I didn’t start out as a professional mixing and mastering engineer. My career began in marketing. Music was always a passion, but when it came to paying rent, it didn’t pay the bills, so it had to take a backseat. Fast forward to today: I’m in my mid (okay, late) 30s, and I’ve been working as an independent professional mixing and mastering engineer for seven years. It’s been a journey of earning a living and learning a lot along the way.
I don’t claim to be the best in the world at what I do, but I’ve definitely picked up some lessons that might be useful to you too!
It’s Never Too Late
When I started my career, I envied people who worked in music. But here’s the thing: most of my friends in the music industry were still living with their parents, while I had my own place. I’m not saying one path is better than the other—there’s no single “right” route to take. You can change careers. You can fake it till you make it. You have something of value to offer, no matter your experience level.
I’m a big believer that switching careers later in life can actually be an advantage. You bring a fresh perspective and objectivity that people who’ve been in the field their whole lives might not have.
Be Nice
When I was a younger musician, I often felt intimidated by engineers. Their knowledge and experience (and the fact that they’d worked with much better musicians than me!) made me feel like I wasn’t good enough. It wasn’t their fault, but I still remember how that felt.
Now, I make a conscious effort to just be nice. I genuinely love chatting with musicians and artists, no matter their style or skill level. You can be the most talented engineer in the world, but if you’re an arsehole, you probably won’t get much work.
It’s All in the Ears
One of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is that it’s not about how much gear you have—it’s about how good your ears are. You could have the most expensive equipment in the world, but if you don’t know how to use it, it won’t do you much good. And that brings me to my next point…
Filter Out the “Noise”
For anyone starting out or trying to learn more about mixing and mastering, it’s both an amazing and overwhelming time. There’s a ton of information out there — video tutorials, gear reviews, forums — but not all of it is helpful. One engineer might say, “You must always do X on your master,” while another says, “Never do X on your master!” And don’t get me started on the endless stream of “must-have” plugins!
It’s tough. There are some basic principles in mixing and mastering, but so much of it is subjective. For me, the turning point was when I became confident in my own knowledge. I learnt to take advice when it made sense but also trust my instincts and ignore the noise.
Mastering Is Often Mixing
The role of a mastering engineer has evolved. These days, mastering often involves mix consulting too. A mastering engineer might provide feedback on mixes, suggesting tweaks and changes before the mastering process begins.
With experience working on hundreds of tracks across different styles, a mastering engineer can instantly and objectively spot issues — like a bass guitar that’s too loud or vocals that are too quiet. This is especially helpful if you’ve spent hundreds of hours mixing your own track and lost perspective.
I hope these insights resonate with you, whether you’re just starting out or you’ve been in the game for a while. The journey is never linear, but it’s always worth it.