Mixing Music | Music Production, Audio Engineering, & Music Business
The Mixing Music Podcast is a guide for music producers, audio engineers, and independent artists, covering topics like recording techniques, mixing, mastering, sound design, and the music business. Hosted by professional mix engineers Dee Kei, Lu Moreno, and James Parrish, the show features industry insights and gear recommendations. The hosts have worked with major artists and labels such as Universal Music Group and Sony Music.
Episodes
How to Get More Mixing Clients by Giving More: The Go-Giver Philosophy for Audio Engineers
Two people asked Dee Kei the same question this week, one for a school project and one just out of curiosity: how do you actually get more clients? The answer he keeps coming back to, the one he's bought copies of a book to force on his own interns, is not what most people expect. Give more.The book is The Go-Giver by Bob Burg and John David Mann, 122 pages, readable in a single sitting, and s
Are Gear Clones Worth It? Expectation Bias, the McGurk Effect, and Why the Story Matters More Than the Sound
Lu brought a topic this week that sounds simple on the surface and gets complicated fast: gear clones. Are they worth it? Do they sound like the original? And does any of that actually matter?Dee and Lu start with the basic problem at the heart of every clone purchase — the marketing of a clone borrows the reputation of its predecessor to make the sale, which immediately creates an expectation the
I Tested 3 Preamps on My Own Mixes — Here's What I Actually Heard (And What It Means)
Dee borrowed some preamps this week. Not to review them — to test them. And what he found was equal parts technical and philosophical, which is exactly the kind of episode this one turned into.He walks through his methodology in detail: running mixes through an AML ez1073, a CAPI VP28, and a Kahan Solid 4000 analog hardware unit, volume matching by perceived loudness down to 0.1 dB increments, and
How to Build Real Relationships in the Music Industry — Without Networking
This one started with a DM. A listener named Solomon wrote in describing something almost every engineer has felt but rarely admits to: he'd worked intensely with an artist for a year, and the day they released a new song mixed by someone else, he felt cheated on. He knew it was childish. He said so himself. He asked how Dee and Lu deal with it.What followed was one of the longer, more wide-ra
Building a 1176 Compressor From Scratch: What I Learned From the Hairball Audio DIY Kit
Dee Kei is building a compressor. Specifically, a 1176 Rev A blueface/silverface clone from Hairball Audio in Seattle — unsponsored, bought with his own money, and not yet finished at time of recording. That last part is intentional. He wanted to talk about the build process before the result, because the process is the point.He walks through everything: what it was like to approach a kit with no
Are Audio Engineers Underpaid? What a Low Job Posting Reveals About Engineer Wages and Self-Worth
This episode almost didn't get released. Dee and Lu spent 20 to 30 minutes before recording debating whether to even touch this one. They went ahead — and it's one of the more honest, nuanced conversations the show has had about money, ego, and what engineers actually owe each other.The spark: a Facebook post from a professional musician and audio engineer who attended the same college pro
What We Taught at the Mixing Masterclass: Pricing, Compression, LUFS, and the Value of a Mix Engineer
This episode is a recap — and an expansion — of the six-hour Mixing Masterclass that Dee Kei hosted live in his LA studio. Lu was in the room. The audience brought mixes. Things got real. Now Dee and Lu bring the best of it to the podcast, including the things they didn't get to cover in person.The first and most important topic: what is the actual value of a mix engineer, and how should that
Is Analog Gear Making a Comeback? Plugin Fatigue, Hardware Resurgence, and the Future of the Studio
Fair warning: Dee Kei opens this one by saying he doesn't know if he's going to release it. Congratulations — you found it.This is a looser, more speculative episode than usual, and that's exactly the point. Dee brings a theory he's been sitting with: that the rise of AI tools and plugin saturation is quietly driving a resurgence in the value of analog gear — not because analog is
Why Talented Engineers Say No to Opportunities — Imposter Syndrome, Thinking Fast and Slow, and Career Confidence
Lu brought the topic this week — and it's one of the most universally felt things in audio that nobody talks about directly: the feeling of not belonging in the room. Not because you don't have the skill. Not because you don't have the credits. Just because the feeling is there, and most people let it make the decision for them.The episode opens with Lu sharing what he keeps hearing in
Analog Plugins vs. Hardware: What Blind Tests Actually Show — And Why Engineers Still Buy Gear Anyway
This episode starts with a confession: Dee Kei wants a new compressor. Specifically, he's been eyeing the Heritage Audio Grandchild 670N — a $3,000 stereo Fairchild-style compressor in a 5U rack unit that launched in late 2025. From there, the episode opens up into something much more interesting than a gear review.Dee and Lu walk through exactly what makes the original Fairchild 670 so mythol
