How to Start Learning Mixing for Music Producers

Where Do You Start with Mixing?

If you're a music producer just starting out, mixing can feel like a giant mountain of knobs, plugins, and unknown terminology. But the truth is: mixing is a skill that can be learned in clear, simple steps.

Step 1: Understand What Mixing Is

Mixing is the process of balancing and enhancing your tracks — shaping how the music feels, how instruments blend, and how clear your sound is.

Start by learning:

- Volume balancing

- Panning

- Basic EQ

- Simple compression

Step 2: Learn to Hear First

Before jumping into advanced tools, it’s essential to train your ears for mixing. That means learning to:

- Hear when a frequency is too harsh or missing

- Notice how compression changes dynamics

- Understand how gain and EQ interact

Step 3: Use an Ear Training App

Apps like MixSense give you fun, guided practice on:

- EQ frequency recognition

- Compression changes

- Panning and gain detection

These are the real-world skills you’ll use in every mix.

Step 4: Don’t Overwhelm Yourself

Practice one concept at a time. Mix a simple track with just volume and pan. Then add EQ. Then compression. Build gradually.

Final Thought

Your ears are the most important mixing tool — train them early and your mixing journey will be 10x easier.