Mixing and Mastering Electronic Music | Complete Course

Learn how equalization shapes your mix by balancing elements, adding life, and removing unpleasant sounds. Master eq to ease the rest of the mixing process; next class covers filter types.

Learn the five filter types in EQs—lowcut/highpass, lowshelf, bell, highshelf, and highcut/lowpass—and how Q shapes cuts, with demonstrations in Ableton's EQ8 and FabFilter Pro-Q3.

Compare linear and common eqs, learn how linear phase preserves wave fidelity and prevents clipping, and use lowband linear phase on kick and bass with Pro-Q3.

Apply corrective EQ to remove subsonics under 20 hertz and clean resonances, freeing space for kick and bass; use linear phase cuts and spectrum analysis to balance the low end.

Explore additive eq, boosting harmonics and adding coloration with analog emulations, using a vocal example to emphasize mids and highs and compare to corrective eq.

Explore dynamic EQ, which compresses or expands at targeted frequency points to shape the mix without traditional compression, using FabFilter Pro-Q3 as a dynamic EQ.

Improve mix clarity by using EQ spacing to create space between overlapping tracks, balancing the kick, bass, claps, and guitars through targeted frequency cuts.

Explore how mid/side eq lets you process mono and stereo information separately to improve mono compatibility and balance the piano with the bass by carving lows and widening highs.

Apply complete eq techniques to mix a project from kick to vocal using linear and dynamic eq, mid/side processing, and careful frequency shaping.

Explore analog eq emulators like Waves 550A/550B/560, SPL, and MAAG, and learn to blend them for corrective and creative mixing, using air to enhance vocal presence and guitar tone.

Master compression by reducing macro and micro dynamics, shaping transients, and coloring the sound to achieve articulate, purposeful mixes.

Explore how threshold and ratio control compressor behavior in Ableton Live, using gain reduction, ratios such as 2:1 and 4:1, and a limiter option to shape dynamics.

Compare peak and rms compression: peak mode responds to immediate peaks, while rms bases threshold on average volume, guiding gain reduction, ratio, attack, and release.

Master attack and release to control a compressor's response and bass tone, comparing peak and rms to see threshold behavior and potential distortion as you train your ear.

Explore how knee settings shape compression, comparing soft knee and hard knee, threshold, and ratio, and learn to adjust makeup gain to optimize bass dynamics.

Master parallel compression by blending a heavily compressed signal with a lighter one to add punch and perceived loudness while preserving transient balance.

Explore advanced parallel compression techniques with plugins like I Heart NY, EL REY, and BX OPTO, using spank, dry/wet, and send/return to add punch to drums and vocals.

Explore how sidechain uses a compressor to create space between kick and bass, preventing peak buildup and opening energy in the mix, with practical kick-based examples.

Explore analog emulations and compression circuits to add texture and coloration to audio, comparing ssl, la-2a, 1176, api, and neve models while learning when to use each type.

Explore the main circuit types for compressors - vca, opto, tube, and fet - highlighting when each shapes peaks, balance, or warmth, with practical plugin examples.

Explore fet compressor emulations of the 1176 and substitute options beyond UAD, including Slate Digital, Softube, Waves, and PSP FETpressor. Apply parallel compression on drums and compare tonal differences.

Join this practice class to apply compressor techniques across kick, drums, clap, synth, piano, and vocals, testing attack, release, threshold, and ratio for color and glue in the mix.

Compare vocal compression using LA-2A and 1176, observe how each compressor tightens vocal dynamics, and learn serial compression and how to choose the best option for a track.

Explore channel strips as a powerful mix tool using SSL 4000 E and G emulations from Plugin Alliance, with four-band parametric EQ, compressor with sidechain, expansion, gate, and parallel compression.

Explore dynamic processors and saturation in week 4 of the mixing course, starting with compressors and other tools that shape dynamic tracks, and preview upcoming lessons on these topics.

Shape transients with a transient shaper to control attack and sustain on drums. Adjust three bands with sharp, medium, and smooth curves and use the limiter for safety.

Learn how ducking and sidechain processing open space in electronic mixes using techniques with kickstart, lfo tool, and track spacer; shape curves, attack, and release for musical balance.

Learn how to use a limiter in your mix to clamp extreme peaks the compressor misses. Set the ceiling, adjust fast release, and balance gain to preserve dynamics.

Learn how de-essers tame vocal sibilants by attenuating 4–8 kHz, preserving air while avoiding harshness. Compare Waves and Izotope RX de-esser options and practical settings.

Learn how the expander, opposite of a compressor, accentuates transients and adds selective gain above threshold to increase presence and groove.

Gate opens and closes the signal based on a threshold, using attack, hold, release, and floor controls to suppress noise leaks in vocals, guitars, and other in-room recordings.

Explore multiband compression, using separate compressors for specific frequency bands to shape lows, mids, and sides with mid/side processing, threshold, attack, release, ratio, and knee.

Explore how saturation alters waveforms to create harmonics and add analog warmth, using Ableton’s saturator to color and warm your sound.

Explore types of saturators and their analog emulations, and learn to dial drive, lowcut, and highcut to shape saturation and perceived loudness.