Ozone Assistant, Auto-Tune, Dynamic EQ — Have We Always Been Using AI? A Solo Deep Dive
Lu's on vacation. Dee Kei is alone with a page of talking points and one of the most contested topics in audio engineering right now — and the result is one of the most thoughtful solo episodes the show has produced.This is not an episode about which AI tools Dee uses or recommends. It's about something harder to talk about: how engineers think about delegation, what happens when a probabi
What Your Personality Type Says About You as a Mix Engineer — The Big Five OCEAN Deep Dive
Before you do anything else, pause this episode and go take the Big Five personality test at https://bigfive-test.com/ — it's free, open source, and it's the entire point. Dee Kei and Lu share their results live on the show, and if you don't know your own numbers, this episode won't hit the same.The Big Five — also called the OCEAN model — is the only personality framework that psy
How to Start a Music Career From Scratch: What Dee Kei & Lu Would Do Differently
What would Dee Kei and Lu actually do if they had to start their music careers completely over today — same age, same responsibilities, but zero industry knowledge, zero connections, and zero credits? That's the question at the center of this episode, and the answers get surprisingly deep.The conversation starts practical: Lu makes the case for going straight to the top and finding the most cr
How Limiters Actually Work: Brick Wall, True Peak, Clipping, and the Naturl Audio AL-1 with Andrew Rynhard
LINK TO 20% OFF! CODE: MMPODLink and code expires 7/21/2026In this episode, Dee Kei and Lu sit down with Andrew Rynhard — mastering engineer, developer, and founder of Naturl Audio — for one of the most technical and candid limiter conversations the show has ever had. Naturl Audio's philosophy is "evolution, not emulation," and that mindset runs through every corner of this episode.The
Do Expensive Preamps Actually Matter? The Jim Lil Video, Neve vs. Scarlett, and What No One Got Right
SUBSTACK LINKIn this solo episode, Dee Kei reads and expands on his Substack essay — a thoughtful response to the now-viral Jim Lil preamp video that sent the audio engineering world into a frenzy. If you haven't seen it, Jim Lil tested a Neve 31105 against a Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 and found the audible difference between the two to be far smaller than most engineers would ever admit. The reac
The Best Computer Setup for Music Production in 2026 (Mac vs. PC, RAM, Storage Explained)
A listener-requested episode is back by popular demand! Dee Kei and Lu tackle one of the most common questions in the show's history — what computer should you actually buy for mixing, producing, recording, and video editing in 2026?They make the case for why Mac has become the default choice for anyone working in a collaborative environment, breaking down file compatibility issues, AirDrop co
My Mixing Session Routine: Start to Finish
In this solo episode, Dee Kei walks through exactly what a mixing session looks like from the moment he sits down to the moment the file goes out — no guests, no theory, just the real process he uses on every project.He covers why the very first listen always happens before a single plugin is touched, how he organizes and gain stages a session before anything else, and the order in which he builds
Why So Many Talented Engineers Stay Broke
In this solo episode, Dee Kei gets honest about something nobody in the audio world really wants to say out loud — talent is the most common thing in this industry, and it's rarely what separates the engineers who are thriving from the ones who are struggling. After years of working alongside incredibly gifted mixers who can't keep the lights on, and watching others with average ears build
How to Mix Vocals: The Mindset Pros Use Before Touching a Single Plugin
In this episode, Dee Kei breaks down how he actually thinks about mixing vocals — and it's probably not what you'd expect. Before touching a plugin, an EQ, or a compressor, the most important step is understanding the intention behind the song. Is it a club banger or an intimate bedroom record? A polished pop vocal or something raw that's supposed to feel that way? Dee explains why bli
Escaping Negativity in Music, Art, and Life
In Episode 376 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei shares a solo episode covering a wide range of topics that have been on his mind recently, from sleep and creativity to parenting, education, faith, and the psychology of pursuing music.He reflects on how sleep affects patience, decision-making, relationships, and creative work, why teaching is a completely different skill than doing, and how bal
The BEST Ways to Get Mixing Clients in 2026
In Episode 375 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and James break down a tier list for client acquisition in the music industry, inspired by a video from Panorama Mixing and Mastering. They discuss what actually works for getting mixing and production clients, what sounds good in theory but rarely converts, and why repeat clients and word of mouth still dominate almost everything else.The conver
Moving Announcement!
