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DIY Mixing vs. Professional Mixing: Which is Right for You?

So you have just finished recording your song at home with great guitar parts, luscious synth lines and amazing harmonies. Once it's time to mix, what do you do? Mix it yourself or send it to a professional mix engineer? The difference can be a lot larger than you think as a professional mix engineer can transform your song from sounding like a demo, to a slick edgy song that will stand up against other commercial releases. It may also cost you less than you think. In this blog post we will explore the benefits of DIY mixing and professional mix engineering, and help you decide which is right for you.


Professional mixing can get you a much better result than DIY mixing and may cost you a lot less than you think.
Ben Hense mixing a song at Beat Tank Studio in Melbourne


When it comes to mixing your song, there are pros and cons to both DIY mixing and professional mix engineering. Let's start with DIY mixing. One of the main benefits of doing it yourself is that you have complete control over the mix. You can spend as much time as you want on each element, making sure that everything is just right. You can also experiment with different sounds and effects, until you find something that really works for the song. The downside of DIY mixing is that it can be very time consuming, and if you're not careful, you can end up with a muddy sounding mix. It can also be difficult to get a consistent sound across all of your tracks if you're not using the same equipment throughout the process. If you are mixing on cheap speakers or headphones in an untreated room, you will find it tough to remove all the unwanted frequencies that will make your mix sound muddy and busy. You will also not have access to analog processing and a mixing console that can really transform a mix to sound more open and punchy.

Professional mix engineers have years of experience and know all the tricks of the trade. They can work wonders with your song, and in many cases, will be able to get a much better sounding mix than you could ever achieve yourself. The downside is that it can be expensive to hire a professional mix engineer, and you may not have as much control over the mix as you would if you did it yourself. Having said this, you don't have to spend a fortune on a mix engineer and get a great result. Prices can be as low as $200 and as high as $2000 for a mix. But for $300 to $500, you should be able to get a pretty good mix.

We all know the saying, "If you want something done right, you have to do it yourself." And while that may be true in some cases, when it comes to mixing a song, it's best to leave it to the professionals. Mix engineers have years of experience and know all the tricks of the trade. They can work wonders with your song, and in many cases, will be able to get a much better sounding mix than you could ever achieve yourself. If you're serious about getting your music to sound its best, hiring a professional mix engineer is definitely worth the investment.


Running your mix through some tasty gear can give a harsh digital recording more depth and polish.
Analog gear you will find at a professional studio

So which is right for you? If you're on a tight budget, or if you're just starting out, DIY mixing is probably the way to go. But if you want your song to sound its best, and you're willing to invest some money into the process, hiring a professional mix engineer is probably the way to go. Whichever route you decide to take, make sure you take the time to do some research and find someone who you trust to get the job done right and who has mixed the genre of music you make before.


If you're anything like me, the process of getting your music from your bedroom to the outside world can be a bit daunting. But never fear! Thanks to the internet, it's easier than ever to get your music into the hands of professional mix engineers. All you need to do is bounce out the stems of all the tracks, with no plug-ins or processing, and send them online using Dropbox or Wetransfer. The mix engineer will do the rest! Once the mix is complete, he'll send it back for your feedback and make any revisions needed until it's perfect. The whole process is a lot easier than you think.


Ben Hense at Beat Tank Studio in Melbourne's North Eastern suburbs has over 20 years of experience in mixing songs in many genres. Call him today for a free quote for your next song. His prices are very reasonable, and he is a highly skilled engineer. You will not be disappointed with the results. Ben has a passion for music and has been mixing songs for over two decades. He has worked with many different artists in a variety of genres, and he has a wealth of knowledge to share. If you are looking for someone to help you mix your next song, then look no further than Ben Hense at Beat Tank Studio. Contact him today and see what he can do for you.


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