Choosing a mixing engineer can make or break a release. A great mix doesn’t just sound “clean” — it makes the song feel finished, emotionally clear, and competitive next to professional releases.

The challenge is that “good mixing” isn’t one universal sound. The right mixing engineer for you is the one who understands your genre, your references, and your priorities — and can deliver a mix that translates everywhere.

Here’s how to make the choice confidently.

 
Mixing Engineer
 

What a Mixing Engineer Actually Does

A mixing engineer’s job isn’t to “fix” a song — it’s to present it in the best possible light.

That usually means:

  • Balancing levels so the song feels intentional
  • Carving space so elements don’t mask each other
  • Shaping tone and dynamics so the track hits emotionally
  • Creating depth and width without washing things out
  • Making sure the mix translates across phones, cars, headphones, and speakers

A professional mix should sound consistent and controlled — not like it only works on one system.

 

Do You Need a Mixing Engineer, or Should You DIY?

DIY mixing is a great skill to learn, but it’s also one of the easiest places to lose time — and perspective.

Hiring a mixing engineer makes sense when:

  • You’re releasing music publicly and want it to compete
  • You want faster results and fewer revisions
  • You don’t trust your listening environment or monitoring
  • Your song has dense layers or complex low-end
  • You want a consistent sound across multiple tracks (EP/album)

Even artists who mix their own demos often use a professional for final releases — simply because fresh ears and accurate monitoring change everything.

 

How to Choose the Right Mixing Engineer

 

1. Start With Their Portfolio — But Listen the Right Way

Most people listen for “polish.” A better test is to listen for control and translation.

When you audition an engineer’s work, ask:

  • Can you hear the vocal clearly at any volume?
  • Is the low end tight, not boomy or thin?
  • Do the drums feel intentional and stable?
  • Does the mix have space, or does it feel crowded?
  • Does the mix still work quietly?

Also: make sure you’re listening on more than one system. A mix that only sounds good in headphones isn’t a reliable mix.

 

2. Choose Someone Who Mixes Your Genre

Mixing is contextual. What works for modern pop might ruin a punk record. What makes a hip-hop vocal feel expensive could make an indie track feel unnatural.

A good engineer won’t force your music into their personal template. They’ll understand what the genre expects — and when it’s worth breaking those expectations.

 

3. Communication and Personality Matter More Than People Admit

Mixing is collaborative. Even the best engineer can’t read minds.

You want someone who:

  • Asks good questions early
  • Welcomes references and direction
  • Can explain decisions without ego
  • Handles revisions professionally and efficiently

If you feel uncomfortable giving feedback, the process will suffer — and you’ll likely end up settling for a mix you don’t love.

 

4. Ask About Workflow, Revisions, and Deliverables

This is where a lot of artists get caught out.

Before you commit, clarify:

  • How many revisions are included?
  • What’s the typical turnaround time?
  • Will they deliver instrumental / acapella / TV mix versions?
  • Do you get stems if needed?
  • How do they want files prepared?

A professional workflow protects you from surprises. It also saves time, which saves money.

 

5. A Great Mix Starts With Great Prep

One of the biggest differences between a smooth professional experience and a messy one is how well the session is prepared.

Before sending your session, make sure:

  • Tracks are properly labelled
  • Rough mix and reference tracks are included
  • Vocal comps are final (unless comping is part of the mix agreement)
  • Timing/tuning decisions are handled (or clearly discussed)
  • Unused tracks are removed or muted

The cleaner the session, the faster the mix process — and the better the result.

 

6. Consider Where They’re Mixing

This matters more than most people realise.

Mixing decisions are only as good as what the engineer can actually hear. If someone is mixing in an untreated room with inaccurate monitoring, they may compensate in ways that don’t translate to the real world.

A professional mixing environment — the kind you’d expect from a high-end studio — supports:

  • Reliable low-end decisions
  • Accurate vocal placement
  • Controlled brightness and harshness
  • Faster decision-making and fewer revisions

This is one reason professional mixes often “just work” everywhere.

For a deeper look at why mixes can fall apart across different playback systems, Sound On Sound has a great overview of mix translation and monitoring:

Sound On Sound: Making Mixes Translate

 

Local vs Online Mixing

Online mixing can be great when the engineer is experienced and the communication is clear. Local mixing can be even better when it gives you:

  • Faster back-and-forth
  • Stronger creative alignment
  • Ongoing relationships across multiple releases
  • Access to additional services if needed (editing, production, mastering)

If you’re working in Melbourne, a strong local relationship can become a long-term advantage — especially if you’re building a consistent sound over time.

 

Final Thought

The right mixing engineer doesn’t just make your song sound better — they make it sound finished. They help you translate your intent into a mix that connects, competes, and holds up across every playback system.

At Moreish Studios, we approach mixing as part of the full release chain — built for reliability, speed, and musical outcomes. If you want a mix that translates to streaming, broadcast, vinyl, and real-world listening, we can help.

Learn more about our Mixing service, or get in touch to chat about your project.

 

Further Reading