Mixing

A mix is where all the separate tracks of a song are balanced and blended into one cohesive whole. Mastering works on that finished mix (stereo or Dolby Atmos). It's the final step before a release and covers things like quality control and matching several tracks to each other.

• Learn more:What is mastering?

Mixing is the stage where a song's individual tracks — the multitracks — are shaped and balanced into one cohesive whole mix. It's about more than just balancing levels. The work that goes into a mix is often overlooked: careful preparation, editing, vocal tuning, timing corrections, and everything else needed to make the track sit right. Most importantly, mixing is about bringing the artist's vision to life. A mix isn't finished until everyone involved is happy with the result. That's why we don't cut corners. We put real value on communication and take the time to understand what each song and artist actually needs.

Stems are basically another name for a song's individual tracks. The word can also mean submixes, where related parts are bounced together as a group, such as all the drums, all the music, or an instrumental. In everyday use, 'stems' and 'multitracks' are treated as much the same thing.

Mono is one channel: a single signal with no distribution — left and right are identical. Stereo has two channels, so you can position sounds in the stereo field. That's done with so-called panning or with tools like a stereo widener. Effects like delays or reverb often add stereo information too.

There are also wider formats like surround, where the sound comes at you from all sides.