Behind every professionally-sounding track there’s more than just the artist and producer — there are two key technical specialists: the mixing engineer and the mastering engineer. These experts work at the final stages of music production and hold responsibility for how it ultimately sounds. Although these roles often blur, they have distinct tasks and responsibilities. In this article we’ll explore who they are, where you can train, how much you might earn, and what career milestones to aim for in these professions.
What is a Mixing Engineer?
A mixing engineer is the person who takes all the separate audio tracks of a song — vocals, drums, bass, synths, effects — and blends them into one coherent, balanced musical piece. Think of them as a sonic designer who completes the track’s sound before it reaches the mastering stage.
Key Tasks of a Mixing Engineer:
- Adjusting the relative levels of all sound elements;
- Using EQs (equalisers) and compressors to shape tone and dynamics;
- Creating space and depth via reverb, delay and stereo-panning;
- Applying creative effects (saturation, modulation, automation);
- Preparing the final mix (often stems or full bounce) for the mastering engineer.
According to industry definitions, mixing engineers work with multitrack sessions and aim to make the song sound emotional, clear and impactful.
What is a Mastering Engineer?
A mastering engineer is the specialist who takes the final stereo mix and transforms it into a master ready for release across streaming platforms, radio, vinyl and other media. Mastering is the last step before the music goes public.
Key Tasks of a Mastering Engineer:
- Final tonality and dynamic balance adjustments;
- Normalising loudness to meet standards for Spotify, Apple Music and other services;
- Ensuring consistency across tracks in an album or EP;
- Converting the audio to the required formats (WAV, MP3, DDP etc.);
- Checking compatibility across devices and media formats.
Industry sources describe mastering engineers as working at a macro-level — they polish the whole song rather than fix individual track elements.
Where to Train for Mixing and Mastering?
Top institutions & platforms worldwide:
- Berklee College of Music (USA) — flagship for music production training;
- SAE Institute — audio engineering courses in multiple countries;
- Abbey Road Institute — practical courses tied to the legendary studio environment;
- Point Blank Music School — specialised courses in mixing and mastering;
- Online platforms: SoundGym, PureMix, MixWithTheMasters, iZotope Learn, Coursera.
These options offer both full-time training and modular/online formats — ideal if you’re looking to develop skills from any location.
Where to apply these skills:
- Recording studios (in-house engineer);
- Freelance services (via platforms like Fiverr, SoundBetter, Upwork);
- Own music production projects;
- Assistant roles to experienced engineers (great for initial learning).
How Much Do Mixing & Mastering Engineers Earn?
Earnings vary significantly by experience level, country and whether you’re freelance or in-studio: USA / Canada – ~$2,500-4,000/month (Entry Level), ~$6,000-10,000+/month (Experienced Engineer), $100-$1,000+ (Fee per Track). Germany / France – ~€2,000-3,500/month (Entry Level), ~€5,000-8,000/month (Experienced Engineer), €80-€600 (Fee per Track). Ukraine / CIS – ~$300-800/month (Entry Level), ~$1,000-2,000+/month (Experienced Engineer), $30-$300 (Fee per Track). Freelance rates depend heavily on portfolio strength, prior work quality and client feedback. (These ranges are general estimates.)
— See also: The Future of Music Mastering in 2026 —
Career Milestones: What to Aim For
Successful mixing or mastering engineers often reach these achievements:
- Working with major labels (Universal, Warner, Sony);
- Producing chart-topping tracks (e.g., on Billboard Hot 100);
- Winning awards (Grammy – Best Engineered Album);
- Owning a top-tier studio;
- Participating in elite networks/communities (such as Mix With The Masters).
Notable names in the industry include: Chris Lord-Alge, Bob Ludwig, Tom Elmhirst and Emily Lazar.
Why Choose Professional Mixing & Mastering?
Even with the rise of DIY tools, human expertise remains vital. Mixing and mastering require both artistic sensibility and technical precision. A skilled engineer avoids unwanted artefacts, preserves dynamics and ensures the music translates well across all playback systems.
Book Professional Mastering with AREFYEV Studio
Want your track to sound on par with top-level releases? At AREFYEV Studio, we offer:
- Professional manual mixing and mastering;
- Preparation tailored to streaming platforms;
- Both analogue and digital equipment;
- Over 10 years’ experience and dozens of monthly releases.
AREFYEV Studio — quality you can hear. Contact us now and give your music the treatment it deserves.
