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# Understanding Audio

Start taking giant steps towards producing better music

## Sitemaps

- [XML Sitemap](https://understandingaudio.com/sitemap.xml): Contains all public & indexable URLs for this website.

## Posts

- [Ryan Tedder Monthly Review... I Took His Hit Songwriting Class!](https://understandingaudio.com/ryan-tedder-monthly-review/) - Have you ever wanted to learn from one of the world's most prolific songwriters and producers? Well, I'm very grateful to say that I had that opportunity for the full month of January. I took Ryan Tedder's Monthly class on how to write and produce hit songs. Keep reading and I'll share what I learned
- [DistroKid Splits: Easy Music Collaborations and Music Royalties](https://understandingaudio.com/distrokid-splits-easy-music-collaborations-and-music-royalties/) - DistroKid Splits (formerly known as Teams) helps you create easy music collaborations and collect all the music royalties for everyone involved in the creation of your music! In case you don't know what DistroKid is, let me explain. They are a music distributor who can help you upload your music to Spotify, Apple Music and
- [How to get your music on Spotify](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-get-your-music-on-spotify/) - If you've been quietly working away and now it's time to tell the world and get your music on Spotify, then this is how to do it. In today's video, I'm going to go over how music distribution works, how we're now in the digital distribution age and of course... how to get your music
- [How to change the tempo in Pro Tools](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-change-the-tempo-in-pro-tools/) - If you've been working away in Pro Tools but you haven't figured out how to change the tempo, then this video is for you! And if Pro Tools isn’t your main DAW, it’s worth getting familiar with the basic functions because you’ll find that you have to use it at some stage… It might seem
- [2 steps to killer kick drum production](https://understandingaudio.com/2-steps-to-killer-kick-drum-production/) - Have you ever wanted your kick drums to sound bigger, fatter, rounder and have more impact? Well, look no further. In today's video, I'm going to show you two simple steps that you can use right now to get KILLER kick drum production in your music! Now, I'd love to know... Did this
- [Here's how to get what you want out of music this year](https://understandingaudio.com/heres-how-to-get-what-you-want-out-of-music-this-year/) - Happy New Year! 2020 is behind us and January provides a well-needed fresh start and fresh resolutions. Did you know that 80% of people give up on those new hopes and dreams by mid-February? The worst part is that it's usually not the first time those resolutions have been made and broken. No, I'm not
- [Sidechain Compression: Plugins and Mixing Method](https://understandingaudio.com/sidechain-compression-plugins-and-mixing-method/) - Sidechain compression seems to be one of the most confusing mixing and production techniques there is. Even if you know how to use it, sometimes it doesn't do exactly what you want or sound how you expected. So, it's time to clear up the confusion around it. Today's video is going to explain why and
- [3 ways to make your music even better](https://understandingaudio.com/3-ways-to-make-your-music-even-better/) - At the start of last week, I asked my email subscribers a simple question... When it comes to your music, what are you "leaving on the table"? I'm so very grateful for the email replies I received because it helps me help you! The chances are if you're struggling with something, there's someone else out
- [Pro Tools physical RAM is running low fix!](https://understandingaudio.com/pro-tools-physical-ram-is-running-low-fix/) - If you're getting error messages from Pro Tools about physical RAM running low and having to get more of it, your computer is crapping out and not doing what it's meant to do, then this video is for you. As a long time Pro Tools user, I'm used to seeing error messages from the time
- [How to get great mixes in your bedroom studio](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-get-great-mixes-in-your-bedroom-studio/) - Do you ever get envious of the shiny studios super producers and mixers work in while you're trying to produce great mixes from your bedroom studio? If your answer is no to that question, what else are you lying about?! Jokes aside... the truth is that much fewer projects than people think are being produced
- [EQ vs Compressor: What should I use?](https://understandingaudio.com/eq-vs-compressor-what-should-i-use/) - Have you ever wondered which tool is going to help you unlock your music and get the consistently great mixes you're looking to produce? Is it your EQ? Is your compressor? Or is it both? And in what order should you use that EQ and compressor? What's going to get you bigger and better results?
- [Mokhov: music producer and digital nomad](https://understandingaudio.com/mokhov-music-producer-and-digital-nomad/) - When it comes to music production, I always admire innovation. It takes a lot of courage and determination to do it differently. Mokhov is one of those innovators. People who travel the world and run a location independent business are often referred to as "digital nomads". Mokhov has had the self awareness to realise what
- [Plugins are the cherry on top](https://understandingaudio.com/plugins-are-the-cherry-on-top/) - I'm seeing a lot of 'My Top 3 (Bass/Guitar/Drums/Mix Buss) Plugins' videos around at the moment. The concept behind those videos is valuable but the execution is sometimes not as valuable. They can create plugin envy and create a desire in you to go out and buy the plugin you see in the video. Ever
- [How to avoid having an "off day" in the studio](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-avoid-having-an-off-day-in-the-studio/) - Being passionate about what you do will only really get you so far. Enthusiasm is great but it’s taking action and steamrolling through obstacles that will get you to where you want to go. Yes – even when you’re having an “off day”! You’re reading this article and working on your projects because you want…
- [5 lessons I learned from Hans Zimmer](https://understandingaudio.com/5-lessons-i-learned-from-hans-zimmer/) - There are patterns that you can spot in the most successful people. They are the little things that make them stand out as exceptional. I had the privilege of seeing Hans Zimmer perform live with some of the world’s best musicians last Thursday at the Wembley Arena in London. We arrived in plenty of time…
- [Home studio production and releasing music in lockdown: Citóg's Nadir](https://understandingaudio.com/home-studio-production-and-releasing-music-in-lockdown-citogs-nadir/) - Today, I want to share an interview I recorded with the super talented Gavin O'Brien, who releases music as Citóg. That might sound like a strange name but it does have a meaning in the Irish language, which Gavin will explain to you. But besides the meaning of his name, he's got a lot more
- [Upload music to Spotify, Apple Music & more! (DistroKid)](https://understandingaudio.com/upload-music-to-spotify-apple-music-more-distrokid/) - In this video, I'm going to show you how to upload your music to Spotify, Apple Music and all the major music stores... even Tik Tok! This process is easy, fast and you'll have your music uploaded, ready to stream and sell in no time. And make sure you stick around until the end of
- [An audio career in 2020 and beyond: the 5 steps you must take](https://understandingaudio.com/an-audio-career-in-2020/) - Are you wondering how you're going to create or develop your audio career in 2020 and beyond? And yes, that includes part time work and audio or music as a hobby. Well in this video, I'm going to give you the inside track on the 5 steps you must take. Those 5 steps will allow
- [A/B mixing with Waves](https://understandingaudio.com/ab-mixing-with-waves/) - Producer/engineer Stephen Kelly talks through A/B Mixing and the importance of testing different variables within the mix.
