Mixing vs. Mastering (Visual + Audio Explanation)

[@clifftonl-vuitton2770]

nothing could have prepared me for those Christian vocals 💀

[@jasminesofela]

DEADASS WHAT I WAS THINKING

[@moonlight9333]

why was I vibing tho 😂

[@wadball]

LMAO that moment is exactly when i scrolled down to look at the comments

[@mrmars8848]

@@wadball it went from the 1975 to sunday morning at church

[@joafus]

HAHAHAHA SAME LOL

[@NicCorbett]

Your entire vibe is “the nicest guy you will ever meet”

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

ha I don't know if that's a compliment or not but I'll take it as one I guess :P

[@NicCorbett]

@@thesongwritingstudio5783 Oh my goodness yes, yes it is. I’m so sorry it didn’t seem that way, I could’ve written that way better. I’m saying you seem and sound like a very friendly, open and nice person.

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

@@NicCorbett It's all good Nic! ha well I appreciate the compliment and I'm sure you're a friendly person yourself as it "takes one to know one"!

[@NicCorbett]

@@thesongwritingstudio5783 On the outside yeah. Thank you for putting out videos like this, they are very helpful

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

@@NicCorbett no problem!

[@robsco1249]

That's the reason why mixing is more important than mastering...

[@fernandoosorio5707]

Thanks Dean, you are the best.

[@reubenburrows7835]

This is literally the exact video I have needed for a while now! Thanks man 🙌🏻

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

Love hearing that Reuben, glad it was helpful! --Dean

[@alyaleigha]

Oooh, I like the explanation video but I LOVE the sneak peek of your music! Thanks for sharing!

[@dylansmith8660]

Nice and easy to understand. Appreciate the video. Great song too, praise Jesus!

[@N5LA]

This is the best time to me understand mixing and mastering in easy way especially visually. Thank you so much Dean. Can we mastering our song on Garageband or only Logic pro x?

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

Hey there! You can indeed master in GarageBand but you would need some 3rd party tools like a meter plugin or something like Ozone... -Dean

[@DadaBoy88]

How do we add the mixing plug in to GarageBand? I seem to struggle with adding any plug-ins that aren't downloaded through the software

[@TKAYPIRAGASH]

Thank you very much for explaining such a complex process so simple! I am searching for this kind of answer for years! Respect!

[@theeouapolal7262]

Religion aside... You should be commended for publishing this. As a recording artist, it is PARAMOUNT to understand that your goal in mixing is to really hone in on exactly what you want your song to be. Too many hucksters out there are trying to rip people off, having them think, "...yeah, you know how to mix, but you need me to master for you, otherwise you're not gonna have that competitive "professional" sound..." You hit the nail on the head when you described the subtlety of mastering as "micro". If you have finished your mixing, and you feel that what you've got is a mess, don't expect a mastering engineer to perform miracles for you. Your goal is really to mix such that you almost feel you don't need mastering at all!!

[@TreeFarmerMusic22]

This gave me SUCH great clarity, on what next steps to break down into, in order to start mixing and mastering some of my recent tracks, which can then be applied as I expand into more music that I experiment on this stuff with. Thank you so much for this!

[@shammah23in]

Jesus Christ you're beautiful, you're beautiful, you're beautiful... wow I love this.. God bless you brother!!

[@ethanbelle7059]

having to turn your headphones down for the mastered process but still not compromising the quality shows that the masting engineer is a vital part of a great production.

[@rabbitguy337]

My brother in christ this is a fantastic video.

[@steverayshock1296]

Dean, your videos are the best, for real. thank you for sharing all of your knowledge

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

Thanks Steve, that means a lot! So glad the content is helpful! -Dean

[@sxgroups]

For the first time I knew clearly the difference between mixing and mastering. I have been mixing for quite while for my amateur project; but didn’t quite know what is mastering. This clarifies that question. Thank you.

[@ronkontv]

Yes sir!! another brother in christ that song is nice.

