Discover how to achieve release-quality mixes even in the smallest studios by applying power-user techniques from the world's most successful producers.

Mike Senior is a professional engineer who has worked with Wet Wet Wet, The Charlatans, Reef, Therapy, and Nigel Kennedy. He specializes in adapting the techniques of top producers for those working in small studios and on a tight budget. He has transformed dozens of amateur productions for Sound On Sound magazine's popular "Mix Rescue" column, proving time and again that you can achieve commercial-grade results with affordable gear-once you know how!

Table of Contents

Part 1 Hearing & Listening

Chapter 1 Using Nearfield Monitors

Chapter 2 Supplementary Monitoring

Chapter 3 Low-end Damage Limitation

Chapter 4 From Subjective Impressions To Objective Results

Part 2 Mix Preparation

Chapter 5 Essential Groundwork

Chapter 6 Timing and Tuning Adjustments

Chapter 7 Comping and Arrangement

Part 3 Balance

Chapter 8 Building the Raw Balance

Chapter 9 Compressing for a Reason

Chapter 10 Beyond Compression

Chapter 11 Equalizing for a Reason

Chapter 12 Beyond EQ

Chapter 13 Frequency-Selective Dynamics

Chapter 14 The Power Of Side Chains

Chapter 15 Toward Fluent Balancing

Part 4 Sweetening to Taste

Chapter 16 Mixing with Reverb

Chapter 17 Mixing with Delays

Chapter 18 Stereo Enhancements

Chapter 19 Master-buss Processing, Automation, and Endgame

Chapter 20 Conclusion

Appendix 1 Music Studios and the Recording Process: An Overview

Appendix 2 Who's Who: Selected Discography

Appendix 3 Quote References

Appendix 4 Picture Credits