- [How to test your mixing style and music taste](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-test-your-mixing-style-and-music-taste/) - The first Understanding Audio podcast has arrived! I've wanted to start a podcast for a long time and I'm happy to announce that the first episode is live right now. It's a slightly new format for me but I think you'll love it. I'm a firm believer in using N.E.T time - No Extra Time
- [Timbaland Songs: 10 of the best](https://understandingaudio.com/timbaland-songs-10-of-the-best/) - In this article, I'm going to talk about the insanely prolific production style of the amazing Timbaland. I'll be sharing 10 of the best Timbaland songs and the skills and techniques he uses in those hits. Regardless of what type of music you make, I guarantee you that you will learn something you can can
- [Scott Storch Songs: 10 of the best](https://understandingaudio.com/scott-storch-songs-10-of-the-best/) - One of the quickest paths to success in music is modelling. No, I'm not talking about getting out on the catwalk but if you want to strut your stuff, then fire away! I'm using the term "modelling" in reference to the idea of role models or people who have done what we want to do.
- [5 easy tips for using delay in music](https://understandingaudio.com/5-easy-tips-for-using-delay-in-music/) - Have you ever put together a mix and felt it sounds very "dry" or that there's no real sense of space of feeling to it? Sure, you've added some reverb and delay here and there but it's still not quite cutting it. I know what that's like and I know what can help. Delay is
- [How to make a beat without drum samples](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-make-a-beat-without-drum-samples/) - You don't need drum samples to make a beat. I REPEAT... you don't need drum samples to make a beat! I know you might be envious of other producers with their endless amounts of samples and VSTs but you really don't need any of that to make a great beat. To make a great beat,
- [3 ways to make your music stand out](https://understandingaudio.com/3-ways-to-make-your-music-stand-out/) - We all want our music to stand out from the crowd and for it to be noticed. It's a natural, human response to putting creative work out into the world. But why is it that some music is more appealing to the masses than others? Why does Ed Sheeran's 'Shape of You' have over 2.4
- [6 reverb tricks that always work](https://understandingaudio.com/6-reverb-tricks-that-always-work/) - Reverb is one of the most important tools a mixer/producer can use when it comes to making great music. Yet, it's very often abused and misused. In the wrong hands, reverb can create more damage than good. I've already written about that here and I highly recommend you check it out. With that said, it's a
- [How to rename your tracks FAST!](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-rename-your-tracks-fast/) - The session prep and admin side of music production can be a drag. Not only that, but it can really eat into your creative time. I've made a new video to demonstrate how you can save time when it comes to labelling and renaming your tracks. That way, you can spend much more of your
- [Stephen's Selects #22: February 24th - March 1st](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-22/) - This is week 22 of Stephen's Selects! It's an eclectic mix of closing eyes, psychos and waves of hope! I'm on a big contrast kick at the moment. I feel like my ears are constantly seeking out the light and shade in music. It's always there, whether intentional or not, and it helps to keep
- [Stephen's Selects #21: February 17th - 24th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-21/) - This is week 21 of Stephen's Selects! We've got a Bond theme, famous features, returning giants and some friends of mine! So, here we go... I hope you enjoy this week's playlist. Here's the YouTube version: Here's the Spotify version: (Please note that the tracks listed above are part of a live Spotify
- [Why you should master your work](https://understandingaudio.com/why-you-should-master-your-work/) - I’ve been doing a lot of mastering work over the past few weeks and I’ve been thoroughly enjoying it. I get a real thrill out of being able to put the finishing touches on a project and bring it to a happy conclusion. There’s something about hearing where someone wants to take a project and
- [3 ways to improve your musical productivity](https://understandingaudio.com/3-ways-to-improve-your-musical-productivity/) - I was mastering an album for the best part of the day on Wednesday. Now, I don’t know about you, but if I’m not careful, I can get really lost in what I’m doing and hours will go by without me realising. In this case, I was so involved in what I was doing that
- [Stephen's Selects #20: February 10th - 16th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-20/) - This is week 20 of Stephen's Selects! There's an eclectic mix of tracks for you to enjoy with some stories thrown in! What would life be without a story or two?! I hope you enjoy this week's playlist. Here's the YouTube version: Here's the spotify version: (Please note that the tracks listed above
- [Stephen's Selects #19: February 3rd - 9th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-19/) - This is week 19 of Stephen's Selects! I'm happy to hear that you like having the flexibility of having a YouTube version of the playlist as well. So, I've decided to keep it! This year's Grammy Awards have influenced this list somewhat. There were some great nominees and winners that I wanted to showcase this
- [Stephen's Selects #18: January 27th - February 2nd](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-18/) - This is week 18 of Stephen's Selects! I took all of your feedback on board and there is now a YouTube version of the playlist to go along with the Spotify version. Now you can take your pick which medium you'd like the sounds to escape from and enter your brain! If you're learning
- [Stephen's Selects #17: January 20th - 26th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-17-january-20th-26th/) - It's time for week 17 of my playlist and the breakdown of each track for you. I hope you're getting as much out of this as I am. If you're learning anything at all, make sure to leave a comment down below and let me know! Now, without further ado, here's the breakdown of Stephen's
- [How to use pan law](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-use-pan-law/) - Have you ever adjusted the pan position of elements in your mix in the later stages of the mixing process? What did you notice? More often than not, the balance has changed and what you have adjusted can sound either more prominent or buried in the mix. If, for example, you take a vocal part
- [Stephen's Selects #16: January 13th - 19th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-16/) - I've been having a great time putting together a new playlist each week over the last 16 weeks! Listening to more music and analysing the various production and mixing techniques in each track has really helped me fine tune my ears and my skills. And I hope it's doing the same for you! I've got
- [Stephen's Selects #15: January 6th - 12th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-15/) - It's time for my first playlist of the new decade! I've decided to change up the format in my breakdown and analysis of each track this week. Instead of providing a narrative, I've given you a bulleted list for each track with some recommendations on what I hear and what I think you can take
- [This is the real reason most mixers fail](https://understandingaudio.com/this-is-the-real-reason-most-mixers-fail/) - Most mixing engineers are being held back by an invisible, yet incredibly destructive force. In fact, that force is the reason why most mixers quit before they ever really get any good. It doesn’t matter whether they’re in pursuit of a mixing career or simply aiming to maximise the sound of their own material. It’s
- [If you love making music, then don't make New Year's Resolutions!](https://understandingaudio.com/if-you-love-making-music-then-dont-make-new-years-resolutions/) - Happy New Year! I hope this year is the healthiest, happiest and most successful year yet for you, your family and friends. Now, onto what you came here for... I don’t believe in New Year's Resolutions. I stopped making them a long time ago. You can do whatever you want to do, but I highly
- [Stephen's Selects #14: December 30th - January 5th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-14/) - It's time for my final playlist of 2019! Each time I create a new playlist, I feel it's important for me to analyse each track in detail and give you the information that I think will help you get to the next level on your audio journey. Even if you don't use Spotify, you can
