Guides · Mix translation
Guides for mixes that translate
Short, practical articles on the checks engineers actually do before a mix leaves the room: phone speakers, mono, the side channel, loudness, references. Each one works on its own, whatever tools you use.
Why these checks exist
A mix that only works on your monitors isn't finished. Most people will hear it on a phone, earbuds, a laptop, a car or a smart speaker, often in mono and often after a streaming service has changed its level. The guides below cover the checks that catch those problems early, while you can still fix them in the mix.
Every guide explains the underlying audio first: what to listen for, why it happens, and how to fix it. Then there's a short section on doing the same check live on your iPhone with MixOutpost, while the session plays.
All guides
Related reference
For the numbers behind delivery, see loudness targets for Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube, broadcast and podcasts. For setting up a specific host, see the DAW pages.
Questions
Do I need MixOutpost to use these guides?
No. The listening checks and the loudness explanations apply to any setup. Each guide has a section on doing the check live on an iPhone with MixOutpost, but the rest stands on its own.
Where should I start?
If your mixes sound good in the studio but fall apart elsewhere, start with checking on a phone speaker and mono compatibility. Those two catch the most common translation problems.
Are these guides about mastering?
Mostly mixing, with some delivery. The loudness guide explains LUFS, true peak and normalization, and links to the targets for each streaming service and broadcast spec.
Hear your mix on your phone
Free Mac plugin (AU, VST3) and iPhone app. Lossless, bit-exact and encrypted.