Hey Y'all. It's Dee Kei.Sorry for the lazy announcment episode with no real content. I'm moving and stressed out. I just want to knock this out and it's eating all my time. I'll be back with regular content next week. Thank you for your patience!Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
The Real Difference Between Amateur and Pro Mix Engineers ft. Austin Seltzer
In Episode 373 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei sits down with multi-platinum mixer Austin Seltzer to talk about the real-world habits that separate professional mixers from amateurs.They dive into major label workflows, quality control, revision culture, stem prep, client communication, pricing, managers, points, mixing for indie artists vs major artists, and why sending a mix too early can h
How to Build Confidence as a Mix Engineer
In Episode 372 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu talk about how mix engineers build real confidence. They break down the difference between results-based confidence, where your confidence depends on client approval, clean revisions, or a perfect session, and a deeper confidence built through preparation, experience, systems, and consistency.The conversation covers revision notes, rejecte
Rediscovering the Fun of Mixing: Gear, Growth, and Getting Curious Again
In Episode 371 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu have a more relaxed, reflective conversation about life, creativity, and staying inspired in audio. Dee Kei talks about moving through different phases as an engineer, from early excitement, to getting lost in technical details, to eventually trying to reconnect the emotional side of music with a deeper technical curiosity.They discuss gea
True or False for Audio Engineers Part 2: Mixing, Mastering, and Music Career Myths
In Episode 370 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu continue their true-or-false format and dig into even more of the beliefs, myths, and gray areas that shape music production and audio careers. This round covers everything from whether you should mix and master your own music, to whether analog gear is really better, whether Pro Tools still matters, and whether networking outweighs skill.
True or False for Audio Engineers: Mixing, Streaming, LA, and Music Careers
In Episode 369 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu take a true-or-false format and use it to unpack some of the biggest myths and half-truths in music, mixing, and the audio industry. What starts with a Discord question about whether clients should ever receive a mix you are not proud of turns into a bigger conversation about taste, service, flexibility, and what great engineers actually d
Can You Make It in Music and Be Present at Home? | The Myth of Perfect Work-Life Balance for Creatives
In Episode 368 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu tackle a question that comes up constantly: how do you maintain work-life balance while building a serious music career, especially with a spouse, kids, and the uncertainty that comes with creative work?With Dee Kei preparing for the birth of his third child, the conversation becomes a personal one. He breaks down the biggest misconception
25 Audio Myths Busted: Recording, Mixing, Mastering, and Industry Truths
In Episode 367 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Lu holds it down solo while Dee Kei takes time with his growing family, and uses the episode to demystify some of the most common myths in audio. He moves through recording, mixing, mastering, and broader industry misconceptions, tackling topics like expensive gear, recording levels, fixing things in the mix, room acoustics, clipping, plugin counts, refe
The First 5 Years in Audio: What It Really Takes to Build a Music Career
In Episode 366 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu talk about what the first five years of an audio career really look like. From saying yes to everything, trying different lanes, and learning on the fly, to dealing with low pay, long hours, self-doubt, burnout, and the pressure to figure things out, this episode is a realistic look at the early stage of building a life in music.They break
Grammy-Nominated Atmos Mixer Explains Immersive Mixing
In Episode 365 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and James sit down with mixing engineer Andrew Law to talk about immersive audio, Dolby Atmos, and how Andrew built a career around spatial mixing. He shares how his path took him from traditional recording work into TV, film, podcasting, Amazon Music, and eventually Grammy-nominated Atmos mixing.The conversation breaks down what actually makes a
Mixing Faster vs Mixing Better: The Tradeoffs Every Engineer Faces
In Episode 364 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu revisit one of the most common pieces of advice in mixing: “mix fast.” While trusting your instincts and avoiding overthinking can be powerful, the guys explore the nuance behind when slowing down actually leads to better results.They discuss the value of the “next day listen,” how fresh ears can reveal problems you missed the night before
The Sound of the Eras: 1950s to 2020s Mixing Evolution Explained