- [4 steps to mixing like Andrew Scheps](https://understandingaudio.com/4-steps-to-mixing-like-andrew-scheps/) - Andrew Scheps is a world class engineer and mixer. He is a 3 time Grammy Award winner and his credit list includes Adele, Jay-Z, Black Sabbath, Beyoncé, Audioslave, U2 and Red Hot Chili Peppers. When I dedicated Stephen’s Selects #12 to the return of John Frusciante to Red Hot Chili Peppers, I mentioned that I
- [Stephen's Selects #12: December 16th - 22nd](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-12/) - To celebrate the return of the legendary John Frusciante to the Red Hot Chili Peppers, this week's 'Stephen's Selects' is dedicated entirely to his greatness! John Frusciante is one of the greatest guitarists of all time and is often underrated. In this week's list, I wanted to include some of the classic Red Hot Chili
- [Stephen's Selects #13: December 23rd - 29th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-13/) - Christmas has finally arrived! I'm in the festive spirit, so this week's list is dedicated entirely to Christmas songs. Number 1's, viral hits and a quirky entry or two. These are the songs that remind me of Christmas the most. It's impossible to really go in deep on what makes a Christmas hit or a
- [Stephen's Selects #11: December 9th - 15th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-11/) - It's getting a lot colder and while the Christmas songs have already started, I'm not quite there yet. But I do have some more tunes to share with you this week. This week's playlist is a nice mix of inspiring songs, sampled classics, new tunes, mixing/production references and some tracks you might not have heard
- [How to get consistent freelance work](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-get-consistent-freelance-work/) - The following is a guest post from Niclas Jeppsson, a London-based professional audio engineer. His site, Your Audio Solutions, is for the home studio owner, freelancer or studio engineer who is struggling to get clients; or is struggling with the business side of running their own business. Over to you, Niclas... Having consistent work
- [Stephen's Selects #10: December 2nd - 8th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-10/) - This week's selects are heavily influenced by my move to London in 2014 and all the new music I discovered from chatting with friends and being exposed to a new city and culture. It's amazing how much you can tie life experiences with the music you're listening to at the time. My "return to 2014"
- [What gear is on your Black Friday shopping list?](https://understandingaudio.com/blackfriday-2019/) - That time of year is upon us once again. Retailers are slashing prices on all sorts of gear and at this stage, your Amazon delivery driver knows your middle name and blood type. I get it. Temptation is everywhere and it's good to indulge every now and then. But when it comes to making music,
- [Stephen's Selects #9: November 25th - December 1st](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-9/) - When it comes to creating music, I cannot stress how important it is to know your influences and your taste. Not only that, but it's even more important to explore and constantly expand your influences and taste. Last week, I was having a conversation with a producer/composer about his music and what I felt influenced
- [Stephen’s Selects #8: November 18th – 24th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-8/) - If you make music that has any sort of crossover in genre, then this week's playlist is for you. They say guitar music is dead but this week's list proves that is not the case. The use of guitar in modern music has simply evolved and adapted to be used in new and exciting ways.
- [Stephen’s Selects #7: November 11th – 17th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-7/) - This week's tracks have a very heavy Swedish influence. In fact, my life recently has had a very heavy Swedish influence. I've been working with some lovely clients from Sweden and now it's time to hear some of their music! As well as that, I'd like you to think about the bass and low end
- [What you should know about snare drum EQ](https://understandingaudio.com/what-you-should-know-about-snare-drum-eq/) - If you're anything like me, you've probably been through a phase of wanting to perfect how your snares sound in the mix. And if you're anything like me, you might have struggled with getting your snares to sound the way you want at some stage. Maybe you still do. For me, it was all about
- [Stephen's Selects #6: November 4th - 10th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-6/) - Another week brings you 10 fresh tunes that I think you'll like. It's incredibly important for us to analyse music and help it influence our own taste and style. Those two aspects of our musicianship develop with time and exposure to influences. Remember that understanding why we like things and use certain techniques will always
- [Stephen's Selects #5: October 28th - November 3rd](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-5/) - Welcome to an extra special birthday edition of 'Stephen's Selects'! The playlist has now been updated for October 28th - November 3rd. But don't worry... if you still want to listen to last week's tracks, you can see what was included here. If you like what you hear, then please hit that 'Follow' button on
- [Stephen's Selects #4: October 21st - 27th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-4/) - We're already hit the fourth week of 'Stephen's Selects'! The playlist has now been updated for October 14th - 20th. But don't worry... if you still want to listen to last week's tracks, you can see what was included here. If you like what you hear, then please hit that 'Follow' button on Spotify and
- [How to create unique snare samples with Xpand!2](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-create-unique-snare-samples-with-xpand2/) - Have you ever been left underwhelmed with the selection of snare samples at your disposal? Do you keep trawling through sample libraries to try and find the exact sample you're thinking of in your head? Well there are other ways to create the type of snare sound you're looking for. In fact, you can design
- [Stephen's Selects #3: October 14th - 20th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-3/) - It's time for the third volume of 'Stephen's Selects'. The playlist has now been updated for October 14th - 20th. But don't worry... if you still want to listen to last week's tracks, you can see what was included here. If you like what you hear, then please hit that 'Follow' button on Spotify and
- [Stephen's Selects #2: October 7th - 13th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-2/) - I hope you enjoyed the first week of 'Stephen's Selects' last week. The playlist has now been updated for October 7th - 13th. But don't worry... if you still want to listen to last week's tracks, you can see what was included here. If you like what you hear, then please hit that 'Follow' button
- [Stephen's Selects #1: September 30th - October 6th](https://understandingaudio.com/stephens-selects-1-september-30th-october-6th/) - Musicology is defined as "the scholarly analysis and research-based study of music". For me, that statement brings about mental images of academics with magnifying glasses poured over ancient texts in an old, stuffy library. It doesn't sound fun and it doesn't represent what I feel musicology really is. Without getting too deep into it, I
- [3 essential stereo bus plugins](https://understandingaudio.com/3-essential-stereo-bus-plugins/) - In most areas of life, there are things that we hold sacred and dear to us. It could be a relationship, a place, a guitar, a car, a piece of clothing... you name it. What is sacred to one person is different to the next. The idea of what we should hold sacred is a
- [How to loudness match a mixing reference set (Part 1 of 2)](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-loudness-match-a-mixing-reference-set-part-1-of-2/) - If you’d like to avoid feeling disappointed when comparing your mixes against the pros, then I’m confident that what I show you in this video will help you get on the right track. Over the course of my next two videos, I’ll show you how to get the most accurate comparison between your reference material…
- [The phase benefits of monitoring in mono](https://understandingaudio.com/the-phase-benefits-of-monitoring-in-mono/) - A lot of musicians and producers stick their heads in the sand when it comes to phase and proper phase management during the mixing stage. That’s because it isn’t sexy and it doesn’t involve using the latest and greatest plugin or piece of gear. Now, while this article is not going to go completely in-depth