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

ha yes sir! And thanks Ronje! -Dean

[@meetdamaka]

ALWAYS LOVE YOUR VIDEOS DEAN VERY EDUCATIONAL THANKS MAN !!!!!

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

Thanks WAPTOPIA! -Dean

[@Babrablack]

This video was everything I needed, I think I finally got it!!! Thank you.

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

Love that Babs, so glad it was helpful! -Dean

[@kingvideo-]

THANK YOU ,,, Sure is refreshing to see ONE musician that is not covered in ink and rings,,, I don't understand why most in the music industry try to look like something from a carnival side show. Thank You for this video sir !

[@HarbertK50]

Simple. Clean. I loved it!

[@DudeRobot]

This video was perfect! Thank you so much for this! I never really knew what the differences were when people talked to me about mixing and mastering. Then after watching this I realized I do all of this myself anyways lol however, now I know what the phases truly mean!

[@nigelcarren]

Dean, I have just come back to this and I am embarrassed that I didn't say BRAVO ref your track before. So, here goes: BRAVO mate, that is one slice of sunshine right there! So radio-friendly it hurts!!!! 🌞🏆

[@SpenieMusic]

Bro thank you, you explained this so good

[@GodsStoryteller]

Thanks so much. I look forward to growing into this.

[@TiddlyBlinx]

It was so nice to hear those Christian lyrics. Can't go wrong with it!

[@teddyboamah]

Gems!!! more visuals like this

[@iFOUNDSIV]

Super helpful thank you!!

[@ColinGreen]

Little advice. Landr is not bad, but if you get the iZotope Ozone plug in, you can get litterly the same Result with the Assistant. But you do not have to pay for each track but just one time. Plus you can use that as a starting point to do your own mastering out of that

[@pandarzzz]

Thank you Dean for this informative video! 😍😻🐶

[@taviabrissett8057]

Great video by the way! Love the clear definition and Explanations

[@nigelcarren]

BRAVO Dean. Another straight to the point gem! Thank you 🏆🇬🇧

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

You are welcome Nigel, so glad it was helpful and I appreciate the kind feedback! -Dean

[@jckarenboy5697]

The music is beautiful!! God bless you!!

[@kenrichard5]

Really good video, thank you!

[@BxrHavik]

I watched a few videos on this topic, but I was left kinda still unsure of what is really the difference. Like he said, they all say Mastering is more like polishing the end product, but it was very hard to really understand without a real world example. This video helped to clarify what exactly Mastering is and why it's important. Thank you for giving an answer with substance. I'm sure I'm not the only person who appreciated this.

[@koollifetv]

thanks over 15 years experienced , i got the truth facts about Mixing and Mastering

[@drummerwhosings]

Hey man, this was really helpful. I am a drummer and I also starting singing very recently! I've always been a bit intimidated with these two terms "mixing" & "mastering", but as much as I am doing it more and more for my videos every week, I think I am getting a bit better. BUT!! Now that I've watched your video, it really gives me a clear picture of what I am supposed to do. Thanks! Informative video. Plus I love the way you included your patreons too. So cool! Subscribing right away!!

[@pweezy5661]

Loved the explanation, loved it even more that the song was about our Lord & savior Jesus Christ !

[@blessedisphenomenal]

This video was well detailed. Thank you so much

[@JamesMyddelton]

This was super helpful, thanks Dean

[@simere]

I love the lyrics 🫡🔥

[@jkharmony]

Thank you so much for your work! I got a lot of good tips from your videos for mixing of my songs on Garageband, and this video also clearly explains the difference between mixing and mastering. Also, I love your song!! Great lyrics too!

[@thegreatiamsentme3154]

When the hook came in 😍😍♥️🙌🏿❤️

[@lukaskelber]

Nice explanation, made my understanding about the difference a bit clearer. I often did a bit of "mastering" on the Stereo Out track according to this. :)

[@marcelobmusic]

Very cool video Dean. Can I do the mastering on my music by increasing the compressor, high, EQ and bright in the automation of garage band?

[@anupkrk]

Exactly what I have been looking for,,thank you so much

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

So glad it was helpful anup! -Dean

[@Blvckgld]

beautiful jesus!!!!!!!!!!