In Episode 363 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu take a deep dive into how mixing and recording have evolved from the 1950s to today. Starting with mono recordings, ribbon mics, and engineers in lab coats, they trace the journey through multitrack tape, Neve and SSL consoles, gated reverb in the 80s, the rise of Pro Tools in the 90s, the loudness wars of the 2000s, and the bedroom produc
Can You Really Hear the Difference? Blind Tests and Audio Ego
In Episode 362 of the Mixing Music Podcast, hosts Dee Kei and Lu start with a wild weekend recap that includes long work hours, live sound chaos, and a massive rally in downtown Los Angeles. Dee Kei shares how he went from one gig to another while traffic was locked up, and even ended up unintentionally marching with a protest on the way to the next event. He describes the scale of the rally setup
How to Get Better at Mixing: The Answer That Solves Itself
In Episode 361 of the Mixing Music Podcast, hosts Dee Kei and Lu start with some Super Bowl talk and quickly pivot into a bigger conversation about obsession, creativity, and what actually drives high-level engineers to improve. Dee Kei shares a recent clip he saw from a well-known mixer talking about working extreme hours early on, and how an unhealthy level of obsession can sometimes be part of
Why Your Mix Might Be Quieter Than It Should Be: Headroom, Fear, and Translation
In Episode 360 of the Mixing Music Podcast, hosts Dee Kei and Lu get technical and go deep on loudness, gain staging, and headroom. Dee Kei shares a concern he has been noticing in his own work: he may be leaving loudness on the table over the length of a full song, not just in short-term LUFS moments. They explore the balance between beauty and accessibility, and how loudness is not just a master
Making Music for Japanese Sync & Advertising: How Brands Choose Tracks and What Agencies Want
In Episode 359 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei sits down in Shibuya, Tokyo with Erik Reiff from Black Cat White Cat Music, a music agency working across advertising, film, TV series, games, and publishing. The conversation offers a rare inside look at how brands and agencies actually choose music, and what producers need to understand if they want to land real commercial placements.Erik break
Mixing Goals for 2026: Outreach, Skill Stacking, and Staying Hungry as a Pro
In Episode 358 of the Mixing Music Podcast, hosts Dee Kei and Lu do a loose “New Year, New Goals” conversation focused on real, practical upgrades for working engineers, both technical and career-related. They start with the career side: how easy it is to get comfortable when work is steady, and why that comfort can quietly turn into less outreach, fewer in-person hangs, and slower networking. The
How Drugs and Alcohol Really Affect Your Mixing Decisions
Episode 357 of the Mixing Music Podcast tackles a topic most engineers avoid saying out loud: using substances while mixing, recording, or working live sound. Prompted by a Discord listener question, Dee Kei and Lu break down caffeine, weed, alcohol, psychedelics, and harder drugs through a practical lens, not a moral one.They talk about the difference between feeling more creative versus actually
What Nobody Tells You About Running a Studio
Episode 356 is a reality check for engineers building their career and their room. DK and Lou talk about the stuff that never gets glamorized: studio aesthetics, acoustic panels, learning basic treatment principles, and measuring your space with free tools like Room EQ Wizard. They also dig into the cost of doing business, including overhead, subscriptions, consumables, and even the personal cost
Best Mixing Plugins of the Year (What We Actually Used)
Episode 355 is a fast, opinionated end-of-year plugin conversation: what DK and the crew actually used in mixing, mastering, and even live sound. They shout out specific tools, including the Goodhertz Vulf compressor and soft clipper, Purified Audio 5420, Mixland Virelia, Townhouse (SSL VCA style), Mixwave plugins, and workflow staples like FabFilter Pro-Q. They also get into Waves SuperRack style
Exclusive Archive | Tape vs Tube Saturation
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Slow Season Survival Guide for Audio Engineers
In Episode 354, the guys talk directly to the reality most creatives avoid: slow season fear, debt, no savings, and the pressure to spend during the holidays. The big mindset shift is simple: you are not a consumer, you are a producer, so make something instead of buying something. They share ideas for meaningful gifts that cost little to nothing, ways to pick up skills that help your career (cont
How to Prepare A Mix | How to Build Trust With Clients
In Episode 353, Dee Kei and Lu break down how to communicate timelines like a pro, even when you’re booked out. They talk about setting clear expectations for V1 delivery, revisions, and approvals, why daily updates can change everything, and how “underpromise and overdeliver” builds trust long term. They also warn against a common trap in mixing: thinking more plugins, more automation, or more ho
Exclusive Archive | Where Do LUFS Matter?
