Is Mixing and Mastering in the Same Session a Good Idea?

[@no-yj2cf]

You read my mind once again! When I watched the mastering video where you did the parallel compression, it made me wonder how I could do it inside of my mixing session. I eventually found a way to do it, but I was initially going to ask. Great video!

[@SeanDivine]

ayyyy 😊🙏

[@papa_da_engineer]

I always look foward to your videos! Always so helpful, thankx Sean 🎬🔥✊✌🎶"all the way from the start" 🔊

[@vancenichols9490]

Yes, I mix and master in the same session- always. This is good stuff for budding producers to establish a workflow that can serve as a foundation for success. Thanks so much for sharing!

[@SeanDivine]

Sure thing! Appreciate the kind words 🙏

[@Jala.4rl]

Great Engineering tips as Always!! Your channel has helped me so much since Day1!!! 🙌🏾🙏🏾🙌🏾

[@SKYJORDXN]

Dope videos, I just started doing the same thing with pro tools

[@Zevkai]

Hey Sean, I was wondering if you'd be able to make a video on phase cancellation. More specifically, how to avoid introducing phase issues while still having wide sounds when needed. Just an idea to consider! PS. Thanks for all the great tutorials Sean, they are always very helpful!

[@DeeNelsonDee_nels_on_duty]

Love your stuff man,your teaching skill is everything to me

[@HumanBeingWithFeelings]

this is very good advice. I remember at a much earlier stage I used to make that mistake you mentioned about relying too much on the mastering process. Now I rely a lot on the master bus processing but from what I know that's a much "healthier" practice for the mix. I'd say still the mastering process gives me 10% improvement at least. I suppose the less improvement in the master the better the mix is? Anyway in the end the only thing that matters is the end result when you control the whole process imho.

[@SeanDivine]

True! ✔️

[@dmn2273]

Thanks again Sean!!! ❤️💯

[@Ryanthemusician]

Man your sound is Clean and punchy. Thats the sound that i want.

[@SeanDivine]

thanks Ryan, hopefully the videos on the channel help - it's my exact approach, no filter :)

[@Ryanthemusician]

@@SeanDivine It helps a great deal

[@SincereNokwaree]

Thank you Sean! I was just thinking this week I need to go back to Mastering in a new session (clean start), I find Mastering to be a creative process pas well. However, there are times were I'm trying to push out beats and will settle for a clean mix and slight mastering! But like I said, I think I'm ready to switch it up. Aslo, I think the mix prints are different without mastering (could be just me)... smh

[@el-bov8034]

While I think that committing to a stereo render before Mastering is a good idea from a psychological/workflow perspective, I feel that having access to those tracks to make adjustments that the master can easily bring is a much better workflow benefit. What's the point of truly committing to something only to find out that that clap really sticks out too much? It only makes the commitment worthwhile if you refuse, on principal, to go back and change it. If you do decide to go back, the workflow takes a total nose-dive. As to the resource argument: Why wouldn't you just freeze the tracks? You clear the resources, but still allow yourself to unfreeze the odd track, if necessary. Beats having to reload the old project, make the adjustment, then render out another stereo file, to master.

[@SeanDivine]

good suggestion! freeze is definitely a useful feature in this case as you mentioned! it's just never been a big part of my workflow, more often I am using bounce in place during the mixing process.

[@Patri_Fides]

Hey Sean I was wondering if you could do a video on mixing and mastering with just stock plug ins.

[@freezykid2946]

Keep the good work teacher

[@OfficialStevenCravis]

Great point how system resources is the bottom line to determine if it should even be done at all. Noticed a really crazy thing on Logic Pro X with 16 GB RAM, on an older iMac: That if you have lead time before the starting point, and let it play up to just before the multiple tracks of music kick in, stop it, and File/Save. It makes a multi-track mix down, especially if real time 2-pass, go much more smoothly. Almost like it's telling Mac OS how many resources there really are available. *Sean Divine* can you please discuss in one of your videos about ways to prevent multiple reverbs from causing phase problems, if possible?

[@OfficialStevenCravis]

Also, I've been wondering with Freeze tracks function if there's a way to make those be 32bit floating rather than 24bit, or customize the setting about their bit depth.

[@SeanDivine]

will see what I can do! as for the freeze bit depth, I'm not sure as I typically use bounce in place rather than freeze for my workflow!

[@alessandro_inno]

I think for me that's the only rhing that makes me do the long process. What I do though, is that when i'm finishing a record I open a new session, put all the masters, compare volumes and standarize them if they are not the same. But i check when i'm doing each song that is coming out at the sameish volume than the rest. I tey to leave the lufs at the same level.

[@tylersherman9541]

Great video, Sean! I’ve done this this many a time but, as you’ve warned others, this can be a dangerous cocktail. Mixing ears should be mixing ears and mastering ears should be mastering ears. I agree, there is the ‘go to’ factor of changing fukt levels in the mix, but that should be resolved within the mixing stage on GOOD SPEAKERS; lawts of noo doods hoo think this schitt is elementary. Again, cool vids, bruh!

