Mixing is the process of balancing individual elements within the tracks, including vocals and different instruments. This process dates back to before the 1950s when mixing engineers were called balance engineers because they worked to balance the volume of each instrument. Today, as technology has advanced, the job is much more complex and deals with many more variables – but it still starts with balance at the foundation!

This is the final refinement process that a track will go through before distribution – the cherry on top that takes the hard work completed in the mixing process and elevates it to an even higher level. This is what will take your track to the same level as professional mixes, making it sound the same fully finished quality as any other track you hear on the radio, stream off a playlist, or hear on a soundtrack. It’s also what brings an entire album to life, bringing each song together to create a cohesive and exciting unit.

What’s the Difference Between Mixing & Mastering?

Mixing is the process of balancing individual elements within the tracks, including vocals and different instruments. Mastering is the final refinement process that a track will go through before distribution. It's the cherry on top that takes the hard work completed in the mixing process and elevates it to an even higher level.

Recording

Mixing vs Mastering: What’s the Difference and Why It Matter

October 8, 2021

If you’ve been writing songs, improving your sound and preparing to record professionally, understanding mixing vs mastering is essential. These two stages of music production are often confused, especially for artists entering the studio for the first time. Yet each serves a unique role in shaping a song’s final sound.

In this guide, our team at Kore Studios breaks down what mixing is, what mastering is, and how they differ, helping you take the next step toward a polished, release-ready track.

Tracking, Mixing and Mastering: How a Song Comes Together

Every project begins with tracking — the process of recording your instruments and vocals in a professional recording studio before the mixing and mastering stages begin

Understanding the workflow of mixing vs mastering a song will help you communicate better with your engineer and make informed decisions about your sound.

What Is Mixing?

Mixing is the stage where your raw recordings are balanced, shaped and enhanced. Engineers adjust levels, EQ, effects and spatial placement to create a cohesive, emotional and engaging version of your track.

Before the 1950s, mixing engineers were known as “balance engineers,” and even with today’s technology, balance remains the foundation of a great mix.

Key Elements of a Mix

A modern mix typically involves refining:

Balance – Ensuring no instrument or vocal overwhelms the others
Panorama – Positioning elements across the stereo field
Frequency – Managing tonal clarity using EQ
Dimension – Adding reverb, delay and ambience
Interest – Enhancing emotional impact through creative decisions

Modern mixing sessions often include over 100 individual tracks, from layered vocals to complex instrument arrangements. Because of this, audio mixing vs mastering often feels more detailed and transformative.

The Two Stages of Mixing

Mixing can be divided into two key phases:

Technical phase
The engineer focuses on precision — controlling dynamics, removing clashes, adjusting frequencies and ensuring a professional baseline.
Creative phase
This is where the mix comes to life. Engineers use effects such as saturation, stereo widening and automation to enhance emotion, drama and clarity.

Together, these stages shape the majority of the track’s final sound before mastering takes over.

Popular Software for Audio Mixing

Mix engineers often use advanced DAWs and plugins such as:

Logic Pro X
Adobe Audition
FabFilter Pro-Q3
Waves plugins
iZotope Neutron

What Is Mastering?

Mastering is the final refinement step before your track is released. While mixing focuses on individual elements, mastering takes the finished stereo file and ensures it sounds polished, balanced and consistent across all playback systems.

Mastering engineers also prepare your song for distribution formats — streaming platforms, vinyl, radio, or sync — and ensure it meets loudness standards, addressing topics like LUFS mixing vs mastering.

Key Elements of Audio Mastering

Mastering typically involves:

Dynamics control – Compression, limiting and gating
Equalisation – Enhancing tonal balance
Harmonic enhancement – Adding subtle energy and cohesion
Sample rate & bit depth conversion (dither) – Ensuring audio quality is maintained
Quality control – Identifying issues that slipped through the mix

Mastering engineers apply changes holistically, working with the track as a whole — another key point in the mixing engineer vs mastering engineer comparison.

Mastering Tools & Software

Common mastering applications include:

Steinberg WaveLab
FabFilter Pro-L2
Magix Sequoia
FL Studio with specialised mastering plugins

Mixing vs Mastering: The Core Differences

Here is the simplest breakdown of what is mixing vs mastering:

Mixing	Mastering
Works with individual tracks	Works with final stereo mix
Adjusts levels, EQ, effects	Enhances overall tonal balance
Biggest impact on artistic feel	Ensures consistency & loudness
Creative and transformative	Subtle and technical
Multiple revisions common	Usually one or two passes

Mixing shapes the identity of your track; mastering ensures that identity translates across every speaker and platform.

Do You Need Both Mixing and Mastering?

Yes, If you’re planning to release your track on Spotify or Apple Music, you’ll first want a polished mix and master. Whether you’re working on an EP, single or full album, mixing vs mastering vs producing all forms part of a complete production workflow.

Next, learn how to get your music on streaming platforms to take the final step toward distribution.

Professional Mixing and Mastering Services at Kore Studios

At Kore Studios in London, our engineers guide you through every stage — from tracking to mixing to mastering services — using world-class studio equipment and years of industry experience. We’ve worked with emerging artists as well as major names such as White Lies, Florence + the Machine and Manic Street Preachers.

If you’re ready to transform your song into a release-ready track, book a session with our mixing or mastering engineers today.

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