Mixing and Mastering London: Release-Ready Mixes at Soho Sonic

Soho Sonic offers professional mixing and mastering in London from two central studios in Soho and Camden. Mixing and mastering are handled in-house by the same engineers who work on the studio’s production sessions — with chart credits including Diplo, Usher, Chase and Status, and Jude Moore (UK Top 40 number five). Remote mixing is available: send your stems and we handle the rest. Files are delivered release-ready for streaming platforms, radio, and physical distribution.

Mixing and Mastering London: Release-Ready Mixes at Soho Sonic

A recording session is only part of the process. The work that happens after the session — mixing and mastering — determines how the music actually sounds when it reaches listeners. Done well, it is invisible: the song simply sounds right. Done badly, it shows up in every playback environment, from the car to the earbuds to the streaming platform’s normalisation algorithms.

This guide explains what mixing and mastering involve, what Soho Sonic offers, and how to get your music ready for release.

What is the difference between mixing and mastering?

Mixing is the process of combining all the individual recorded elements of a song — vocals, instruments, drums, bass, synths, samples — and balancing them into a coherent whole. The mixing engineer controls levels, panning, EQ, compression, reverb, and a range of other parameters to make the song feel unified. A good mix is one where every element has its place and the listener does not notice the work involved.

Mastering is the final stage before release. It takes the finished stereo mix and prepares it for distribution — optimising the loudness for streaming, ensuring the track translates across different playback systems (earbuds, car speakers, club sound systems), and delivering files in the required formats for each platform.

Both are necessary before releasing music professionally. Mixing without mastering produces a track that may sound different across devices. Mastering without a proper mix produces a loud, polished version of something that does not yet work.

Mixing at Soho Sonic

At Soho Sonic, mixes are built in full Pro Tools sessions in calibrated listening environments, using the same signal chain — Neve preamps, professional monitoring — as the studio’s production and recording work. This matters because a mix built in an accurate listening environment translates consistently, rather than sounding different in every room.

The mixing engineer works to a brief: the genre, the feel of the song, reference tracks if the artist has them, and anything specific about what the music should communicate. Revisions are part of the process. Files are delivered as a final stereo mix and, where needed, alternative versions (instrumental, TV track, stems for sync).

Production credits from the same team include Diplo, Usher, Chase and Status, and Jude Moore (UK Top 40 number five). The standard applied to those sessions is the standard applied to every mix that leaves the studio.

Mastering at Soho Sonic

Mastering is where the finished mix is optimised for the world it is going into. Different streaming platforms have different loudness targets — Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, and YouTube all normalise audio differently, and a master that sounds good on one platform may pump or sound flat on another. Radio has its own requirements. Physical formats (CD, vinyl) have their own too.

At Soho Sonic, masters are delivered ready for all major platforms and distribution channels. The mastering engineer checks that the track translates across reference playback systems before delivery — not just that it hits the numbers, but that it sounds right.

Remote mixing and mastering

Many artists work with studios outside their immediate area, or prefer to have a professional team handle the technical stages while they focus on other parts of the project. Soho Sonic accepts remote mixing and mastering work.

The process is straightforward: export your stems or your final mix, send them across, and we handle the rest. Revisions are discussed by email or call. Final files are delivered digitally, usually within five to seven working days depending on project complexity.

What to send and how

For mixing, you will need to provide stems — individual exported tracks from your DAW (recording software). The key requirements:

Export from the beginning of the project timeline, not the start of the audio
All stems at the same sample rate and bit depth (48kHz/24-bit is standard)
Label each stem clearly: Lead Vocal, Background Vocal (BGV), Kick, Snare, Bass, Guitar 1, etc.
Include a rough mix so the engineer can hear your intent
Include reference tracks if you have them

For mastering only, send the stereo mix as a high-resolution WAV file (48kHz/24-bit or higher). Do not apply a limiter to the master bus before sending — leave that headroom for the mastering engineer.

If you are unsure how to export stems from your DAW, get in touch and we can walk you through it.

How to book

Email [email protected], call +44 (0)20 7580 2088, or use our contact form. Quotes are given after a brief conversation about the project — the number of tracks, the scope, and what you need delivered.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

What is the difference between mixing and mastering? Mixing combines all the individual elements of a recorded song — vocals, instruments, drums — and balances them into a coherent whole. Mastering takes the finished stereo mix and prepares it for distribution, optimising loudness for streaming platforms and ensuring the track translates across different playback environments. Both are required for a professional release.

How much does mixing and mastering cost in London? Mixing costs vary depending on the number of tracks and complexity of the session. Mastering is typically priced per track or per EP. At Soho Sonic, both are quoted per project after a brief conversation. Remote mixing and mastering are available at the same standard as in-person sessions.

How long does mixing and mastering take? A standard mix for a single track typically takes one to two days, including a round of revisions. Mastering a single track usually takes half a day. Turnaround for remote projects is typically five to seven working days from receipt of files.

Do I need to mix and master before releasing on streaming platforms? Yes, if you want the music to sound professional. Streaming platforms normalise audio to their own loudness targets, and an unmastered track will often sound quieter, duller, or less present than properly mastered music. A professional mix and master ensures your music competes with everything else on the platform — rather than sounding like it belongs in a different category.

Soho Sonic Studios — mixing and mastering in central London. Soho and Camden locations. Remote stems accepted. Get in touch or call +44 (0)20 7580 2088.