Mixing Music
The Gear and Steps to a Stellar Mix
Welcome to the mixing-focused February 2025 issue of RECORDING Magazine. The music has been played, the performance has been captured, and now it’s time to mix it. Sometimes, the perfect mix magically falls into our hands, while other times, it can be daunting. The February issue is here to guide you with the latest mixing tools and expert advice from our team of working audio engineers and producers.
Reviews
We have 13 reviews this month. We start off with a trio of interfaces/converters to capture and mix your sounds. From Focusrite, we have the latest highest channel count Scarlett yet as we check out the Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen interface. Next up, we get to know the new BURL BLACK line from BURL Audio.
We have two pairs of compact studio monitors on test this month as we listen to the new D3V desktop monitors from ADAM Audio, and the also new iLoud MTM MKII from IK Multimedia.
In hardware processing, we sculpt our mix with two equalizers. We get ‘freaky’ with Wolff Audio with the new 500 series FREQ, and then digital control and recall meets passive tube EQ goodness with the Bettermaker Valve Stereo Passive Equalizer.
In the world of hardware MIDI controllers/instruments, we have the portable Ableton Move and the Arturia Keylab MK3.
Plugins are a vital part of the modern mixing landscape, and in this issue, we have the new fifth-generation Neutron 5 from iZotope, the PSP Datamix A567 from PSPaudioware, and a trio of simple single knob preamp plugins in the just launched NOIZ One Series D Bundle from KIT Plugins.
Last but not least, a great mix arguably starts with a great microphone, and this month, we wrap our reviews with the launch of the new P-24 stereo tube mic from Peluso Microphone Lab.
Interview
Apogee Digital is celebrating 40 years, and we sit down with one of the company’s founders—CEO Betty Bennett, to talk about the company’s history and future of industry-leading converter technology and more. [GET IT HERE]
Features
We have four “mix-tastic” features this month. First up, Mark Hornsby is back Inside The Studio—Tommy Lee’s new Russ Berger-designed studio, to be precise, as Mark walks us through the design of Tommy’s new space, designed for both Dolby Atmos and drum recording. [GET IT HERE]
In the second installment of RECORDING Techniques, producer Dave Martin talks about the mixing environment, reference tracks and more. [GET IT HERE] In RECORDING Field Notes, Giles Reaves shares his thoughts and tips on getting your mixes to translate. [GET IT HERE]
In our second Studio 101 of 2025, Joe Albano continues his discussion of putting together a personal studio. [GET IT HERE]
Finally, in this month’s Fade Out, we welcome Ken Caillat and Claus Trembly with a discussion on music creation in an immersive environment.
Come “Mix It Up” in the February Issue of RECORDING Magazine.