- [The truth about learning how to mix](https://understandingaudio.com/the-truth-about-learning-how-to-mix/) - This is part 3 of a 3 part video series on how to develop and Perfect Your Mixing Method. In video 1, you learned the '3 Things Great Mixers Always Do' so that you can start fast tracking your progress and get to perfecting your mixing method a lot quicker. In video 2, I went
- [How to EQ the midrange](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-eq-the-midrange/) - EQ an incredibly powerful tool to help you get great mixes... when it's applied the right way. Just like any of the tools in our mixing arsenal. A lack of understanding of EQ is one of the main reasons why it can take someone up to 2 years to figure out how to mix. They
- [3 things great mixers always do](https://understandingaudio.com/3-things-great-mixers-always-do/) - Did you know that the average time it takes someone to learn how to mix is 2 years?! Mixing can feel like so much of a dark art that most people decide to skip the fundamentals and dive in head first. They study, experiment, watch videos, and go through hundreds of "tips and tricks" but
- [Before you mix another song, read this](https://understandingaudio.com/before-you-mix-another-song-read-this/) - Do you believe there's such a thing as a perfect mix? Are there songs or mixes you love that you describe as perfect? For me, 'Hey Jude' is a perfect song and 'Let's Dance' is a perfect mix. But do you think either Paul McCartney or Bob Clearmountain set out to create a perfect song
- [SansAmp PSA-1: The EQ you don't use](https://understandingaudio.com/sansamp-psa-1-the-eq-you-dont-use/) - SansAmp PSA-1 is a plugin you might use and have a lot of fun with. But if you're anything like me, you've probably always viewed it as some sort of distortion plugin or an amp simulator. And you'd be right! That's what the plugin does and it can be used to create some very interesting
- [How much time do you spend tweaking a mix?](https://understandingaudio.com/how-much-time-do-you-spend-tweaking-a-mix/) - I love getting comments from you. They’re always thought provoking and help me give you the content you ask for and need. They’re truly helpful and I’m very grateful for every comment and email I receive. Keep them coming! A perfect example is this comment that I got on my ‘Don’t be a DAW Dummy’
- [Don't be a DAW dummy](https://understandingaudio.com/dont-be-a-daw-dummy/) - Should I use Pro Tools or Logic? Live or Reaper? How about Studio One? You know what… maybe I’ll use Audition… what do you think? My answer to all those questions is YES! It doesn’t matter what DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) you use as long as you enjoy using it and it compliments your method
- [How to produce music without a keyboard](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-produce-music-without-a-keyboard/) - "I wish I could play the piano. That way it would be so much easier to produce music!" A statement like that is what is called a limiting belief. It's like saying, "When I win the lottery, I'll be happy." Granted it might not be as extreme but it's definitely going to stop you from
- [Why some people are music-making machines](https://understandingaudio.com/why-some-people-are-music-making-machines/) - In ‘A poor mixer blames their tools’, I helped you remove the first stumbling block that many people let affect them when it comes to creating music. Now, it’s time to dig a little deeper and focus on something very simple you can do that most people won’t. Most people will never put a plan
- [There's more audio work out there for you than ever before...](https://understandingaudio.com/theres-more-audio-work-out-there/) - I rarely get to talk about my work these days. I’ve signed so many NDA’s (Non-Disclosure Agreement) that I can’t even remember anymore. Signing those documents for the protection of each project makes complete sense but also prevents from me being able to talk about any of the projects I work on until they’re either
- [A poor mixer blames their tools](https://understandingaudio.com/a-poor-mixer-blames-their-tools/) - “A poor workman always blames his tools” is an age old proverb that’s used time and time again. In essence, it’s meaning is that when one doesn’t get the results they desire, the tools they’ve used will take the blame for that shortcoming. Whereas when one falls short, the reality is that the blame should
- [How to use delay on a snare drum](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-use-delay-on-a-snare-drum/) - Getting a great snare sound every time I mix is something that I've spent years developing and I'm still working on to this day. Being the eternal student is a solid mindset to have when it comes to mixing and it leads you to make unique, creative decisions while constantly expanding your skillset. It also
- [Yes, you have to take risks to be successful in music](https://understandingaudio.com/yes-you-have-to-take-risks-to-be-successful-in-music/) - A career in music or the creative arts comes about as a result of hard work, persistence and dedication to consistent improvement. But the good news is that applies to any career field! Granted, the path to becoming a doctor or lawyer is more clearly defined but the route to “making it" will also involve
- [Why you should mix on headphones](https://understandingaudio.com/why-you-should-mix-on-headphones/) - I started out mixing on headphones like most of us do - out of necessity. In university, I was lucky enough to be able to work in the onsite studio as much as I could. But in the early days, I was much more focused on performance and recording than anything to do with mixing
- [The vocal vibrato mixing trick](https://understandingaudio.com/the-vocal-vibrato-mixing-trick/) - Vocal mixing can be difficult. What can make it even more difficult is when the vocal performance isn't quite what you'd like it to be. Sometimes, there's no going back and you have to work with what you're given. Vibrato is a vocal technique that you'll hear a lot of singers employ to make a
- [Do you need more motivation to make music?](https://understandingaudio.com/do-you-need-more-motivation-to-make-music/) - Can you remember when you first started learning an instrument? I can. I’ve learned a couple to a decent level but learning guitar really sticks out for me. I was so passionate about getting good that I would spend hours practicing. Days slipped away and I consistently got better and better. I was truly motivated
- [How to use parallel distortion on drums](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-use-parallel-distortion-on-drums/) - Parallel distortion is one of the best creative effects you can use to add weight to a mix without killing the balance and gain stage. It can be difficult to give every element in a mix the appropriate space and time to shine. Adding subtle distortion effects can often help them cut through the mix
- [A simple, yet overlooked drum production secret](https://understandingaudio.com/a-simple-yet-overlooked-drum-production-secret/) - Like everybody else, I can get a song stuck in my head every now and then. But I also tend to get obsessed with songs for a number of reasons. Whether it be the the story behind the song, the songwriting process, or some part of the production… I get hooked. One of the songs
- [How to mix a loose recording](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-mix-a-loose-recording/) - I have a confession to make... I'm one of those people who used to try and get the music I was working on sounding absolutely perfect and pristine. Now, looking back and even thinking about that statement is laughable because I feel I've so much left to learn on my musical journey. While there's nothing
- [The two step vocal mixing chain](https://understandingaudio.com/the-two-step-vocal-mixing-chain/) - I get asked about vocal mixing a lot and rightfully so. We all want professional sounding vocals that sit perfectly in the mix and I believe there’s very little stopping you from achieving that goal. Now, the first thing worth pointing out is that whatever source material you’re working with is going to affect the
- [Is modern technology ruining your music?](https://understandingaudio.com/is-modern-technology-ruining-your-music/) - We live in an incredible age where technology does so much for us that we can automate tasks without even having to think about it. Over the past few years, I’ve been working on projects in multiple languages and I’ve never had to worry about a lack of comprehension. While I’ve been very lucky to
