Know (Jon Sine)
Practical advice on the use of advanced techniques on drums, hats, vocals and the more general concept of mix modeled on the song according to its sections.
[Video] [15':53"].
51K+ views.
To discover 6 more mixing tricks please download the full PDF guide (100% free).
13) DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) for Mixing
Comparison of Digital Audio Editors
Comparison of general and technical information between different digital audio editors and multi-track recording software.
A selection of the most important software for audio recording, editing and mixing:
Avid ProTools
34 years old [1989].
1 month free trial.
3 paid versions available:
- Artist from $ 9.99 / month
- Studio from $ 29.99 / month
- Ultimate from $ 99.00 / monthApple Logic Pro
30 years old [1993].
3 months free trial.
$ 199.99Steinberg Cubase
23 years old [2000].
2 months free trial.
3 paid versions available:
- Pro € 579.
- Artist € 329.
- Elements € 99.99.Presonus Studio One
14 years old [2009].
1 month free trial.3 paid versions available:
- Sphere € 14.95 / month.
- Artist € 300.
- Professional € 400.Reaper
16 years old [2006].
2 months free trial.
$60 discounted license, $225 commercial license.
To discover 13 more DAWs for *mixing* please download the full PDF guide (100% free).
I hope you found this guide helpful for your needs.
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Alessandro Ciuffetti
Audio Mastering Engineer
Alessandrociuffetti.com
Naïve Mastering (Naïve Recording Studio)
alessandro@alessandrociuffetti.com
WhatsApp/Cel: +39 - 3292240048