Explore fab filter saturn ii, a six-band saturation and eq plugin with drive, dynamics, crossovers, and a rich set of saturation types for creative and mixing tasks.

Apply dynamic processing across the project from kick to synths using multiband compression, LFO tools, saturators, and gates for subtle warmth and clarity through parallel compression.

Explore mono compatibility, ambience, and modulators to fill your track in 3d depth and laterality. Decide which elements stay in the middle or spread to stereo with delays and reverbs.

Discover mono compatibility by converting stereo to mono, avoiding phase cancellation, and using the left or right channel only approach to preserve bass, kick, snair, and hats for reliable playback.

Explore delay as a versatile audio effect, mastering timing and repetitions from subtle fills to echo, and synchronize delays with your track's tempo.

Explore delay parameters in ableton live 10.1, including time, offset, feedback, and dry/wet, and learn how left-right link, ping pong, and bpm sync shape repeats.

Explore Ableton Live delays, including normal, filter, grain, and echo delays; adjust per-channel delay times, frequencies, feedback, and stereo imaging, with pre/post reverb, ping-pong, mid/side, and modulation options.

Explore how reverb adds ambience and depth to a mix, simulating room reflections and space, and learn essential reverb types to shape your track's character.

Explore core reverb parameters: size, decay, pre delay, early reflections, diffusion, density, stereo, and dry/wet, using Ableton’s reverb in high quality mode.

Explore types of reverb—room, hall, plate, and spring—and learn to use convolution reverb with impulse responses, adjusting decay, size, and dry/wet for drums, vocals, and synths.

Identify the sound plan for your track and assign reverb types to each element, using long reverbs for background and plate or room reverbs to bring forward elements.

Discover how to apply reverb and delay using channel processing or return tracks, preserving the original signal with dry/wet control and creative automation.

Explore modulation effects such as fazer, flanger, and the chorus, and learn how they bend signals to create a stereo field and enrich your track.

Explore how the chorus effect creates stereo width through delayed and modulated copies, while managing mono compatibility, delay times, polarity, feedback, and dry/wet balance.

Learn to pan elements to keep kick and bass in the center for mono compatibility, and use auto pan and PanMan to move stereo signals without losing tone.

Explore stereo creation with plugins while preserving mono compatibility, avoiding phase issues, and using tools such as S1 stereo imager, K-stereo, Izotope Imager, and MicroShift to widen sounds.

Apply plate reverb, subtle delay, and precise pan in this hands-on mixing class, using return channels to shape stereo image while preserving mono compatibility.

Explore headroom, tonal balance, and clipping prevention as you mix a track from scratch, learn gain staging on individual channels, and export for mastering and club sound system testing.

Learn how to establish healthy headroom to prevent digital clipping and keep your mix balanced. Use LEVELS to monitor peak and dynamic range, and avoid mastering on the master.

Balance your track using tonal balance control as a guiding reference across four frequency bands, while trusting your ears to adjust headroom, kick, bass, and drums.

Listen to the new track from start to finish to familiarize yourself with its raw tones and no processing. Balance the kick, bass, snare, vocals, and effects, then start mixing.

Master kick and bass by tightening the kick with careful eq, compression, and kickstart automation, while keeping the sub mono and aligned in f scale to prevent fighting.

learn to mix drums by shaping clap, snare, and kick with linear phase equalization, compression, side chaining, reverb, and stereo width management for mono compatibility.

Learn to mix two synths by cleaning noise with an early EQ, applying dynamic EQ and compression, adding saturation and modulation, and carving space for a cohesive stereo image.

Mix the lead and harmony vocals in mono centered, using light compression, de-esser, and EQ, then add air and atmosphere with reverb and a sidechain to space.

Mix and sculpt with effects by applying reverb and delay, cleaning up crashes, using dynamic eq for tonal control, and pan positioning to prepare for mastering.

Balance the mix by increasing gain on the kick and groups to achieve headroom and avoid clipping, then verify tonal balance and presence in the 1k–2k region before exporting.

Export your finished mix as a 44.1 kHz, 24-bit WAV with no dither and normalization off, preparing your track for mastering and distribution.

Test your mix at a party using Pro L2 and Izotope insight, target -8 to -9 LUFS, and export a 44100 Hz, 16-bit WAV with peak limiting and no dither.

Master your tools, trust your ears, and unleash creativity in electronic music mixing by studying each plugin, customizing every element, and avoiding lazy presets.

Explore practical mastering techniques for electronic music, applicable to other genres, using Logic Pro workflows and external plugins to achieve clear, intuitive results.

Mastering is the final stage of electronic music production, after mixing and arrangement. It prepares the track for distribution and listening, requiring the right mindset as the last, months-long step.

Adopt the mastering mindset: listen deeply to maximize what’s already finished, not fix big problems. Apply small, non-extreme tweaks to smooth the mix and make the track sound professional.

Learn how LUFS measures loudness according to the ear curve, why RMS is insufficient, and how streaming platforms normalize tracks to -14 LUFS to calm the loudness war.