- [Why minimalism will help your production skills](https://understandingaudio.com/why-minimalism-will-help-your-production-skills/) - I remember when Kanye West’s ‘Yeezus’ was released. I wasn’t all that sure what had happened. It was very different, confusing and I wasn’t sure if it was me or Kanye that had lost their minds! Myself and another engineer listened to a few of the tracks together in the studio and I remember saying:
- [Why do your mixes sound unbalanced?](https://understandingaudio.com/why-do-your-mixes-sound-unbalanced/) - Mixing is a balancing act. That’s pretty much all it boils down to. If your mix sounds unbalanced, you haven’t done your job as a mixing engineer. It couldn't be more simple and it’s something that I used to get completely wrong. I wanted to know all about EQ, compression, effects and all that fun
- [The effects pro mixers use on virtual instruments](https://understandingaudio.com/the-effects-pro-mixers-use-on-virtual-instruments/) - Gather round one and all... it's Stephen's story time! Today's video focuses on the lessons I've learned over the years on how to use effects on virtual instruments. Not only that, but it goes into detail on where exactly I picked up these ideas, the pro mixers that use them and how you can develop
- [4 steps to a great vocal mix](https://understandingaudio.com/4-steps-to-a-great-vocal-mix/) - Unless you're working exclusively on instrumental music, you're probably going to have to do some vocal mixing at some point and how the vocals are mixed in a track can make or break a mix. There's a million and one ways you can go about mixing vocals. There are lots of small pieces of information
- [How to add realism to programmed drums](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-add-realism-to-programmed-drums/) - Have you been trying to make your programmed drums sound more real? Do you find that no matter what you do, there's just no beating a real-life drummer playing on your tracks? While there's a lot of truth in that, you might not be able to have an actual drummer play on your tracks for
- [How to use unconventional samples in your music](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-use-unconventional-samples-in-your-music/) - With the current technology at our disposal, sampling has never been easier. It's mind boggling to think about the multitude of digital and analog samplers out there - as well as the endless number of sample libraries. Creating a beat with samples or being able to sample replace a kick or snare drum on the
- [Why collaboration creates success](https://understandingaudio.com/why-collaboration-creates-success/) - He’s all over the radio again, dropping singles straight into the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 100 and landing a fourth No. 1 album on the Billboard 200 chart. When I was younger, I would never have thought I’d be writing this article but today’s post rather heavily features the work of non other
- [Cleaning up dialogue with waves WNS and Z-Noise](https://understandingaudio.com/cleaning-up-dialogue-with-waves-wns-and-z-noise/) - One of the worst things that you can encounter when working with dialogue is noise on the track. In an interview setting, noise can creep into recordings in a number of different ways, and in this video I talk about using two Waves plugins to clean up excess noise and regain clarity. Rather than thinking…
- [TrainYourEars - Midrange Basics](https://understandingaudio.com/trainyourears-midrange-basics/) - For a number of years, I’ve been using TrainYourEars as a tool to sharpen up my knowledge of frequency ranges and to help my ears differentiate the subtle differences that make the difference. TrainYourEars EQ Edition is a piece of ear training software for PC and Mac designed to help you better understand equalizers and…
- [How to make a mixing reference set](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-make-a-mixing-reference-set/) - If you’re looking to get faster at mixing, get comfortable mixing in any listening environment and make sure your mixes never fall apart again outside of your studio, then this video is for you. It’s very easy to get lost in a mix and be unsure of what direction or steps to take next. This…
- [4 easy ways to get inspired to make music](https://understandingaudio.com/4-easy-ways-to-get-inspired-to-make-music/) - Most of the time, we just need to sit down and focus on the task at hand to get it done. Avoiding distractions is usually pretty easy and we can rely on our willpower to carry us through to get important things done. But willpower is a finite resource and sometimes, our morning coffee is…
- [How to loudness match a mixing reference set (Part 2 of 2)](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-loudness-match-a-mixing-reference-set-part-2-of-2/) - Part 1 of this video focused on loudness matching your reference set by ear and without a meter. If you haven’t checked that out yet, then watch that video first. In this video, I’m going to help you take your mixes that one step closer to the pros by getting the most accurate comparison between…
- [The quick way to test if a track is stereo or mono](https://understandingaudio.com/the-quick-way-to-test-if-a-track-is-stereo-or-mono/) - I made today’s video for you to answer a question I get all the time… When should I keep my tracks in stereo and when should I make them mono? This is a question I used to really struggle with when I was starting out and my decisiveness was lacking. Now I know that there’s…
- [4 proven microphones you can use to record great vocals](https://understandingaudio.com/4-proven-microphones-you-can-use-to-record-great-vocals/) - This week, I’ve been doing some vocal recording sessions and I’m loving it! Today, I’d like to talk about 4 proven microphones you can use to record great vocals. Not only that, but I’ll also offer some alternatives if those I’ve listed are unavailable to you or a little out of your price range. So…
- [Why having too many plugins is a problem](https://understandingaudio.com/why-having-too-many-plugins-is-a-problem/) - If you’re a plugin junkie and you’re proud of your collection, this article headline might make you feel a little provoked… so either continue in bliss or hear me out! I spent some of yesterday evening installing Pro Tools and plugins on my new computer. While setting up a new laptop and getting ready for…
- [One way to fix Pro Tools export issues](https://understandingaudio.com/one-way-to-fix-pro-tools-export-issues/) - None of us enjoy wasting our time or when our programs don’t work how we’d like them to. I encountered this problem a number of times in my early days as an engineer before finding the simple solution. If you’re having trouble getting files to export from Pro Tools, I have one guaranteed way to…
- [The first step to fix muddy mixes](https://understandingaudio.com/the-first-step-to-fix-muddy-mixes/) - A common problem a lot of us encounter when we’re mixing is that we don’t achieve the same level of clarity as the mixes we hear on the radio or our favourite streaming service. Quite simply… our mixes sound “muddy”. The first step to fix this problem is to use a very easy EQ move.…
- [7 easy ways to test your mixes](https://understandingaudio.com/7-easy-ways-to-test-your-mixes/) - I’ve spoken at length about the importance of reference mixes and how they should be used before you start a mix and the whole way through the process. I even put together a free guide on how to get a guaranteed professional sounding mix every time. If you haven’t downloaded it yet, what are you
- [How to adjust to mixing in a new room](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-adjust-to-mixing-in-a-new-room/) - Mixing in a new room or space you don’t work in regularly is one of the biggest (and most fun!) challenges you can face as a mixer. I have to do it from time to time and it’s something you might do now or at least have to in the future. If you start mixing
- [Put the work in](https://understandingaudio.com/put-the-work-in/) - To be really good at mixing you have to put in the work, trust in others, be decisive and in constant search of balance. To gain more of an understanding of this, all you have to do is watch an interview with any of your favourite mixers and you’ll see that they’re obsessed with what…
- [How to hear every frequency in a mix](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-hear-every-frequency-in-a-mix/) - Something that pops up for mixers of various experience levels all the time is how to get the most out of every frequency in a mix. To do that, you first have to be able to hear every frequency in a mix. That doesn’t mean you need above average hearing (although that might help you!)