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There Is No Perfect Mix (And That’s the Point)
In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lū wrestle openly with one of the hardest and most misunderstood ideas in creative life: commitment. Not hustle. Not motivation. Not blind discipline — but the deeper question of why committing feels so heavy, especially in a world full of options, anxiety, and burnout.The conversation moves between mixing, relationships, career choices, and
Exclusive Archive | Mixing Around The Low End
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From Mix to “Finished Record”: Making Loudness Part of Your Sound
In this solo episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei breaks down why loudness is part of the mix, not an afterthought for mastering. He explains why you should never send clients an unlimited mix as the main reference, even if a separate mastering engineer is involved, and why your job as a mixer is to deliver something that already feels like a finished record.DK talks through how to limit w
Do It Anyway: Building a Creative Career When Nothing Is Promised
In this solo episode, Dee Kei thinks out loud about what keeps creatives going when outcomes are uncertain. He unpacks a hard truth many avoid: results are not guaranteed, and tying your identity to them creates desperation and bad decisions. Instead, build a career around love of the craft, alignment, and service to the song. Along the way, DK contrasts winning vs loving the game through Michael
Exclusive Archive | How To Mix a Remix
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The Thanksgiving Episode: Gratitude in Music and Life
n this Thanksgiving special of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lū pause to share what they’re truly grateful for — from family, friendship, and travel to growth, contentment, and the simple joy of still doing what they love. Lū reflects on a revival of his live-sound career and finding community on the road, while Dee Kei talks about fatherhood, inner peace, and gratitude for the unfamiliar
Monitors 101: Transients, Crossovers, and Real-World Translation
this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu unpack how to choose studio monitors that actually translate. Forget the brand wars. Your room, ears, and workflow matter more than price or marketing. We compare 2-way vs 3-way designs, talk crossovers and why moving them out of the midrange can change decision-making, and break down transient clarity vs perceived distortion so you can hea
Exclusive Archive | How to Dial In Smart EQ Plugins
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The Biggest Music Industry Lies We Believed (And What’s Actually True)
In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu dive deep into the mindset shifts that separate beginners from professionals. From punctuality to pricing, ego to empathy, and burnout to balance, they unpack the biggest misconceptions creatives have about the music industry — and what actually builds a sustainable career.Learn why creativity isn’t the most valuable skill, why accolades
Top 5 Vocal Mixing Mistakes and How to Fix Them
earn how to get clean, upfront, professional-sounding vocals without guesswork. In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu break down the top five vocal mixing mistakes and the exact ways to fix them. You will hear why too many narrow high-Q EQ cuts remove character, how to set attack and release for musical compression, when to use parallel compression, and why reverb and delay m
The Future of Mixing: Systems, Storytelling, and AI-Proofing Your Brand [Pt2]
In Part 2 of our conversation with business coach Michael J. Morgan, we go deeper into the mindset, systems, and emotional intelligence every creative needs to thrive in 2025 and beyond.Dee Kei and Michael talk about AI-proofing your business, why competing on price is dead, and how to build a client experience rooted in story, care, and transformation. This isn’t about hustling harder — it’s abou
Why Most Mixers Fail: Systems Over Skill with Michael J Morgan [Pt 1]
In this episode Dee Kei sits down with business coach Michael J. Morgan to unpack the 14 essentials every mix engineer needs to run a sustainable, profitable career. If your mixes are great but your calendar and bank account don’t show it, this episode is for you. Michael and DK dig into why systems beat skill, how to sell transformations not hours, and why 80% of meaningful work comes from relati
From Noob Mistakes to Pro Sessions: How Preparation Fuels Success in Mixing & Engineering
Join hosts Dee Kei and Lu on this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast as they dive into the timeless mantra: "Preparation Meets Opportunity." Kicking off with hilarious travel stories—from grueling flights to Russia with layovers in Turkey to epic childhood road trips—they quickly pivot to real-talk advice for music producers, engineers, and artists.Drawing from personal anecdotes (without
The Ultimate Guide to Producing: Mixerman on Building Songs, Not Just Sounds
In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu sit down with Eric Sarafin—better known as Mixerman, author of Zen and the Art of Mixing—to discuss his new book Mixerman’s Ultimate Guide to Producing Records, Music and Songs. We dive deep into what it really means to be a producer today, why arrangement and songwriting matter more than obsessing over plugins, and how home producers can
Exclusive Archive | Smart EQ's Demystified
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Luck, Effort, and Music Success: What’s Really in Your Control?
