A new study by AI mixing and mastering platform RoEx has highlighted widespread issues with the quality of independent musicians’ mixes and mastered tracks.
The study is based on an analysis of 200,000 songs submitted to RoEx’s Mix Check studio, and found that 8 out of 10 mastered tracks exceeded Spotify’s recommended loudness levels, while clipping (causing distortion) Signal overload) was observed in 57% of cases. tracks, most commonly tracks from electronic genres such as drum and bass or house music.
The research, co-authored with Queen Mary University and presented by RoEx CEO David Ronan at the Audio Engineering Society Show this week, shows that amateur musicians and It focuses on the challenges faced by producers.
Excessive loudness levels and clipping top the list of common issues, and many songs are likely to be automatically adjusted by loudness normalization on streaming platforms before release, such as Spotify and Apple Music. It has been shown that the intended sound effect may be lost when played with
The study also showed that compression issues are widespread. 33% of mastered tracks suffer from obvious under-compression, and 15% are considered over-compressed, both of which affect the overall dynamic range of the track. Additionally, stereo field issues are the second most common issue during the mixing stage, with 39% of mastered tracks showing a stereo field that is too wide, making the track sound thin or out of focus. may be heard.
The RoEx study raises important questions. Are the skills of mixing and mastering in danger of being lost in the age of bedroom production? Choosing to complete and release tracks on your own without the training or assistance of a professional engineer? A growing number of musicians are tempted to identify a penchant for technically flawed, poorly mixed and mastered music.
However, it’s important to remember that what sounds “right” is a subjective decision. Some artists may intentionally use heavy compression or even clipping to create a raw aesthetic, and many use unconventional techniques during the mixing stage to give their tracks a unique feel. choose to use. Unique character. There are no universal standards that must be adhered to in music production. Many highly successful artists achieve great results by intentionally breaking convention. Look at Burial and Jai Paul, for example.
“The music production process can be a daunting task for DIY artists. Our goal is to demystify mixing and mastering and provide tools that make professional sound more accessible.” said RoEx CEO David Ronan. RoEx has created Elevate Your Production, a free guide that DIY musicians can use to overcome these challenges and fine-tune their tracks for release.