Invest in an acoustically treated mastering studio to hear the tiniest frequencies accurately, listen to the stereo via your monitors, and make precise decisions; prioritize room treatment before upgrading gear.

Compare LUFS and RMS measurements using real-world tracks, showing how LUFS follows the human ear curve while RMS uses a linear spectrum, including momentary, short-term, and integrated readings.

Explore meters and analyzers as essential mastering tools and learn to use them to achieve the best project results by organizing and separating channels.

Open a mastering project, route tracks to a stereo bus and a dedicated limiter bus, then switch between streaming and full master paths to the stereo output.

Analyze LUFS, RMS, true peak, and phase with multiple meters for mixing and mastering electronic music, and compare Logic’s multimeter with TR Meter for stereo correlation and mono compatibility.

Master iZotope Insight II, a complete loudness and spectrum analyzer for mastering. Track LUFS targets, RMS, true peak, stereo field, spectrograms, and history to optimize your mix.

Explore MasterCheck by Nugen Audio to analyze loudness, true peak, and codec behavior, set streaming targets like -14 LUFS, and preview final limiting for distribution.

Discover how additional plugins affect the master and alter your track, shifting from mindset and visual tools like meters and analyzers to hands-on manipulation in the mastering process.

Mastering eqs overview: differentiate clean versus analog-emulated EQs, explore ms mono-stereo workflows, and review top plugins such as Bax EQ, Manley Massive Passive, and FabFilter Pro Q3.

Use filters to prune subs and highs with low cut and high cut for a more controlled master. Employ smooth, musical cuts with FabFilter Pro-Q3 to preserve harmonics.

Master mid/side eq to manage mono and stereo content, clean sub lows, and create space using mono maker and side cuts with Brain Works BX Digital and FabFilter Pro Q3.

learn how dynamic EQ helps mastering by targeting specific frequency bands with FabFilter Pro Q3, attenuating peaks and controlling resonances only when they occur.

Apply multiband compression in mastering with FabFilter Pro MB to sculpt bands from sub to air, using linear phase, oversampling, lookahead, and key controls: threshold, attack, release, ratio, knee, mid-side.

Learn how compressors and expanders differ in multiband compression, adjust threshold, attack, release, and band slope, and balance kick and bass.

Explore mid/side multiband compression to shape mono sub lows, add weight, and create bigger, more spacious tracks by applying targeted compression and expansion on specific bands.

Mastering compression uses subtle, whole-mix processing to glue the track without squashing dynamics. It favors low ratios, slow attack, fast release, low-cut sidechain filtering, and analog emulator compressors.

Explore serial compression with two compressors in series, optical and discrete, using side chain and coloration choices to add richness and glue in mastering.

Use parallel compression in mixing and mastering to bring shy elements forward and add body, making drums, hats, bass, and vocals more present. Adjust threshold and ratio to control pumping.

Explore mid/side compression and mid/side parallel compression by isolating mono and stereo paths with the ms button. Balance gains to enhance stereo punch while maintaining track integrity.

Apply saturation subtly in mastering to add pleasing coloration, using analog compressors like Shadow Hills and Fairchild, tape emulation, and Ozone saturators without overshooting and distorting the mix.

Explore mid/side saturation with bx saturator v2 and exciter by ozone, using crossover controls to saturate mid or side bands and blend the result.

Tame harsh high frequencies with de-essing using dynamic EQ in mastering, focusing on 5,000 Hz and above to reduce sibilance while exploring mono/stereo processing and fast versus slow attack.

Master clipping in the mastering chain to boost loudness while easing the final limiter and preserving transients with soft clip pro. Compare oversampling options to balance dynamics.

Use the limiter as the final stage in mastering to control gain and compress the mix, reducing dynamic range, ensuring a well-balanced track before export.

Apply dither to compensate bit-depth conversion from 24 to 16, preserving perceived dynamic range during export. Use noise shaping (basic, optimized, or weighted) to reduce artifacts in mastering.

Explore the FabFilter Pro-L 2 limiter for mixing and mastering, covering styles like aggressive and dynamic, lookahead and oversampling, true peak, attack and release, loudness targets, and artifact awareness.

Apply serial limiting by using two limiters to share gain reduction, smoothing the final stage with Steath and PRO-L2, while managing true peak, inter-sample peak, and dither.

Explore mastering for streaming and clubs by examining loudness normalization and LUFS targets across platforms like YouTube, Spotify, and Tidal, and learn to set a -1 to -2 dB ceiling.

Apply stereo bus processing to mastering track 01, using dual limiters for full and streaming masters, plus EQ, saturation, and compression to optimize loudness and export.

Mastering track 02 guides a practical electronic music master, using a mixer, limiter, multi-band EQ, mid/side saturation, and reference matching to optimize low end and highs for streaming.

Master track 03 by Illusionize and Dual Channels by balancing kick and bass, widening the stereo image, and using Pro-Q3, dynamic EQ, exciter, clipper, and limiter for peak control.

Mastering track 04 guides mastering Mkjay’s malokera remix, comparing to the reference, and using EQ, saturation, compression, and stereo control for a dynamic dance-floor master.