- [Why constructive criticism is good for your mixes](https://understandingaudio.com/why-constructive-criticism-is-good-for-your-mixes/) - Your job as a mixing engineer is not to make sure you’re the star of the show. It’s to make sure the song is the star of the show. Every fader move, every EQ move and everything you compress should be done to get the best creative balance for the track in front of you
- [Think of your mix like a cluttered closet](https://understandingaudio.com/think-of-your-mix-like-a-cluttered-closet/) - No, this isn’t a lecture on keeping your room clean, but there are a lot of similarities between a cluttered mix and a cluttered closet. It can be really difficult to find what you’re looking for in your closet when it’s full to the brim and your favourite band t-shirt (mine’s Pink Floyd) is buried somewhere in the back. The same can be said with mixing. How are you supposed to hear everything clearly when there’s clutter in your mix? Besides a great arrangement and a nicely balanced fader mix, the most powerful tool you can use to clear up your mix is EQ.
- [The quality of your references doesn't matter](https://understandingaudio.com/the-quality-of-your-references-doesnt-matter/) - Now, before you start getting upset at me for criticising your taste in music, that’s not my goal! The quality I’m referring to is the audio quality and not the subjective quality of the music you use. So if you’re all about using 'Hit Me Baby One More Time' as a reference, I’m not judging.
- [5 quick steps to improve your mixing confidence](https://understandingaudio.com/5-quick-steps-to-improve-your-mixing-confidence/) - In everyday life, one of the worst things we can do is compare ourselves to others. We’re all at various stages on our journey and drawing comparisons between yourself and others will generally leave you feeling a little disappointed. Sometimes, it'll provide you with motivation. The exact same can be said about mixing. Now,
- [The one problem with Top Down Mixing](https://understandingaudio.com/the-one-problem-with-top-down-mixing/) - Top Down Mixing is by far one of the easiest and quickest ways to get your mixes sounding the way you want as quickly as possible. Here are the three biggest benefits of using the Top Down Mixing approach: You use a lot less plugins You save on processing power You mix a lot quicker
- [Your hearing is everything](https://understandingaudio.com/your-hearing-is-everything/) - Your hearing is everything. Without it, you can't hear the beauty of music, let alone mix it. Throughout my life, I’ve been prone to inner ear infections. Luckily, they’re sporadic. But earlier this year I had an issue with my ears equalising pressure during a flight and it led to some extreme pain, balance issues
- [Are you making this mixing mistake?](https://understandingaudio.com/are-you-making-this-mixing-mistake/) - I'm going to highlight one of the biggest mistakes I used to make when I was starting out as an engineer... and it's not pretty! This is a mistake that I still see a lot of mixers of all experience levels making and I don't want you to be one of them. Before you think
- [Let's stop mixing this way](https://understandingaudio.com/lets-stop-mixing-this-way/) - It’s time to talk about something subtle that affects a lot of engineers. This one little problem can affect us all in our daily lives but when it comes to mixing, its effects are particularly damaging. That one problem is impatience. I know that your biggest frustration might be with the fact that
- [How to improve your drum mix without touching a fader](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-improve-your-drum-mix-without-touching-a-fader/) - There are lots of things you can do to improve your drum mix before you even touch a fader. Most people will skip past these steps and get to the “more exciting parts of mixing” and then wonder why their mixes don’t sound professional later. In this video, I’m going to highlight how taking a
- [5 lessons you can learn from the world's biggest band](https://understandingaudio.com/5-lessons-you-can-learn-from-the-worlds-biggest-band/) - Following on from my article about the patterns you can spot in the most successful people, I want to share another experience with you that highlights a few more characteristics you can use to help set you up for long-term success. This weekend, I was very lucky to have seen U2 play in Trafalgar Square
- [How to EQ Sweep the right way](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-eq-sweep-the-right-way/) - In this video, I’m going to show you how I learned about EQ sweeping, why we EQ sweep, and the mistakes you can easily avoid those when it comes to your mixes..
