When your mix is finished, it can feel like the hard work is done — but before you send it off for mastering, there are a few vital steps that can make or break the final sound. Preparing your mix properly not only ensures the mastering engineer can do their best work, but it can also save you time, revisions, and money in the process.
At Moreish Studios in Melbourne, we’ve seen every type of mix walk through the door — from perfectly balanced, ready-to-go projects to sessions that need a few crucial tweaks before they can be mastered. Here’s how to get your mix into the best shape possible before that final stage.
1. Don’t Rush the Mix – It’s the Foundation
Before even thinking about mastering, make sure your mix is truly finished. Mastering can enhance what’s there — but it can’t fix fundamental balance issues.
Ask yourself:
- Are the vocals sitting naturally in the mix?
- Is there enough clarity between instruments?
- Does the low end feel controlled but full?
- Are there any harsh frequencies or distortion?
If you’re unsure, take a short break from the song and come back with fresh ears. Sometimes a small EQ or volume adjustment can make a world of difference. It’s also worth testing your mix on different speakers and headphones to make sure it translates well outside the studio.
2. Leave Plenty of Headroom
One of the biggest mistakes artists make is sending in a mix that’s too loud. When your track is “brick-walled” — meaning limited to the point of distortion — the mastering engineer has less room to work dynamically.
A good rule of thumb: leave at least -6dB of headroom on your mix’s master output. This gives the mastering engineer the freedom to adjust EQ, compression, and limiting without distortion.
Avoid putting limiters, maximizers, or final loudness plugins on your master bus unless specifically requested. If you want to show what you’re aiming for, you can include a “reference mix” with your preferred loudness and tone — just make sure the unprocessed version is what you send for mastering.
For more technical advice on mastering preparation, check out this guide from Splice.
3. Export in the Right Format
It’s important that your mix maintains full audio quality from your DAW to the mastering studio. Always export your final mix in:
- WAV or AIFF format (never MP3)
- 24-bit or 32-bit depth
- Sample rate matching your session (44.1kHz, 48kHz, etc.)
Make sure no effects or plugins are accidentally left on the master bus that alter the tone — unless they are part of your creative intention.
File naming is also crucial. Label your files clearly, for example: ArtistName_SongTitle_Mix_v3_24bit.wav. It helps avoid confusion when revisions happen.
4. Clean Up Noise and Silence
Mastering can amplify everything — including noise you didn’t intend to keep. Before you export, do a final pass to check for clicks, hums, or unnecessary silence at the start and end of your track.
Fade in and out naturally where needed, but don’t trim too tight — leave a little room for mastering fades. This keeps transitions smooth and avoids unwanted pops at the start or end.
If you’re working with multiple songs, ensure each one begins and ends cleanly and consistently so your mastering engineer can create even spacing and flow across the project.
5. Keep Reference Tracks Handy
A reference track is a professionally mastered song that represents the sound or feel you’re aiming for. Providing this helps your mastering engineer understand your sonic target — whether that’s warm and vintage, modern and punchy, or something else entirely.
When you send a reference, make it clear what you like about it — for example:
- The brightness of the vocals
- The punch of the drums
- The space and width in the mix
References don’t need to match your genre exactly — they’re simply tools for communication. Engineers at Moreish Studios often use reference tracks to align expectations early and avoid unnecessary revisions later.
6. Communicate Your Vision Clearly
Mastering isn’t just technical — it’s artistic. Let your engineer know:
- What platforms your song is heading to (Spotify, YouTube, vinyl, etc.)
- Whether you’re after a loud, modern master or a more dynamic, natural sound
- If it’s part of an EP or album that needs consistency across multiple tracks
A clear vision helps the engineer tailor their processing for your goals, saving time and potentially money on revisions or re-masters.
7. Check for Phase and Mono Compatibility
Stereo width can add life to your mix, but excessive widening or phase issues can cause problems when your track is played on mono systems (like clubs, radios, or phones).
Before exporting, use your DAW’s mono button to check that your mix doesn’t lose vital elements. This simple step ensures your song remains strong and balanced on all playback systems — a must for professional mastering.
8. Organise Your Mix Sessions (and Backups)
Before handing off your mix, keep your session organised and well-documented. If your mastering engineer needs stems or mix adjustments later, this will save hours of confusion.
You should always back up:
- The final mix version
- Session files
- Plugin presets and notes
9. Budget and Time Considerations
Preparation isn’t just about sound — it’s also about smart budgeting. At Moreish Studios, we often advise clients that a well-prepared mix can cut mastering time (and cost) by up to 30%.
For example:
- Unprepared mix: requires feedback, fixes, and multiple revisions.
- Well-prepared mix: ready to master in one pass, saving both time and money.
Mastering typically costs $80–$200 per song, depending on complexity and requirements. The cleaner your mix, the fewer revisions — meaning you get better value and a faster turnaround.
10. Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Sending MP3s or compressed files
- Applying heavy limiting or stereo widening
- Forgetting to name or organise versions
- Not leaving enough headroom
- Sending multiple mix versions without noting differences
Final Thoughts
Mastering is the last chance to make your track shine — but its success depends on what you hand over. A carefully prepared mix lets your mastering engineer focus on enhancing your sound instead of fixing preventable issues.
By following these steps, you’re not only improving your final result — you’re also saving time and money in the process.
If you’re ready to master your next release, reach out to Moreish Studios in Melbourne. Our engineers work closely with artists to deliver dynamic, polished masters tailored for streaming, radio, and beyond.
External Resources:
Mastering The Mix: The Ultimate Guide For Preparing For Mastering