MusicRadar

Sharooz gets hands-on in his studio.

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Producer, DJ and artist in his own right, Sharooz is someone who knows how to make a mix sound good. As such, the opportunity to read his top tips for creating a track that has that 'pro finish' is one that you'd be a fool to pass up.

So let's hear what the man has to say: it might just change the way you think and work when you're in the studio.

Process the mix buss sparingly

"There's a great temptation these days to reach for the multiband compressor or limiter to give your track an instant gloss. However, it's important to ensure your actual mix is solid in the first place. If buss processes are dramatically altering the sound of the mix, then I'm afraid you're doing something wrong. They should serve simply to glue things together, not change the entire fabric of the track."

Reduce bass for maximum loudness

"If your mix is too bassy, you're compromising volume. It may be difficult to fully hear what's going on in the 20-80Hz range if you're not using a sub. Check your mixes on a system with good accurate bass reproduction and make sure your kick tails aren't overly long or boomy as these often go unnoticed and get in the way of the bassline."

Get another pair of ears on the mixdown

"Whether it's something as simple as turning the vocals down a notch, or fine-tuning EQ, it's often easy to overlook critical elements if you're the only person privy to your creations. Take a few days away from the mix, then pull the original track back up to check if it still sounds as powerful as it did when you first began. Get a friend to listen too."

Check your mix on various systems

"Every monitor has a different characteristic and unique detail can be picked up from even the poorest quality speakers. If you make club music, checking mixes on a big rig or PA is a must. For vocal tracks and general balancing, a flat, no-frills monitor such as the classic Yamaha NS-10M is a valuable tool."

Leave the mastering to the pros

"It's good practice to use a properly trained engineer to master your track. Strip any excess limiting or multiband compression from the mix and allow the mastering engineer to rebuild the process using their own tools. Even if you're convinced you've got the best possible sound, a little added sparkle never goes amiss. Besides, pro mastering has never been cheaper or more accessible, with some of the finest studios offering great rates."

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