- [How to avoid ruining your mix](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-avoid-ruining-your-mix/) - Have you over got to the point in your mix where you really feel like you’ve lost complete control over what you’re doing? I can hold my hands up and say that I absolutely have. It’s a really terrible feeling and you realise that you have to untangle the mess you’ve made
- [A proven technique to start mixing virtual instruments](https://understandingaudio.com/a-proven-technique-to-start-mixing-virtual-instruments/) - If you work with virtual instruments, then this video is for you. There's often a lot of confusion about the approach to take when mixing virtual instruments, but I'm here to clear that up. You can even use this technique very early in the production process, so that your track mixes itself! In this video,
- [When premium plugins beat stock plugins](https://understandingaudio.com/when-premium-plugins-beat-stock-plugins/) - It is possible to make a professional sounding mix with only stock plugins but how many of the best mixing engineers are doing that? If you watch interviews and tutorials from Grammy-winning mixing engineers, how many of them do you see demonstrating their mixing skills using only stock plugins and no outboard gear? Let's talk
- [How to quickly balance the low end of your mix](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-quickly-balance-the-low-end-of-your-mix/) - Let's talk low end confusion. There are many methods and steps you can take to get a nice, round low end in your mix. However, that nicely balanced sound often escapes us and we're left feeling a little disappointed. It's time to put an end to that! More often than not, we don't get the
- [Why other musicians make you better](https://understandingaudio.com/why-other-musicians-make-you-better/) - When you start out learning how to play an instrument, you improve gradually over time, but you really start to see huge progress when you begin to collaborate and play with other musicians. The exact same can be said for mixing. I’ve already spoken about how constructive criticism from your clients can help you improve
- [Understanding Plate Reverb with Soundtoys Little Plate](https://understandingaudio.com/understanding-plate-reverb-with-soundtoys-little-plate/) - This is a fun one! There are various types of reverb and a multitude of reverb plugins. That can often lead to us overthinking which type of reverb or which plugin to use in what application... it can get overwhelming! Fear not, it's not as complicated as you might think. The reason why this video
- [12 steps to stop procrastinating](https://understandingaudio.com/12-steps-to-stop-procrastinating/) - Have you over thought to yourself, "I'll finish that project one day", or "I'll try that EQ technique one day"? Have those thoughts then been followed up with complete inaction? If the answer is yes... Congratulations, you're human! I've encountered this with a lot of brilliant, creative people and it is absolutely something I've
- [How to get wider, balanced synths](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-get-wider-balanced-synths/) - If synths or keys are part of any of your productions, then this is something that will really help you. Whether they're analog, digital, or virtual/soft synths, the techniques I go through in this video will get you thinking about how you can get your mixes sounding wider, deeper and much more balanced. In this
- [Let's stop doing this...](https://understandingaudio.com/lets-stop-doing-this/) - We all have opinions. That’s what makes us unique. Getting feedback from other engineers, producers and musicians on our music, mixes, gear, plugins and new technology is invaluable. But some people offer opinions when they really shouldn’t... I was watching Warren Huart’s live stream on Saturday and one of the fantastic points he made was
- [The main reason why you're overusing compression](https://understandingaudio.com/the-main-reason-why-youre-overusing-compression/) - Compression is one of the most useful tools we have at our disposal when it comes to producing great music. Whether you use it to balance dynamics or as a creative effect, compression is incredibly powerful when used tastefully. However, it does seem that more often than not, we have a tendency to overuse this
- [A little known way to balance your midrange](https://understandingaudio.com/a-little-known-way-to-balance-your-midrange/) - Have you ever been left disappointed by the quality of your mixes? Do they sound muddy and boxy, rather than full and clear? If you’ve answered yes to either of those questions, then this video will help you.
- [Start panning your reverbs NOW!](https://understandingaudio.com/start-panning-your-reverbs-now/) - Did you ever think that panning your reverbs could make a big difference to your mixes? Learn how to make your reverb effects work better for you...
- [5 secrets to getting a great mix on headphones](https://understandingaudio.com/5-secrets-to-getting-a-great-mix-on-headphones/) - If you mix on headphones a lot or don’t have access to studio monitors on a regular basis, then this is for you. Headphones have their place in every mix that I work on and I’d encourage you to use them as well. When do I use them? Even if I’ve completed 80% of my
- [How to use filters to balance guitars and bass](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-use-filters-to-balance-guitars-and-bass/) - Using filters can make a huge difference to the balance of the guitars and bass in your mix. Not only will using EQ filters help clear up your individual tracks in the context of the full mix, but they'll also help glue your guitar parts and bass parts together so you'll have a much more
- [5 ways to avoid the damaging effects of reverb](https://understandingaudio.com/5-ways-to-avoid-the-damaging-effects-of-reverb/) - Reverb is an unbelievably effective tool when it comes to producing great music. Not only can it help you localise sound and add distinctive effects to your mixes, but it can even create or enhance a particular type of mood within your productions. There are many more ways in which the creative use of reverb
- [EQ vs. Compression: What's more important?](https://understandingaudio.com/eq-vs-compression-whats-more-important/) - We've got a real discussion on our hands! When it comes to great production and mixes, which is more important - EQ or Compression? This video came about due an excellent email I received about the various stages of development as a mixer/producer. In that email I was asked which tool I felt was more
- [Don't worry, we'll fix it in the mix!](https://understandingaudio.com/dont-worry-well-fix-it-in-the-mix/) - How many times have you heard that? Or, have you even said it yourself? You might or might not know that I got my break in audio by working in post production. One of the most dreaded phrases you could possibly hear as a mixer was, “We’ll fix it in post”. That meant that whatever
- [Do you lose control of your mixes?](https://understandingaudio.com/do-you-lose-control-of-your-mixes/) - It's really not that hard to lose control of your mixes. Without proper gain staging and a nice balanced mix with the faders, you're already fighting an uphill battle. But what if you know you nail those things on every mix and still at some point during the mixing process, things start to go sideways?
- [An easy way to create space in your mixes](https://understandingaudio.com/an-easy-way-to-create-space-in-your-mixes/) - All professional mixes benefit from having some sense of separation and space between the individual elements. Find out how to create better space in yours!
- [Why Level Matching EQ will change how you mix FOREVER!](https://understandingaudio.com/why-level-matching-eq-will-change-how-you-mix-forever/) - This is one of the most important things I have ever learned about mixing and I guarantee it will change how you mix forever! Getting to grips with EQ can be tricky. Over time, you start to have more confidence in your decisions and you start to spot the frequencies that need adjusting a lot
- [My main mixing secret...](https://understandingaudio.com/my-main-mixing-secret/) - We’re always looking for the silver bullet to get our mixes sounding professional, polished and pristine on a consistent basis. As you can see from that first sentence, my search for 'p words' is complete, but the hunt for that mixing silver bullet seems never-ending for a lot of us. Personally, I don’t feel there's
- [How to produce music with Xpand!2 (Part 2 - Chords & Pads)](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-produce-music-with-xpand2-part-2-chords-pads/) - In part one of this series, I showed you how to make a nice modern drum beat with Xpand!2. The idea behind this video series is to show you how you can create great sounds with either stock or free virtual instruments. Almost every DAW comes with an inbuilt VST instrument that you can use
- [Read this if you're worried about how your room sounds](https://understandingaudio.com/read-this-if-youre-worried-about-how-your-room-sounds/) - There are those things in life we all have to go through that we hate. Now, unless you’ve lived in the same house all your life, moving is one of those things. And last Monday was moving day for me… I get that you might actually like moving, so in that case... what’s wrong with
- [Want better mixes? Here’s how to get there, fast](https://understandingaudio.com/want-better-mixes-heres-how-to-get-there-fast/) - If you feel like you should be making better progress with your mixes and that the end result should sound much better, I completely understand. A long time ago, I used to spend a stupid amount of time trying to learn about mixing, figuring out how to use the hottest plugins and wasting my money
- [Breathe new life into your mixes](https://understandingaudio.com/breathe-new-life-into-your-mixes/) - Have you hit a point with your mixes where they just doesn't sound the way you want them to? A lot of the time, there's absolutely nothing wrong with the music you're writing and working on and sometimes the difference is in our approach towards maximising the mix. This video focuses on a beat that
- [The first step towards making money as a mixing engineer](https://understandingaudio.com/the-first-step-towards-making-money-as-a-mixing-engineer/) - Feel free to replace “mixing engineer” with anything you’d like to “become” or something you love that you’d like to have generating an income stream for you. There’s a fundamental first step that most people skip over, end up wasting a lot of time and move no closer to achieving their goal. This first step
- [4 strategies for consistent mixing results](https://understandingaudio.com/4-strategies-for-consistent-mixing-results/) - Forget the distractions and the “weird tricks” that you’ll find and follow if you read enough music forum threads. When it comes to getting consistent mixing results, no matter what the genre, there are a number of simple strategies that work. Today, you’re going to learn 4 and if you apply even one of them,
- [How to produce music with Xpand!2 (Part 3 - Bass)](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-produce-music-with-xpand2-part-3-bass/) - Part one of this series showed you how to make a nice modern drum beat with Xpand!2. Part two helped you create some nice chord and pad sounds to develop a nice sense of harmony in your production. This video is all about how to produce some really nice bass sounds that compliment your music.
