The SonicScoop Podcast | Music Production, Audio Engineering, and The Business of Music

Have you ever tried "Mix Matching" or "Master Mimicking"? Justin Colletti says they are among the best ways to quickly and radically improve your audio chops. But there are good and bad ways to do it. Find out more. ►See free audio tutorial videos with Justin here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3yghKGBjggTkBYyc-1_larMT6K4rGwmr ►Get Mixing Breakthroughs here: https://mixingbreakthroughs.com ►Get Mastering Demystified here: https://MasteringDemystified.com ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gEpIPfGsScZPowycksAY5

Frequency analyzers can be a useful tool. But they can also lead you down the wrong path, encouraging you to fix "problems' that aren't really there. What's the best way to use them in your mixes and masters? Justin Colletti offers three key approaches to using them productively so they don't encourage you to turn your music into bland mush. ►See free audio tutorial videos with Justin here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3yghKGBjggTkBYyc-1_larMT6K4rGwmr ►Get Mixing Breakthroughs here: https://mixingbreakthroughs.com ►Get Mastering Demystified here: https://MasteringDemystified.com ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gEpIPfGsScZPowycksAY5

Producer Hyperbits has a seemingly controversial take on the quality vs. quantity debate. But the more you think about it, the more his advice makes sense. Hyperbits (aka Serik Slobodskoy), is a producer and artist who has had more than 50 million streams of his music, and now teaches others the craft in the Hyperbits Masterclass. He and Justin Colletti talk about how to improve your chops and your results in music production, composition, sound design and more. For Serik's free toolkit for musicians and producers for SonicScoop listeners just click here: https://bit.ly/HyperbitsScoopVIP

Jack Endino has worked with Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, L7, Mudhoney and so many of the biggest bands in the Seattle Grunge scene. This week, he releases his latest solo album "Light Myself on Fire". He talks to Justin Colletti about his approach to recording, mixing and mastering in details. Check out his new full-length album here: http://capacitorrecords.com/jackendino

Hi Res Audio isn't all it's cracked up to be. That's what all the blind listening tests seem to indicate anyway. But when Justin Colletti says this, he gets pushback from some people. What are their arguments and what does he have to say about them? In this episode Justin talks about super high resolution audio, like 24/192k, 24/96, and consumer formats including 320kbps and 256kbps mp3, 16/44.1k WAV files and more, and the most common arguments for and against each. ►Get Mixing Breakthroughs here: https://mixingbreakthroughs.com ►Get Mastering Demystified here: https://MasteringDemystified.com ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits

Should you compress, EQ or limit your mix bus? And if so, HOW? Here are the Pros and Cons of mix bus processing from Justin Colletti. ►See free audio tutorial videos with Justin here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3yghKGBjggTkBYyc-1_larMT6K4rGwmr ►Get Mixing Breakthroughs here: https://mixingbreakthroughs.com ►Get Mastering Demystified here: https://MasteringDemystified.com ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gEpIPfGsScZPowycksAY5

Want a clear path to making money with your music? Today's guest, Tommy Zee, offers one proven way to earn a real living in music production: Making music for brands. Major brands spend countless billions each year on marketing and advertising. And music is a big part of that. Join Justin Colletti and Tommy Zee as they talk about how this side of the music business works. Like what you hear? Try Tommy's FREE training here. Or, to get $500 off the full course, enter the code Justin500 at checkout HERE.

There's plenty of advice out there on gain staging. But what IS gain staging, and why should you care? Justin Colletti goes deep on the fundamentals of gain staging to help you improve your workflow—and your sounds—in the studio. ►See free audio tutorial videos with Justin here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3yghKGBjggTkBYyc-1_larMT6K4rGwmr ►Get Mixing Breakthroughs here: https://mixingbreakthroughs.com ►Get Mastering Demystified here: https://MasteringDemystified.com ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest Originally Episode 145 on Nov 6th or 15th

Studio gear is important. Without it you can't make music. But how important, exactly, is the quality of that gear? What really makes a difference and what's snake oil? Justin Colletti shares some stories to help make sense of how much our gear really matters... and sometimes doesn't. ►Get Mixing Breakthroughs here: https://mixingbreakthroughs.com ►Get Mastering Demystified here: https://MasteringDemystified.com ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gEpIPfGsScZPowycksAY5

Wouldn't it be amazing if you could release your music out into the world and have it find its audience instantly? Unfortunately, it doesn't work that way. Making music—even really, really good music—simply sin't enough to have potential listeners and fans find you. What ELSE are you offering them, asks Justin Colletti in this week's podcast episode. For more on this subject, try Justin's video "How to Get Your Music Heard (By Actual People)": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38_CtSfrhFA See free audio tutorial videos with Justin here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3yghKGBjggTkBYyc-1_larMT6K4rGwmr ►Get Mixing Breakthroughs here: https://mixingbreakthroughs.com ►Get Mastering Demystified here: https://MasteringDemystified.com ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gEpIPfGsScZPowycksAY5

