Music mixing

01Who this service suits

We mix for singer-songwriters with a handful of tracks, for bands sending a full session of drums, bass, guitars and layered vocals, and for producers who want a second pair of ears to finish their beat and vocals. If you are recording an EP in stages and want every song to sound like part of the same record, a single mixing engineer helps: the choices around space, dynamics and tone carry through the whole release.

At Comptelogicza, most mixes are handled by Joris Bakker, our mixing engineer and producer. He works in the control room, so you can sit in on part of the session if you like. If you would rather listen and respond remotely, that works just as well; plenty of our mixing clients only drop by at delivery, or not at all.

02What to send us

The cleaner the files, the more time goes into the mix itself rather than housekeeping. Here is what we ask for:

• individual tracks as WAV or AIFF, at the original sample rate and bit depth, not normalised;
• every file exported from exactly the same start point, including parts that only come in during the last chorus;
• clear names such as Lead vox, Bass DI or Gtr left rather than Audio 14;
• the tempo in BPM and any tempo changes;
• your own rough mix, as a reference for balance and for effects that belong to the song;
• two or three released songs whose sound you like.

Effects that are part of the sound, such as a deliberately distorted guitar or a synth with a delay, are best exported both with and without the effect. Our guide on delivering tracks for mixing walks you through it in the common DAWs.

03How a mix runs here

Once the files arrive we listen through everything. If a track is missing, clicks or has been cut short, you will hear from us within 2 working days, before any mixing starts. Then comes the groundwork: grouping tracks, removing noise between phrases and checking the timing of doubled parts.

The mix itself starts at the core of the song, usually the vocal and the rhythm section. From there, the other instruments find their place across the stereo field and in depth. We use EQ, compression, reverb and delay where they add something, and leave them out where a recording already sounds right. The aim is not a flashy mix for its own sake, but one that fits your genre and the references you gave us.

You receive a first version as a WAV and a handy MP3 to check on your phone, laptop and in the car. Feedback works best with timestamps, for example 1:42 vocal could come forward a little.

04Revision rounds and what they cover

Each song includes 2 revision rounds. A round is one combined list of notes, which we work through in one go. Typical revisions are the vocal level, the amount of reverb, the balance between kick and bass, or a guitar that should stand out more in the chorus.

A completely new direction after the first mix has been approved, new recordings added halfway through or a different arrangement are not revision rounds. In those cases we first propose the extra time involved, so you are never surprised by costs afterwards. The exact scope of a round is also set out in our terms and conditions.

05Delivery and file formats

The final mix reaches you through a download link. By default you get:

We deliberately leave headroom in the mix so there is something left to do at the mastering stage. If you want stems, meaning groups such as drums, bass, harmony and vocals exported separately from the final mix, a separate surcharge applies. We keep your session for 6 months after delivery and then delete it, so keep your own copy too.

06Turnaround and scheduling

Turnaround depends on the number of songs, the state of the tracks and the studio calendar. With the quote we agree on a specific date for the first mix. If you have a release date, a distributor deadline or a premiere, mention it straight away in your request so we can plan around it.

For a release, also leave time for the revision rounds and for mastering. A realistic schedule lets a mix rest for a day so you can judge it with fresh ears, which usually leads to better decisions than signing off in a hurry.

07Pricing and VAT

A mix costs €240 per song for sessions of up to 48 tracks. That price includes 21% VAT; business clients also see the amount excluding VAT, €198.35, on the quote. A stems export of the final mix costs an extra €60 per song.

If your session has more than 48 tracks, we first look together at whether some can be combined, such as several microphones on the same guitar. If that is not possible, you get an adjusted price before we start. When you confirm, we ask for a 30% deposit, with the balance due at delivery. Business invoices are payable within 14 days.

08What mixing does not include

Mixing is not the same as producing or re-recording. The following are not included:

• rewriting parts, adding instruments or recording new vocals;
• heavy pitch correction or tuning an entire vocal note by note;
• rebuilding tracks that arrive distorted or badly damaged;
• mastering, which you can book separately through our audio mastering service.

Not sure whether your song needs more than a mix? Send your rough mix through the contact form. We will give you an honest view, even if that means re-recording a few tracks first.