- [This simple EQ move will help your vocals](https://understandingaudio.com/this-simple-eq-move-will-help-your-vocals/) - Have you ever listened to a song and been left really unimpressed by the sound of the vocal? I’m not talking about the vocal performance or the songwriting itself. I’m talking about the actual sound quality of the vocal. Yes, there are many ways to record vocals and depending on the type of voice, there
- [How to produce music with Xpand!2 (Part 4 - Lead Synths)](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-produce-music-with-xpand2-part-4-lead-synths/) - Part one of this series showed you how to make a nice modern drum beat with Xpand!2. Part two helped you create some nice chord and pad sounds to develop a nice sense of harmony in your production. Part three was all about producing bass sounds that compliment and cut through the mix. This video
- [Do you really know what your plugins do?](https://understandingaudio.com/do-you-really-know-what-your-plugins-do/) - I’m sure you have your favourite plugins - your “go to” choices for EQ, compression, distortion etc. I know I definitely have my favourites, but do you really know what they all do or what they’re capable of doing for your mixes? For example, do you know why some engineers might use a serial compression
- [How to learn over 100 new mixing tips](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-learn-over-100-new-mixing-tips/) - Do you want to be world class like Rick Rubin or Manny Marroquin? Or just good enough to release your music? I understand your goals are unique; they’re different and that’s great! It’s what makes you one of a kind and makes you stand out. But it’s rare to chat with a musician and find
- [Side-chain compression using Waves RCompressor](https://understandingaudio.com/side-chain-compression-using-waves-rcompressor/) - Understanding Audio's Stephen Kelly offers a side-chain compression tutorial for kick and bass using the Waves RCompressor Plugin.
- [Want a more natural reverb sound?](https://understandingaudio.com/want-a-more-natural-reverb-sound/) - You know those mics that people stick up when they’re recording a drum kit, piano, guitar part or kazoo and they’re a little further back in the room? Of course you do. They’re called room mics and, as an intelligent, creative mixer, you’ll know exactly how to use them as part of your mix. Do
- [The biggest mistake most people make in their audio career...](https://understandingaudio.com/the-biggest-mistake-most-people-make-in-their-audio-career/) - You’re reading this because you’re passionate about sound. You might be a musician but you have an appreciation for anything that sounds good - movies, games, tv shows etc. Our individual goals are probably quite different but what we do have in common is that we want to express ourselves through music or audio in
- [The most important part of your music mix](https://understandingaudio.com/the-most-important-part-of-your-music-mix/) - We all love getting a bit creative and putting our own personal stamp on things. Now there’s really nothing wrong with that and it’s what separates Michael Jackson from Mozart, or Pablo Picasso from Vincent Van Gogh. Brilliant creativity is truly unique and it’s a wonderful thing. But is it a mixing engineer’s job to
- [How to create effective mixing transitions](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-create-effective-mixing-transitions/) - So you've got a great mix on your hands... You know the song is well written, it's been recorded well and now you've balanced everything really nicely with intelligent use of your faders, EQ, compression and effects. But something's still not quite right. You know exactly what you want your chorus to sound like, but
- [How to produce music with Xpand!2 (Part 1 - Drums)](https://understandingaudio.com/how-to-produce-music-with-xpand2-part-1-drums/) - Do you ever get frustrated that you don't own the virtual instruments that you know will make the ultimate difference to your music production? I understand your frustration but I'm also here to let you know that you don't need premium plugins or virtual instruments to create great music. Almost every DAW these days comes
- [Why subtlety makes your mixes great](https://understandingaudio.com/why-subtlety-makes-your-mixes-great/) - I got a great comment about subtlety over the weekend, so let’s kick off with that: "Some of the before and after examples that I see and hear, I can’t tell the difference unless it’s blindingly obvious. All the subtle tweaks pass me by." Now I think this is a fantastic point for many reasons,

## Pages

- [Whitelist Instructions](https://understandingaudio.com/whitelist-instructions/) - Here are the super simple steps you need to take to make sure you get emails from me when I send them to you! Most people these days use Gmail, so here's how to whitelist me there: 1) Find emails from me in your inbox. You'll find me under Stephen (Understanding Audio) or stephen@understandingaudio.com 2)
- [Get Pro Mixes...](https://understandingaudio.com/get-pro-mixes/) - SUCCESS! Your PDF guide has been emailed to you! You're one step closer to unique professional sounding mixes every time...
- [Hey, how’s it going?](https://understandingaudio.com/about/) - I’m Stephen and I created Understanding Audio for you. When you watch most audio tutorial videos online, you’ll be shown how to use a few tricks. When you apply what I teach, you’ll know how to use the techniques I show you but you’ll also deeply understand why you’re using them. Why is
- [Sumo Test](https://understandingaudio.com/sumo-test/) - Click Here
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- [Contact](https://understandingaudio.com/contact/) - Email me... stephen[at]understandingaudio.com OR....
- [Train Your Ears](https://understandingaudio.com/tye/) - SUCCESS! Thanks for downloading the video! You're one step closer to the sharpest ears in the game... In case you missed the download link for the exercise package, here it is again for you... Download the exercise package Remember you can use the code tye-understandingaudio for 20% off Train Your Ears here
- [The One Hack That Guarantees A Unique, Pro Sounding Mix](https://understandingaudio.com/one-hack-to-a-pro-mix/) - Thanks for being part of Understanding Audio. Here's your Free Download of 'The One Hack That Guarantees A Unique, Pro Sounding Mix'... Click here for the guide (Worth $17 - FREE TODAY)
- [Sample Page](https://understandingaudio.com/sample-page/) - This is an example page. It's different from a blog post because it will stay in one place and will show up in your site navigation (in most themes). Most people start with an About page that introduces them to potential site visitors. It might say something like this: Hi there! I'm a bike messenger

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