How Can Audio Mixing and Mastering Help You Land a Job In The Music Industry?

Mixing and mastering are two very different but unique concepts in audio production. Mixing audio involves combining and adjusting different individual tracks together to create a stereo audio file after mixdown. Mastering, on the other hand, involves polishing the stereo file to ensure that the songs appear cohesively whole on an album.

Did we confuse you? Allow us to simplify. When you hear great sound in a movie, you don't actually notice it, but when the sound in the movie is bad, you can't help but notice only the sound and not the movie. Giving you good sound either in a movie, a song or any other kind of music production is the work of an audio mixer and master.

Now that you have a rough idea about mixing and mastering, you must be thinking if these skills can help you land a good job in the music industry. The answer is yes, they can! But to be able to make a career in either mixing or mastering audio, you must have some non-negotiable components in your life. Some of them are:

1. Gain The Required Technical Expertise

You may go for a degree in sound engineering. The next thing to do is to get on a set to gain enough experience either as an assistant engineer or recording engineer. Ask relevant questions from the mixing and mastering crew.

Spend some years learning, practicing, and getting better at the overall technical aspect of the job. This is how you can make a successful career in audio mixing and mastering.

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2. Make Good Contacts

In addition to having great skills, you are also required to make relevant contacts in the industry to get work. We suggest that you work on a freelance basis as much as you can to learn through experience. This also helps you make important connections in the industry that may come in handy later.

Show up at events and workshops that are attended by important people from the same industry. You not only learn new things but also communicate with your peers who can help you explore new opportunities.

3. Have A Passion For Mixing Or Mastering

You cannot succeed in any job if you are not passionate about it. We are not suggesting that you spend days inside your recording studio but you need to be passionate enough to not leave a career in bad times. Stick to a few years of struggle to find the job of your dreams. After all, nothing is possible without hard work!

To Sum It Up

Want to know more about audio mixing and mastering? Strawberry Hill Music is hosting a free live Q and A session called “Ask Austin Audio.”

This session includes audio mixing and mastering topics and will be held online on the first Tuesday of each month from 5:00 PM PT to 6:00 PM PT. Participate for free and learn some audio mixing and mastering concepts from an industry expert.