[@spekterum]

Thank You Dean, very clear and crisp explanation. BTW, nice song!

[@tapasprinsen]

Mixing: taking a clear picture. Mastering: adding the filters. 😂👍🏻

[@DIGITAL7Media]

This is why the internet sometimes is jus ta beautiful beautiful thing. Thanks so much for explaining. I was totally into your video and then I heard the lyrics and felt a need to subscribe. I havent come across any logic tutorials with a christian host. Thank you! I didn't even know that what I was doing was mixing.

[@karvelrobinson7672]

I’m just a random fan who doesn’t anything about making music but this sounds like a luxury . I could tell no difference in the songs!

[@dome_je]

This video made me realize that I've forgotten a major step in the past before releasing my songs. A lil embarrassing, but it totally makes sense why they don't sound that bad, but stand out in a Playlist with other songs from other artist... But hey who says you can't re-release and remix your own songs. 😂

[@JeffGavinMusic]

Came for the content. Stayed for the smile. And the content.

[@oceanln4185]

Thanks you are answering the questions I have an it’s straight to the point 🙏

[@neilsachs]

REALLY digging your videos. It's challenging to find paid, much less free, video that have excellent teaching. You've achieved that and thank you so much!

[@deanzenas.]

My name is Dean

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

noice! :P

[@SSOAPride0935]

Thank you brother... God bless you 🙏🏻

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

Glad to help, blessings! -Dean

[@maskedgamer7565]

Great video, never really understood the difference. Amazing voice as well!

[@ashtrae5595]

Wow, this is very helpful! Thanks so much!🤙

[@joselendaya]

Wonderful... Thanks Dean.

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

You're welcome Josel! -Dean

[@adamproductions4529]

Thanks I never considered mastering anything until now.

[@shailsutasingh6418]

So precise and informative..love your videos!!

[@gwsstudios5342]

Very helpful indeed, thanks 😁👍🏻🎶🎵

[@TylerShowers]

So mixing is leveling all the volumes for individual elements of a song and mastering is making that exported song louder without distorting it!

[@rivkaonline1890]

You made a beautiful song!

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

Thanks Tricia! -Dean

[@XNewRoman]

Is that a Samick Greg Bennett FA 2 Telecaster I see behind you?

[@DHawkBeats]

Cool video, I’m always wondering if it’s worth it for me to get my songs mastered bc idk if it’ll make much of a difference

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

I hear you D-Hawk Beats. Mastering typically makes small improvements which may not be worth spending $80 for most so that's why I like to recommend Landr.com (no affiliation) because it offers 2 free mp3 masters a month or really cheap WAV masters if you like and it's super easy. -Dean

[@DHawkBeats]

@@thesongwritingstudio5783 gotcha, I also see people online like on Instagram advertising that they can do it for $20-30, what would you say about them?

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

@@DHawkBeats For me it has been hit or miss when I hire someone for less than about $50. So for me, I either go with Landr or spend the money for someone quality. That said, I'm sure there are guys out doing a quality job for cheap but you may have to spend time/money to find them :) -Dean

[@jacquieo9960]

exactly what i wanted, great explanation thanks!

[@Jon-vc3ki]

this video was really helpful. thanks for putting it up

[@skeletonseason]

you're awesome. thank you so much for making these videos. they are very helpful.

[@jesherald2665]

Thanks for this video brother, Greetings from India.

[@GodfreyMann]

4:18 - I see it the other way around: mixing is ‘micro’ to me as it has micro-control over every working part of the work…the ability to tweak every small detail. Thus mastering to me is ‘macro’ - where ones control over the work is somewhat minor by comparison…thus the tweaking of mastering is far more subtle. If you have a great mixing engineer then the less the mastering engineer needs to do. Does it often happen that the mastering engineer has nothing to do?

[@naynayw]

These videos are sooooo good thankyou!!!!

