I’m only getting my music mixed. How do I record my music properly?
In this guide, we’ll show you exactly how to record your music at home so your mixing engineer has the best possible material to work with.
Many independent artists record their music at home and hire a professional mixing engineer afterward. It’s a great way to keep production costs down while still achieving a polished, streaming-ready sound.
But here’s the truth that surprises many artists: A professional mix starts with a professional recording.
Even the world’s best mixing engineer can’t completely fix recordings that suffer from clipping, background noise, poor microphone placement, or inconsistent performances.
The better your recordings are, the better your final mix will sound.
Can a mixing engineer fix everything?
Modern mixing software is incredibly powerful, but it’s not magic.
A mixing engineer can improve:
Overall balance & EQ
Compression
Creative effects (Reverb, Delay)
Stereo width
Vocal tuning (when needed)
Timing adjustments
Noise reduction (to a certain extent)
However, some problems are difficult (or impossible) to repair without compromising quality.
Examples include:
Distorted or clipped recordings
Loud background noise
Room echo
Cheap microphone artifacts
Recordings made too quietly
Recordings with inconsistent microphone distance
Think of your recording as the foundation of a house. If the foundation is weak, every improvement built on top will be limited.
Record in the quietest room possible
You don’t need an expensive studio to capture clean recordings. What you do need is a quiet environment.
Turn off:
Fans & Airconditioning
TVs
Washing machines
Turn down your headphones as much as possible but keep them at a comfortable level
Phone notifications
Soft furnishings such as curtains, carpets, sofas, mattresses, or thick blankets can help reduce unwanted reflections and make your recordings sound more controlled.
The goal isn’t to make your room completely soundproof, it’s to reduce noise and echo as much as possible.
Choose the right microphone
If possible, use:
A large-diaphragm condenser microphone for vocals. But beware of plosives and sibilance.
A dynamic microphone if your room has a lot of background noise.
You don’t need the most expensive microphone on the market. Models under 300€ like SE X1S, Lewitt LCT240 or WA87 Jr. will do much better in a somewhat treated room than a 1000€ mic in an untreated one.
Use a good audio interface
You don’t need the most expensive Neve or SSL audio interface. Yes, a Focusrite 2i2 or similar is absolutely great. But beware of the noisefloor the cheaper models bring with them.
Set your recording levels correctly
One of the most common mistakes is recording too loud. Digital clipping cannot be repaired completely.
Aim for peaks around -6dBFS while recording.
Leaving headroom gives your mixing engineer more flexibility during the mixing process. If you’re unsure, record slightly quieter rather than too loud.
Stay the same distance from the microphone
Moving closer and farther away during a performance changes:
Volume
Tone
Bass response
Room reflections
Always use a pop filter. They can be as cheap as a few euros, even a nylon sock can do wonders. Even if your microphone already has a pop filter built in, it never hurts to add another one in front of it. It also helps to keep you at the same distance with every take!
Record dry. Don’t add effects.
You can add effects in your headphone such as reverb or heavy compression. This might even improve your takes! But beware that it is not audible in the raw audio you will be sending later on. Keep that clean.
Record multiple takes, but only keep the best ones.
Professional vocals are almost never recorded in one take.
Instead, record:
2-3 complete takes
Extra chorus takes
Doubles
Harmonies
Ad-libs
Your mixing engineer can choose the strongest performances and combine them into one polished vocal.
Don’t over-edit your recordings
You can edit your own takes but beware of mistakes such as:
Cutting too much audio
Cutting out breaths (leave them in, it makes your take more natural!)
Don’t normalize your files. It might add compression you don’t want.
If you’re not sure if you have the experience, talk to your engineer and they might do it for you
Export the correct files
Before sending your project: Export every track separately.
Each file should:
Start at exactly the same point, even if it’s only 1 extra word in the last chorus
Have the same sample rate (preferably 48kHz).
Always export as WAV – 24bit or 32bit float.
Have no limiter on the master bus.
Include enough headroom.
Never send MP3 files, they don’t only compress audio but there is also a slight time difference embedded in the audio.
Label everything clearly
Instead of filenames like:
Audio 7.wav
Final Vocal NEW.wav
Verse Maybe.wav
Use names like:
Lead Vocal
Chorus Double L
Chorus Double R
Harmony High
Harmony Low
Ad-lib
Guitar DI
Bass
Kick
Snare
Your mixing engineer will thank you, and you’ll avoid confusion later.
Include important information
When delivering your files, also include:
BPM
Song key
Reference tracks
Notes about effects you like
Any creative ideas you want preserved
Good communication often leads to better mixes.
Common recording mistakes
Avoid these common issues:
❌ Recording too loud ❌ Recording with reverb ❌ Recording in an echoey room ❌ Sending MP3 files ❌ Inconsistent microphone distance ❌ Excessive editing ❌ Naming files poorly ❌ Recording with background noise
Frequently Asked Questions – FAQ
Can I record vocals with a usb microphone?
Many USB microphones can produce surprisingly good results when used correctly in a quiet room.
Technique and environment matter more than price alone.
Can my phone recording be mixed?
Phone recordings can work for demos or creative effects, but they rarely provide the quality needed for a professional release.
Should I normalize my tracks?
Leave your recordings at their original level. Your mixing engineer will handle gain staging during the mix. Aim for a peak level of -6dBFS and a relative overal volume between -18dbFS and -12dbFS.
What file format should I send?
WAV files are the industry standard. Export at the original sample rate and, if possible, in 24-bit. Avoid MP3 unless specifically requested.
Should I send one stereo file?
Depends. If your audio is strictly mono (a vocal or a guitar DI) then send the file as mono. If your audio is really stereo (keyboard) then send them as stereo.
Final Thoughts
Recording your own music is easier than ever, but achieving a professional result still depends on good recording practices.
You don’t need a world-class studio to capture great performances. A quiet room, proper microphone technique, clean gain staging, and organised files will already make a huge difference.
A wise person once said: Record like there’s no mixing. Mix like there’s no mastering.
The cleaner your recordings are, the more your mixing engineer can focus on making your song sound bigger, wider, and more emotional instead of fixing avoidable problems.
At Breeze Inc Studio, we regularly mix songs recorded in home studios across Belgium and beyond. If you’re unsure whether your recordings are ready for mixing, we’re happy to review them and advise you before the mixing process begins. A few small improvements before you hit record can make a huge difference in the final result.
Written by Bob Briessinck Professional Recording Engineer
