Audio mixing basics
Every great mix starts with a solid foundation. From balancing levels and shaping frequencies to controlling dynamics and creating space, understanding the basics of audio mixing helps you make better creative decisions. Explore our collection of mixing tutorials, practical tips and essential techniques to develop your skills, improve your workflow and bring your tracks together into a cohesive mix.
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Working on a drum loop with smart:gate
Learn how to to separate a kick from a snare with our content-aware smart:gate plug-in.
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Why do we compress busses and groups?
Learn all about the advantages of applying effects to multiple audio tracks simultaneously.
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When to use Spectral Compression
Understand the dynamic processing technology and how it can elevate your mixing and mastering projects.
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When Reverb Meets Compression
Level up your mixing arsenal with these five ways to combine two processors that are usually kept quite separate.
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What is Tonal Balance?
Learn how and why to balance your music across the frequency spectrum by analyzing tonal balance of different music genres and characteristics.
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What is ARA and how can it Help You Make Better Music?
Discover how ARA technology works and what advantages it has.
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Top 3 Applications of Mid/Side EQ
Three ways to make use of mid/side equalization in your audio production.
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Top 3 Applications of Mid/Side Compression
Level up your production by mastering this dynamics processing technique in three important contexts.
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The Problems with Audio Gating
Here we discuss the limitations of traditional noise or audio gating, and how the AI powered smart:gate can solve these problems.
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The power of spectral ducking
To combine tracks smoothly often requires creating space in critical spots. That's what the spectral ducking feature of smart:comp is designed for.
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The importance of dynamics
Loudness is a much-discussed topic in the world of audio production. But what about dynamics? We tell you why they need much more attention.
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Techniques for EQing Reverb
You know how to EQ, you know how to add reverb… but have you learnt how to combine EQ and reverb effectively?
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Spectral processing in smart:comp 2
Spectral compression is a technology by sonible that once you've tried it, you wouldn't want to go without it.
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Spectral Balance: Then vs Now
How has the tonal profile of music changed since 1960? With true:balance, we can give you a visual insight into the history of spectral balance.
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Spectral balance and spectral mixing
Spectral balance ... many of you probably have heard of it and some of you are busy striving for it. We shed some light on spectral balance and spectral mixing.
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smart:gate User Guide
Get started with our content-aware plug-in smart:gate and learn how simple gating can be.
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smart:EQ 4’s reference track feature
You want to replicate a certain sound – be it warm vocals or an entire mix? smart:EQ 4 has got you covered with its reference track feature.
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smart:comp 3 User Guide
Check out all the awesome features of smart:comp 3 and make compression a natural part of your creative workflow.
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smart:comp 2’s free-form transfer function
The free-form transfer function is a marvel for all of you who want to go for sophisticated compression goals. We show you what you can achieve with this feature.
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smart:comp 2 User Guide
There is a lot to discover in this exceptionally versatile go-to compressor. Check out the smart:comp 2 User Guide to make sure you don’t miss any of our tutorials.
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Six Ways to Use a Limiter
Learn more about how to integrate limiters into your audio workflow – beyond the most obvious mastering and ‘maximizing’ options.
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Should you put reverb on bass frequencies?
Let’s finally answer the question that has plagued philosophers for centuries, in the light of modern music production technology.
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Reverb: components and considerations
When we add the reverb we need to bring together technical aspects and affective intentions. Learn more about reverb components and things you should keep an eye on.
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Reverb in audio and music production – some insights
Reverb(eration) is an important aspect of room acoustics and audio production. In this article we will explain what reverb is and discuss its role in audio.
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pure:bundle User Guide
Get started with the pure:bundle and learn how to speed up your workflow using pure:EQ, pure:deess, pure:unmask, pure:comp, pure:verb and pure:limit.
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Pro Vocal Compression, Dynamics and Balance – Step by Step
Listen as we take a vocal channel from basic recording to professional standard, and explain the process as we move through every step.