[@bkingdom4403]

Hey man just wanted to say this is a great explanation - I've found it very helpful starting out in songwriting, very well explained and simple which is the ultimate goal of engineering and teaching. Great job and thank you!:) - Brad Kingdom.

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

So glad it was helpful Brad and thanks for the encouragement! -Dean

[@J9mzZz]

Thanks, Dean.

[@agent671]

Thank you so much for making this video

[@shayla8618]

beautiful message!

[@WillFalcon]

3:30 your version is better than mastered

[@nikhiliyer9371]

Mixing is the gateway to mastering. So a mix engineer can also be a mastering engineering.

[@nbnfizick8575]

Your the 🐐

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

ha dunno about da goat but glad it was helpful Nbnflzick -Dean

[@mrreal1182]

One Love 🙏🏿❤🙏🏻

[@kyleconnermusic]

Wow! This was really helpful. Great song too!!

[@ARohail]

thanks for the Help ♥️

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

So glad it was helpful Arnold!

[@RVRV-mz8yw]

EXCELLENT SONG & INFO!!!

[@kendrumusic5554]

I’ve been told that my songs are quiet because of the bad mixing. Does it need -6dB of headroom for master after putting compression and saturation or before ?

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

Hey Kendru! I typically leave several db's of clean headroom which gives room for the mastering engineer/engine to add volume/dynamics to the mix without it clipping. I do the same and leave loudness for mastering not for mixing. Mixing for me is about volume balance, mastering is about raising the volume (simplified, of course). -Dean

[@brucegaminglee5685]

Great one, make more like these.

[@JonathanCandor]

Thank you so much for this video. You know what you did for us who are learning.

[@TrevorMugisha]

Wow. When you played your song, I was like, here we go again, another so called girl chaser. But when I heard Jesus Chirst, you got me smiling. 😂 God bless you man😊. Subscribed!

[@9thwardnae]

Thanks man you helped out a lot. 🖤

[@Moykel]

Thank you, Dean, for another very helpful video. You're a great tutor in so many ways - nice pace, clear diction and, perhaps best of all, you never 'assume knowledge' on the part of your students and risk losing them in a maze of technical babble as do some other trainers (they shall remain shameless : ) Thank you.

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

ha well thanks Papa Medecin, that means a lot! And so glad to hear the content has been useful and attainable! -Dean

[@roman2374]

I used to write and record in Ableton and Mix and Master in Logic. I would get so confused and slowed down by the transition between DAW. Now I mix in Ableton - and only master the bounce in Logic. (Just out of habit) I enjoy having this change of scenery every now and then.

[@lashunruly5386]

This was great insight

[@peterkoinzell7983]

That song you made was fire

[@kitapvekahve9721]

you have chosen the right music Jesus is the Son of God, I wish you God's blessing 4:00

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

ha thanks Kitap, I love to write songs about Him! -Dean

[@kitapvekahve9721]

@@thesongwritingstudio5783 that's beautiful, I also make music about Jesus I'm Turkish but I live in Germany I read psalms I'm still an amateur but with time I want to learn more and to honor God 🙏

[@jamalrichards7109]

@@thesongwritingstudio5783 this is a great content so do you mix music professionally?

[@JD-lb8nl]

Such Helpful Video!!

[@albertarcosph]

Im really your fan, i need your infos, hihi aspiring writer here, Your song gave me goosebumps ❤️ Specially when i hear Jesus

[@cheery-hex]

excellent explanation. love that you gave audio examples. thank you!

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

So glad it was helpful TheCheeryElement! -Dean

[@edwinsm2009OriginalSongs]

This is a beautiful song👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽. I just have a question, how do you balance the vocals and the guitar on garage band? I'm a beginner using garage band, I hope you can help me out. Thank you.

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

Thanks Edwin! I just sent you a message on a different video! -Dean

[@edwinsm2009OriginalSongs]

@@thesongwritingstudio5783 thank you sooo much🙏🏽

[@jerm3659]

Great explanation, thank you

[@PiLarTheStarlet]

Your song is fire btw!

[@thesongwritingstudio5783]

ha thanks Pilar! :P