Mixing is the process of combining all the individual elements of a song—such as vocals, drums, guitars, synths, and effects—into a single, polished track. During mixing, an engineer balances volume levels, pans sounds across the stereo field, and uses tools like EQ (equalization), compression, reverb, and delay to create depth, clarity, and space. The goal is to make sure every instrument is heard clearly and harmonizes well with the others, so the song sounds professional and emotionally impactful on its own.

Mastering comes after mixing and is the final step before a track is released. It ensures that the song sounds consistent and competitive across all playback systems—whether it's being played on headphones, car speakers, radio, or streaming platforms. Mastering involves optimizing the overall loudness, tonal balance, stereo width, and final polish of the track. It also ensures that multiple songs in an album or EP sound cohesive and flow smoothly from one to the next.