[@SeanDivine]

🙌 thanks Tyler :)

[@SkyC4600]

Thanks for your videos Sean🙏❤️ What do you think about Tonal Balance Control from izotope? Its a good way for beginners?

[@SeanDivine]

hi Sky, it's definitely useful but it doesn't necessarily identify a "great" mix just because you're working within it's suggestion. Some mixes may not fit the suggestion of Tonal Balance Control and that's okay - it's just meant to be a guide, you still have to use your ears :)

[@shasevere]

Still here

[@alessandro_inno]

I sometimes do this: mix, put ozone, have a rough master, then correct what i think i need on the mic, listening with the plugin on, because it shows you the real finished sound and i like working with that. To modify eqs for example if i want to. That way you can do it live and not have to go back to another session. Then after thay i finish the master. But still, for me it's always a work in progress, because of 3 factors: 1 obssesion. You always find something to improve, so you have to be carefull when to stop. 2. Speakers. Monitors sound different than normal speakers and 3. the master sounds different in the software than in a mp3 or wav. Don't know the reason for that, but i have experimented for years with that and it always changes somewhat the sound. At least that's my point of view

[@Negmdaproducer]

Hey Sean, I was looking to get this snare that you're using here , Where can I find it ? Thanks

[@slgaming6644]

Can we touch back on this subject? I’ve noticed when you master in the recording session vs mastering a wav file you get different meter readings even if you use a lossless file the meter readings are always different why is this?

[@Marchuevoreal]

I start mixing while producing and mastering while mixing

[@vazen33]

Hey Sean, question: I am mixing a project myself and most likely hiring a mastering engineer to finalize the project. I know -3 to -6 db headroom is recommended, but I also know you have spoken of times when you get your loudness in the mix and your master channel sometimes lives in the red. In my project, i have mixed some songs this way and some not as much. What is your recommendation for printing my mixes to send to mastering engineer as far as if it is ok if i have some mixes that are in the red but are not sounding distorted etc...? Also, if i wanted/needed to bring the master level of my mix down to a workable level (if need be/or recommended) is it ok to throw a trim/gain plug in on the master channel and bring the level down that way before sending out or does that effect the mix negatively or untruly, if you know what i mean...? Your answer would be much appreciated help. Thanks for all you share

[@SeanDivine]

Hi Dharma, there are a few factors to consider here - how pleased are you with the overall sound of your mix, how comfortable are you with the mastering engineer and how much headroom do you want to leave them to work with? Generally, I would recommend giving them -6 to -3 dB if it's an engineer you trust. Otherwise, it's not necessarily a problem to send a hot mix. They may request headroom but will likely just tame the extreme peaks and then with a good mix, you're left with less surprises.

[@vazen33]

Great answers and perspective Sean! Helps a lot. Makes a lot of sense. Will keep it all in mind moving forward. Thanks ! If i wanted to turn down some of the hotter mixes, is using a trim/gain plugin a good idea or does it throw off mix in your opinion? Definitely have it in mind to hire you to mix a few of my songs in future man, always good to try new ears and I respect your process! Take care and thanks as always.

[@hii1661]

As a youtube producer I spend most of my time trying to get a good mix and master, sometimes I don’t even upload because I feel my mix isn’t as wide and punchy as other producers. Some KZbin producers have loud ass punchy mixes while some have more quieter mixes yet they still have many subs and thousands of likes. So as a yt producer do I really need to perfect my mix, or do I just make it good enough then upload?

[@SeanDivine]

I would suggest releasing a mix that competes in terms of level and quality. people will will gravitate towards good music and can always turn up the volume but still many will hear your beat as less professional because it's not as loud or doesn't have as good of a mix

[@MozartGil]

Hey Sean, is there any difference of bouncing off or printing a mix to master?

[@SeanDivine]

typically no, although I have had sessions that produce errors while exporting and bouncing offline (delayed automation, pops and clicks, etc.) but printed without issues

[@MozartGil]

And then from printing and mastering, what's the best way to export out of logic?

[@SeanDivine]

More specifically? As in sample rate / bit depth? Headroom?

[@komplex_the_producer2819]

Which plug ins should you avoid while mixing?

[@SeanDivine]

none to necessarily avoid if used correctly... a few that can get you into trouble quickly when not used correctly would be limiters and compressors!

[@evolvedwhatarewebecoming2301]

Do you have/use a mixing board in your sessions?

[@SeanDivine]

It depends on where I'm mixing. I typically use midi faders in my project setup / laptop rig but in bigger sessions...SSL!

[@adrl1797]

moni moni moni moni...

[@UsmanSahar]

I have never ever did separate master ever. Just in case if you wonder how it gonna sound like if you mix and master in same session then you are in the right place. Check out my music. 😄 It may not sound good to you but its natural.