In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, DK and Lu dive into the psychology behind music industry success. They break down the concept of locus of control—whether you believe your career is driven by luck, external forces, or your own actions—and how this mindset shapes your growth as an audio engineer, producer, or artist.From learned helplessness to empowerment, they explore why some talente
The Most Underrated Mixing Trick: Room Reverb
Big reverbs are out, intimacy is in. In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu break down why room reverbs and short reverbs are some of the most underrated tools in modern mixing. From making vocals feel natural to giving drums the depth of a live room, room verbs can glue your mix together without drowning it in washy tails.We also dive into the shift from long Post Malone–styl
Exclusive Archive | Pultec EQ Demystified
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Analog vs. Convenience: The Real Battle in Modern Mixing
Is analog really better, or is convenience the true king in modern mixing? In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu dive deep into the ongoing debate of analog hardware vs. digital plugins — and reveal why the real competition has never been about sound quality, but about workflow efficiency and convenience.They explore the myths that analog gear automatically makes you a better
Live Sound Survival Guide: IEM Mixes, Dante, and Virtual Soundcheck
Going on tour and need a rider that actually delivers? In this solo episode, Lu breaks down how to plan, pack, and execute reliable live sound on a world tour. Learn why your tech rider is a blueprint, not a wishlist, how to prioritize monitors and IEMs so the artist always hears a clear mix, and how to design sensible substitutions and backups for real-world venues. We cover FOH and monitor workf
How to AI-Proof Your Music Career | Why I’m Not Afraid of AI (And Neither Should You Be)
Is AI going to replace mixers, producers, and engineers? In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu explain why they’re not afraid of artificial intelligence — and why you shouldn’t be either.They break down how competing on price is the fastest way to kill your career, and why the future belongs to mixers and producers who focus on brand, community, and storytelling. Instead of s
Stop the Endless Revisions: Systems That Get Your Mix Approved Faster
Learn how to cut endless revision cycles, manage client expectations, and keep projects moving smoothly without losing trust. In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lew share proven systems for reducing back-and-forth, building strong client relationships, and delivering mixes that get approved faster. From intake forms and reference tracks to strategic phone calls, Zoom sessions
The Music Industry Isn’t Evil — You’re Just Bitter: How to Stop Blaming the Industry and Start Winning
📝 Episode DescriptionIn this episode, Dee Kei and Lu get real about the biggest mindset shift you need to survive and thrive in the music industry. Spoiler: it’s not out to get you.They break down the common myths that cause people to become bitter and give up — from ideas about gatekeeping and parasitic elites to survivorship bias and luck. You’ll learn why success in music has less to do with wh
Exclusive Archive | Relationship Between Distortion and Compression
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When Better Mixes Ruin the Vibe | What We Lose with Cleaner Mixes
In this episode, Dee Kei and Lu dive into the controversial 2025 remix of Three Cheers for Sweet Revenge by My Chemical Romance. While technically cleaner and more modern, the new mixes raise a big question: What happens when you remaster or remix a nostalgic album? Do you risk losing the magic that made it timeless?This is more than just a critique of a remix — it's a deep conversation about
Exclusive Archive | Mixing Live vs Sampled Drums
JOIN OUR PATREON AND GET ACCESS TO EXCLUSIVE CONTENT: https://mixingmusicpodcast.com/exclusiveI WRITE BOOKS FOR CHILDREN: https://deekeiandkayoko.comHIRE DEE KEI: links.deekeimixes.comHIRE LU: https://soundbetter.com/profiles/1419...HIRE JAMES: https://www.jamesparrishmixes.com/Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media:Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @masteredbyluTwitter: @DeeKeiMixes @masteredbyluJoin the ‘Mix