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Polish up a trap track with sonible’s pure:bundle
Learn more about how you can easily polish up a trap track with sonible's pure:bundle.
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New Methods for Creating Depth Across a Mix: 4 Examples with smart:reverb 2
Discover new ways to add depth to your mix using smart:reverb 2 and its innovative mechanics like the Distance control.
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Make your rock track cut through the noise
Find out how you can use the pure:bundle to make your rock track cut through the noise by pushing just a few buttons and controls.
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Make your EDM track sound rock solid in no time
Check out how sonible’s AI-powered pure:bundle can help you to make your EDM track sound rock solid in no time at all.
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learn:bundle User Guide
We've prepared some tutorials feat. the learn:bundle to make sure that the start of your mixing journey is as smooth as can be.
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Improve your studio acoustics: How to deal with room modes
Room modes distort the acoustics of both your control room and your recording room, especially in the low frequency range. Here's how to deal with them.
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How to Set up a Sidechain Signal in All Major DAWs
For correct usage, pure:unmask and learn:unmask need a sidechain routing to be set up – we explain how it is done.
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Compression vs Limiting – What’s the difference, when to use them, and why?
Take a deep dive into the world of dynamics and learn to tell these two devices apart, in theory and in practice.
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Compression Character Explained
Where does the elusive mojo, vibe and feel of a compressor stem from, and how can you choose the right tool for the job every time?
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Breaking the Reverb Mold: How smart:reverb 2 differs from common reverbs
Discover how smart:reverb 2 re-defines spatial mixing with perceptual controls, intelligent learning and group mode.
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Basic tips and advanced tricks: The proximity:EQ+ user guide
Check out these short tutorials for the most important functions and application areas of proximity:EQ+.
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An Introduction to Mix Bus Processing
Discover the benefits of pre-master processing on your master output, and learn seven techniques you can try on your next mix.
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16 Types of Reverb and When to Use Them
Learn about different ways reverbs are classified and what audio material each type sounds best on.
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15 Devices you Might Need in Your Vocal Chain and Why
Every vocalist is different, every producer is different, so here are the effects you’ll want to consider when mixing the perfect vocal.
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14 Tips and Techniques for Mixing Vocals – From Basic to Advanced
We’ve compiled this article to list a variety of techniques for getting a better vocal sound to help producers at all levels.
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11 smart:chains – Try These Mixing Recipes for our ‘smart’ Plug-ins Range
Got smart plug-ins? Then you’ve got options. Try out these techniques in mixing to make the best use of these intelligent devices.
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learn:bundle
Learn mixing by doing
Five AI-powered mixing plug-ins with real-time guidance for EQ, compression, limiting, reverb and unmasking. Improve your mixes while building skills.
Good Mixes start here
Master the essentials and make every track count
Our collection of audio mixing tutorials, tips and techniques covers the building blocks of a great mix. Learn how to balance track levels, use panning to create a convincing stereo image and apply equalization (EQ) to shape frequencies and give each element its own space. Discover how compression helps control dynamics, how reverb creates depth and how careful gain staging keeps your signal levels under control.
Explore common mixing challenges such as frequency masking, muddy low-end, harsh frequencies and inconsistent levels. Our articles explain essential audio processing concepts in an approachable way, helping you understand not just how different tools work, but when and why to use them.
Discover how AI-powered audio plug-ins and intelligent processing can support your mixing workflow. From automatic EQ suggestions and dynamic adjustments to mix-wide processing, learn how smart tools can provide useful starting points while leaving every creative decision in your hands.
Whether you're mixing vocals, instruments, electronic productions or full band recordings, our guides offer practical advice you can apply to your own projects. Build confidence with essential mixing techniques, develop your listening skills and discover new ways to approach your productions.
Ready to improve your mixes? Browse our mixing basics articles, explore practical tutorials and learn how to turn individual tracks into a cohesive, professional-sounding mix.