The SonicScoop Podcast | Music Production, Audio Engineering, and The Business of Music

Chances are that unless you're an in-demand mixer at the top of your craft,  you're not using enough automation in you mixes . Great automation is not just optional. It's  required  for mix balances that work throughout the entire song, and enhance the emotional impact of the whole production. But it's not just levels that can and should be automated. It's pans, EQs and effects too. Discover some...

Many try and few  succeed at having sustainable careers in music . It can even be hard to keep it going as a fulfilling hobby, without the right mindset. To stay in the game and keep moving in the right direction, you need lots of little victories leading up to the big ones. Justin Colletti explores.

Dialing in your effects before you even start your mix may seem "backwards" to some. But it's actually the way a lot of the best mixers work. Surprising? Here's the how, the why and the best practices.

Getting a wide, immersive stereo soundscape is one of the key features of mixes that sound impressive and hi-fi. But how to do it? Justin Colletti shares so key ideas on how to get your mixes to sound wider—with as much width and left to right spread as your favorite commercial releases.

As audio professionals, we need to trust our ears . But can we? Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Justin Colletti shares what we can do to help us trust what we hear.

Is the demo dead in the age of the DAW? Never! This week, Justin Colletti shares  why pre-production is still crucially important for music releases  that make a dent in the universe.

Should you mix your own music? Probably not, in many cases. But if you're committed to doing so, here are some of the keys to really making it work.

These days, top mixers don't always mix from scratch. And they don't always try to reinvent the mix either. Here's a more modern high-level approach for better mixes.

It's been said that talking about music or sound is like dancing about architecture. We often use words to describe what we're hearing without having any luck at getting our point across. Is there a better way? Justin Colletti says "yes". Here are some better words and ideas for talking about sound. Even with the non-technically minded. ►Get the free mastering workshop: https://sonicscoop.com/Mast...

In this episode, Justin Colletti tries to talk you out of all your hopes and dreams of being an audio engineer or music producer. He hopes he succeeds! (Really but not really.)

Is there any point to super high resolution audio? Probably not. Here's why.

Mix revisions can be a real pain. Or, they can be the best thing to happen to your mix. How can you make them less frequent, more seamless and more productive? Justin Colletti gives you all the secrets.

Dithering Demystified! Is Dither as important as it's made out to be? What effect does it have on your audio? When should you do it? And which kind is best? Justin Colletti explores.

How, why, when and where should you use sidechain dynamics processing? Justin Colletti gives you the overview of all the principles and common applications.

Does saturation have a place in mastering or on the mix bus? Absolutely says Justin Colletti. It can increase depth, density and perception of detail, and used properly, can help give you a louder, more pleasant sounding master. Here are some ideas on how to use it in your work.

What's holding your mix back? Justin Colletti shares his picks for the 6 most common mix issues, and how to overcome them in your own mixes.

Is there a better way to EQ? Justin Colletti thinks so. This easy to implement approach beats aimlessly sweeping through your EQ any day of the week. You can get better sounds with this simple 3-step trick immediately....and take a lifetime to master all the potential it has to offer.

Justin Colletti offers one big tip to dramatically improve your masters and your mixes. And it has to do with not just where, but WHEN you put in your limiter.

How much should you charge for a mix? How much should you expect to pay for a mix? How about mastering work—how much should that cost? Justin Colletti explores.

Passion! Should you follow it into a career in music or audio? Or should you play it safe? Justin Colletti gives his take.

What exactly is that "ratio" control on your compressor, and how should you use it? When do you want to use a low ratio, and when should you use a higher one? Justin Colletti gives you the best practices.

Should you be running your effects in pre-fader or post-fader mode? Are there reasons to do one over the other? How about putting your effects right on the inserts? Justin Colletti gives you the best practices.

What kinds of files should you be sending to your mastering engineer? Should you be leaving your buss processing on or off? How loud should your mixes be. Justin Colletti answers all this and more in today's episode.

When it comes to your work in the studio or in music, do you approach it like a job, or like a business? What's the difference? And why can treating your work like a business, rather than a "job" be both more fun and more fruitful? Justin Colletti dives deep.

If you don't have an audience already, releasing a full length album can be a confusing and downright depressing experience. There's a better way. Justin Colletti offers a better release strategy, more suited for the 21st century.