Mastering vs Mixing: Key Differences You Need to Know
DES GREY MASTERING World-Class Audio Mastering in South Africa. Stereo to Dolby Atmos. Hi, I’m Des. For nearly two decades, I’ve passionately honed the art of audio mastering, perfecting the tone and feel of your music so it doesn’t just sound good, it feels right. At Des Grey Mastering, we build a true partnership through clear communication and collaboration, ensuring your unique artistry shines through a professional, impactful sound. Let’s connect. WHAT WE DO Specialising in Stereo, Stem, Dolby Atmos, and Vinyl Mastering. Trusted by Artists Worldwide. Our Core Mastering Services: Stereo Mastering | Stem Mastering | Dolby Atmos Mastering | Vinyl Mastering | Audio Post-Production Beyond Mastering: Our Network & Oversight While specialising in mastering, we leverage our network of finest mixing engineers to oversee your entire production, ensuring top-notch quality and a seamless journey from mix to final master. ONLINE BOOKING World-Class Sound, Wherever You Are. Mastering with unparalleled convenience. Our online service includes: Multi-format exports | Alternate edits | Unlimited revisions | Apple Digital Masters | Fast turnaround Ready to get started? [CLICK HERE TO BOOK NOW] Simply choose your number of tracks, and you’ll be directed to our secure upload page after your order. It’s that easy! Prefer to chat first? Drop me a message on +27847202668 to discuss your project. OUR WORK Hear the Difference. SELECT ARTISTS I HAVE WORKED WITH MASSH. ADAM PORT. NINEA.KEINEMUSIK. MI CASA. BLACK MOTION. DESIREE. BUSISWA. MONEY BADOO. SOLO. PABLO BOLIVIA. SPICE DRUMS. DR DUDA. VOLARIS. CHARLES WEBSTER. AVNU. PHONIKZ. JUST MOVE RECORDS. XPRESSED RECORDS. MBALI NKOSI. KOHDA. AYANDA JIYA. RORISANG SECHELE. WENDY ECOBAR LISTEN TO OUR WORK Mastering vs Mixing: Key Differences You Need to Know Mastering and mixing are two critical steps in the music production process, but they serve very different purposes. Understanding the key differences between the two can help you better navigate your music production journey, whether you’re producing, mixing, or preparing your tracks for release. What is Mixing? Mixing is the process where individual audio tracks (vocals, instruments, drums, etc.) are combined and balanced into a cohesive whole. This is where a mix engineer shapes the sound by adjusting the volume, panning, EQ (equalization), compression, reverb, and other effects. The goal of mixing is to ensure that each element of the song is clear and properly balanced, creating a unified sound. Key Focus of Mixing: Balancing individual tracks (vocals, drums, guitars, etc.) Adjusting levels, EQ, and effects for each instrument or voice Creating space and dimension through panning and stereo placement Shaping the overall sound and feel of the track What is Mastering? Mastering is the final step in the music production process, where the mixed track (or album) is polished and optimized for distribution across various formats (CDs, vinyl, streaming platforms, etc.). Mastering involves adjusting the overall sound of the song, ensuring consistency between tracks on an album, and enhancing the audio to make it sound its best across all playback systems. The mastering engineer focuses on aspects like EQ, compression, and limiting at a global level, refining the overall tone, dynamics, and loudness. The track is also prepared in the correct format, including file type, resolution, and metadata for distribution. Key Focus of Mastering: Finalizing the track for distribution across different platforms Enhancing the overall sound, including loudness, balance, and clarity Ensuring consistency across tracks (especially for albums) Preparing the song for different formats and platforms (e.g., streaming, vinyl, CD) Key Differences Between Mixing and Mastering Focus: Mixing focuses on individual tracks and their relationships within the song. Mastering focuses on the final stereo mix and optimizing it for distribution. Scope: Mixing deals with the details of each element in the track (vocals, instruments, effects). Mastering works with the overall sound of the complete song or album. Timing: Mixing happens before mastering, during the production stage of the track. Mastering happens after the mix is finalized, just before distribution. Objective: The objective of mixing is to balance the individual elements of the song. The objective of mastering is to enhance the track and make it sound its best across various playback systems and formats. Tools Used: Mixing uses tools like EQ, compression, reverb, and panning to shape individual tracks. Mastering uses EQ, compression, limiting, and stereo enhancement to polish the final mix. When Do You Need Mixing vs Mastering? Mixing is required during the production process, and it is typically done by a mixing engineer who works with the multi-track recordings of a song. Mastering is the final stage, and it is typically handled by a mastering engineer who works with the mixed track to ensure it’s ready for release. Both mixing and mastering are essential to the final sound of your music, but they each serve a unique purpose. Mixing ensures each element of the song is balanced and clear, while mastering ensures that the entire track or album is polished, optimized, and ready for distribution. Understanding these differences will help you better approach the music production process and achieve the best possible result for your tracks. About Des Grey: With over two decades in the music industry, Des Grey is a seasoned mastering engineer specialising in precision audio enhancement for artists, labels, and producers. Known for a meticulous ear and a passion for sonic excellence, Des offers multi genre mastering—from hip-hop and electronic to rock and jazz. Credits: Worked with independent artists & major-label projects. View Credits Specialties: Dynamic range optimisation, loudness balancing, and streaming-ready formats. Philosophy: “Music Should Feel Good—enhancing the tone, respecting the artist intent.” Based in South Africa, Des Grey Mastering is committed to helping artists achieve professional, competitive sound for digital platforms, vinyl, and beyond. Recent Clients: Massh, Keinemusik, Black Motion, Mi Casa, Thando Zide, FiNE Music, Busiswa, Money Badoo, Solo, Charles Webster Contact details below.