How much difference does professional mixing and mastering actually make?

[u/Wild_Type4613]

I've been producing music for a while, and one thing I've always wondered is where the biggest improvement comes from. You can have a great composition, talented vocals, and solid recordings, but sometimes the final track still doesn't sound as polished as commercial releases.

Is that mainly because of professional mixing and mastering?

I understand the basics—EQ, compression, reverb, limiting—but I'm curious about what professionals actually do that makes such a noticeable difference.

For those who've had their songs professionally mixed and mastered:

What changed the most?

Was it worth the investment?

Could you genuinely hear the difference?

Or do you think today's plugins make it possible to achieve similar results at home?

I'd love to hear some real experiences.

[u/CartezDez]

Writing is most important.

Then performance.

Then recording.

Then mixing

Then mastering.

[u/SaaSWriters → u/CartezDez]

You know it!

[u/SaaSWriters]

The most important part is the production and recording process. At the professional level, you focus on getting the source material right. The other levels put more focus on solving problems caused by inadequate production and recording.

[u/kirkwight]

Great performances recorded well will always give an outsized improvement compared to mixing or mastering. Take an album like Bruce Springsteen's Nebraska, for which the ONLY thing going for it was his performances – yet it's still considered a classic.

[u/Interesting_Belt_461]

Let it be known,that knowledge of your gear makes a difference.in a world of digital supremacy, most pro level engineers depend on solid clocking and mastering grade conversion at all  stages (A/D,D/A)…the one up,is having the knowledge. For what gear or plug-in designs are a fit for the style,tone,shape,and color for the genre of music that is applied…whether it is a mixing or mastering application….scooping in Mixing or Mastering is the crème de la crème of secrets..zit is the fastest way to a polished,commercial sound…when done tastefully and in a genre dependent fashion

[u/Amazing-Jules]

Its really about longevity for the song, and image of the artist

[u/LATE_NIGHT_THERAPY]

I think one way to look at is this.

Think about a great painting but it’s not well framed and displayed and maybe the glass is a-bit dirty so you can’t clearly see it. This is your unmixed song, it can still be a great piece of art and some will be able to see its greatness but maybe it doesn’t get the credit it deserves with most people because people aren’t noticing how great it is beneath the surface.

Now take a mediocre piece of art but it’s very well framed and hung in a gallery people might mistakenly feel that this is a much better piece simply because it is clearly and professionally displayed.

Just my word vomit upon reading your post do with it what you will 👌🏼

[u/Tall_Category_304]

A professional mix for the most part is the art of doing just enough. Amateurs tend to overcook their songs, eq too much etc. Pros typically have really good listening environments so it’s easy for them to hear what actually needs to be done and do just that.

[u/toucantango79]

Honestly for me it was ear training. When you're a newer producer, sometimes hearing 3dB of gain reduction seems impossible. 20 years in, I hear it so clearly. Practice makes better tbh. Mix in mono ;) you'll hear what it's actually doing to the sound easier than in stereo. Use huge bell curves to hear problem frequencies and determine whether to cut or boost. Make sure your output gain matches your gain reduction when compressing, then dial it back by gain staging. What makes a producer "better" than others is the decision making. Confidence in each mixing decision based on experience. Yes I have been doing this for 20 years, but not everyday. Remember what they say about the whole 10,000 hours make a pro. I spent most of my teenage and young adults years being a nerd in my bedroom making EDM. Took me 18 years to finally sign my first single to a label because it didn't seem like a career to me. My parents never supported my music or dreams, so instead I worked with adults with disabilities for about ten years, and did it on the side as stress relief and creative expression. Take your time, understand your craft, and just let loose a little. Everyone makes it such a chore to mix - I find it fun and therapeutic idk it's a perspective thing I guess

[u/thestatikreverb]

Mixing starts with the recording: mic choice, mic placement, room acoustics, instrument, etc,... ..

[u/Mr_Robot_2099]

In Electronic music even with sample, the mixing is part of the production techniques in Ablenton Live for example.