Confidence Over Clarity: How to Talk to Clients
In this episode, Dee Kei and Lu unpack the common mistake of oversharing your process with clients — and why it can damage trust, reduce perceived value, and kill your confidence.This isn’t about keeping secrets or playing power games. It’s about curating a better experience, protecting your workflow, and communicating like a professional. From discussing mic placement and plugin chains to giving
How to Avoid Phase Issues: Mic Techniques That Work
In this episode, Dee Kei and Lu explore the art and science of stereo vs. mono recording, the dangers of over-miking, and why intentionality always beats complexity. From phase alignment to comb filtering, they break down the physics and the philosophy behind capturing big, clean, powerful sounds — using fewer tools and smarter techniques.They discuss multi-mic setups, stereo width tricks, reverb
Debunking Mixing Myths: Superstition, Ego, and Bad Advice
In this no-holds-barred episode, Dee Kei and James dive deep into the toxic myths, vague advice, and ego-driven illusions that still dominate the world of mixing and audio education. From the false promise of "secret sauce" techniques to the cult of gear and performative certainty, they break down why so many mixers cling to superstition — and how it’s holding back real growth.They also ex
How to Mix Hyperpop: Exaggerated Mixing for Maximalist Arrangements
In this episode, Dee Kei and Lu dive deep into the sonic and philosophical chaos of mixing hyperpop, sigilkore, and other maximalist genres — where distortion, clipping, and sheer loudness aren't flaws, they’re features.From pushing mixes to -2 LUFS to layering clippers at every stage, Dee Kei shares his firsthand experiences mixing records for artists like Odetari and Barelyhuman, and how tha
Top Mixing Mindset Mistakes: Perfectionism, Paralysis, and Pressure
In this deep and reflective episode, Dee Kei and Lu explore one of the most relatable challenges for mixers and creatives alike: the paradox of improvement and insecurity. Why does getting better at your craft sometimes make you feel worse? How can self-doubt either fuel your growth or paralyze your process?With insights from Zen philosophy, mixing experience, and personal anecdotes, they unpack t
Minimalist Mixing: Doing More With Fewer Plugins
In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu dive into the power of minimalist mixing — the art of doing more with fewer plugins. While the temptation to load up every fancy compressor and vintage EQ is real, many engineers find freedom, speed, and clarity by stripping things back. From building simple yet powerful vocal chains to learning when your mix actually needs less processin
The Gear We Regret Buying (and What We'd Buy Instead)
In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu get brutally honest about the gear they regret buying — not because it sounded bad, but because it didn’t move the needle. From analog outboard gear that collected dust to plugins that felt essential (but weren’t), this episode is all about separating emotional purchases from strategic investments.Whether you're a bedroom producer or
Why Your Mixes Sound Flat | How To Create Depth In Your Mixes
n this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu dive deep into the often overlooked but game-changing concept of depth in mixing. Beyond loudness and width, depth creates that three-dimensional, professional sound we all chase. The guys break down what actually creates depth, from volume contrast and EQ decisions to reverb, delay, and automation tricks. They also discuss common “depth k
Why HPF and LPF Are Your Mix’s Secret Weapon | All About Using Filters
In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu break down one of the simplest but most powerful tools in every engineer’s arsenal: high-pass and low-pass filters. From functional cleanup and frequency management to shaping emotion, depth, and energy, filters are far more than just technical necessities — they’re creative tools that shape the feel of a track. The guys discuss where fil
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