During mastering, you sometimes have to fit very different sounding productions onto the same record. Some songs might have been recorded with a full rock band, some might have a more EDM or electronic treatment, while others might be acoustic or have a hip hop feel. How should a mastering engineer make such a disparate and eclectic selection of songs fit all together on one album? Justin Colletti shares his process and best practices. See free audio tutorial videos with Justin here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3yghKGBjggTkBYyc-1_larMT6K4rGwmr ►Get Mixing Breakthroughs here: https://mixingbreakthroughs.com ►Get Mastering Demystified here: https://MasteringDemystified.com ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gEpIPfGsScZPowycksAY5 #musicmastering #masteringengineer #musicproduction #audioengineer #musicproducer #musicmixing #audioengineer #musicproducer #audiomixing #mixingengineer #JustinColletti #SonicScoop

Want your mixes to sound HUGE? Or, want a specific instrument to sound huge? Whether you want huge drums, vocals, guitar, or anything else, there are some core principles and secret techniques that will get you there. See free audio tutorial videos with Justin here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3yghKGBjggTkBYyc-1_larMT6K4rGwmr ►Get Mixing Breakthroughs here: https://mixingbreakthroughs.com ►Get Mastering Demystified here: https://MasteringDemystified.com ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gEpIPfGsScZPowycksAY5

Kick drum and bass are two of the most important elements in any mix. If they don't sit right, the whole mix doesn't sit right. So what can you do to ensure they have maximum impact when mixing or producing? Justin Colletti shares the most important frequency ranges to know for EQing kick and bass, and for getting the to sit right in the mix. ►See free audio tutorial videos with Justin here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3yghKGBjggTkBYyc-1_larMT6K4rGwmr ►Get Mixing Breakthroughs here: https://miingbreakthroughs.com ►Get Mastering Demystified here: https://Mastering Demystified.com ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest

Good mixing is important. Sure. We all know that. But so many new mixers try to fix issues that would be much better solved by spending a little more time and attention in editing your tracks. Here's what to listen for. ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gEpIPfGsScZPowycksAY5

You're on 8 plugins deep on the vocal track of "Mix 8 Final FINAL Rev3". But is it BETTER? Or just different? Here's how to decide and how to keep perspective in the studio. ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gEpIPfGsScZPowycksAY5

Justin Colletti gives his picks for the most overrated studio gear for recording, mixing and mastering, as well as the most underrated studio tools. ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690

Justin Colletti reveals the secret science of stacking compressors in the mix in the latest episode of the SonicScoop podcast. Learn how to set attack, release, ratio and more in layered compression and limiting.

Justin Colletti offers his tips on how to use parallel compression and processing on practically everything, from drums to bass to vocals, pianos, 808, mix bus and more.

Justin Colletti shares his key insights from a masterclass from music producer and electronic artist TAETRO, who recently appeared at MixCon 2021. See the full presentation here: https://youtu.be/EitAlJLoHFs Big thanks to Bandlab for helping make that video free to the public. Check out their totally free DAW at https://bandlab.com See more from Taetro at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNRFvq0JOm5VqHIBDDQgkMA Enter the MixCon Mega Giveaway at https://sonicscoop.com/micongiveaway ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0gEpIPfGsScZPowycksAY5

Justin Colletti gives a recap of the extremely detailed, 2 hour long mixing masterclass from Brian Vibberts at MixCon 2021. Check out the full masterclass here: https://youtu.be/1t6LwP56-60

Justin Colletti offers his top 3 takeaways from Jake Jackson and Christian Henson's Mixing Masterclass at MixCon 2021.

Justin Colletti shares his key takeaways from Koen Heldens' 2021 MixCon masterclass. Check out Koen's full masterclass here: https://youtu.be/WHfTwWVt5CY

Justin Colletti shares his top 3 takeaways from Tom Holkenborg (AKA Junkie XL)'s MixCon Masterclass.

Justin Colletti shares his top 3 insights from Quentin "Q" Gilkey's recent MiCon presentation. See the full mix walkthrough here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qVkcb1P6Q8k

Is it really better to cut than to boost? Is phase shift from EQ really a problem? Justin Colletti answers all these common EQ questions and more.

Chances are that unless you're an in-demand mixer at the top of your craft, you're not using enough automation in you mixes. Great automation is not just optional. It's required for mix balances that work throughout the entire song, and enhance the emotional impact of the whole production. But it's not just levels that can and should be automated. It's pans, EQs and effects too. Discover some of the most commonly neglected instruments you'll want to start doing level rides on right away, and some special automation tricks for both mixing and mastering. Thanks to Soundtoys, Fab Filter and JZ microphones for sponsoring this episode. Remember to subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube, Google Play, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Many try and few succeed at having sustainable careers in music. It can even be hard to keep it going as a fulfilling hobby, without the right mindset. To stay in the game and keep moving in the right direction, you need lots of little victories leading up to the big ones. Justin Colletti explores.

Dialing in your effects before you even start your mix may seem "backwards" to some. But it's actually the way a lot of the best mixers work. Surprising? Here's the how, the why and the best practices.

Getting a wide, immersive stereo soundscape is one of the key features of mixes that sound impressive and hi-fi. But how to do it? Justin Colletti shares so key ideas on how to get your mixes to sound wider—with as much width and left to right spread as your favorite commercial releases.

As audio professionals, we need to trust our ears. But can we? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Justin Colletti shares what we can do to help us trust what we hear.

Is the demo dead in the age of the DAW? Never! This week, Justin Colletti shares why pre-production is still crucially important for music releases that make a dent in the universe.

Should you mix your own music? Probably not, in many cases. But if you're committed to doing so, here are some of the keys to really making it work.

These days, top mixers don't always mix from scratch. And they don't always try to reinvent the mix either. Here's a more modern high-level approach for better mixes.

It's been said that talking about music or sound is like dancing about architecture. We often use words to describe what we're hearing without having any luck at getting our point across. Is there a better way? Justin Colletti says "yes". Here are some better words and ideas for talking about sound. Even with the non-technically minded. ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mastering101 ►Get the free mixing workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/MixHabits ►Win free stuff at https://sonicscoop.com/contest ►Subscribe to the podcast or leave a rating and review here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sonicscoop-podcast/id1448330690 For the original article that inspired the video, try here: https://sonicscoop.com/2011/08/25/dancing-about-architecture-a-dictionary-of-audio-terms/?singlepage=1 #audioengineer #musicproducer #mixing #musicproduction

In this episode, Justin Colletti tries to talk you out of all your hopes and dreams of being an audio engineer or music producer. He hopes he succeeds! (Really but not really.)

Is there any point to super high resolution audio? Probably not. Here's why.

Mix revisions can be a real pain. Or, they can be the best thing to happen to your mix. How can you make them less frequent, more seamless and more productive? Justin Colletti gives you all the secrets.

Dithering Demystified! Is Dither as important as it's made out to be? What effect does it have on your audio? When should you do it? And which kind is best? Justin Colletti explores.

How, why, when and where should you use sidechain dynamics processing? Justin Colletti gives you the overview of all the principles and common applications.

Does saturation have a place in mastering or on the mix bus? Absolutely says Justin Colletti. It can increase depth, density and perception of detail, and used properly, can help give you a louder, more pleasant sounding master. Here are some ideas on how to use it in your work.

What's holding your mix back? Justin Colletti shares his picks for the 6 most common mix issues, and how to overcome them in your own mixes.

Is there a better way to EQ? Justin Colletti thinks so. This easy to implement approach beats aimlessly sweeping through your EQ any day of the week. You can get better sounds with this simple 3-step trick immediately....and take a lifetime to master all the potential it has to offer.

Justin Colletti offers one big tip to dramatically improve your masters and your mixes. And it has to do with not just where, but WHEN you put in your limiter.

How much should you charge for a mix? How much should you expect to pay for a mix? How about mastering work—how much should that cost? Justin Colletti explores.

Passion! Should you follow it into a career in music or audio? Or should you play it safe? Justin Colletti gives his take.

What exactly is that "ratio" control on your compressor, and how should you use it? When do you want to use a low ratio, and when should you use a higher one? Justin Colletti gives you the best practices.

Should you be running your effects in pre-fader or post-fader mode? Are there reasons to do one over the other? How about putting your effects right on the inserts? Justin Colletti gives you the best practices.

What kinds of files should you be sending to your mastering engineer? Should you be leaving your buss processing on or off? How loud should your mixes be. Justin Colletti answers all this and more in today's episode.

When it comes to your work in the studio or in music, do you approach it like a job, or like a business? What's the difference? And why can treating your work like a business, rather than a "job" be both more fun and more fruitful? Justin Colletti dives deep.

If you don't have an audience already, releasing a full length album can be a confusing and downright depressing experience. There's a better way. Justin Colletti offers a better release strategy, more suited for the 21st century.