Mixing Faster vs Mixing Better: The Tradeoffs Every Engineer Faces

In Episode 364 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu revisit one of the most common pieces of advice in mixing: “mix fast.” While trusting your instincts and avoiding overthinking can be powerful, the guys explore the nuance behind when slowing down actually leads to better results. They discuss the value of the “next day listen,” how fresh ears can reveal problems you missed the night before, and why building extra time into your schedule can improve both your mixes and your revision process. From there, the conversation dives into practical ways to slow down intentionally, including detailed automation, vocal rides, automating effects and parallel compression, and taking the time to properly dial in EQ and compressor settings. The episode also highlights the importance of referencing and making intentional decisions rather than letting plugins or presets determine the direction of a mix. The core message is simple: instinct and speed are valuable, but great mixes often come from knowing when to pause, listen carefully, and refine the details.

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Mixing Faster vs Mixing Better: The Tradeoffs Every Engineer Faces is an episode from Mixing Music | Music Production, Audio Engineering, & Music Business by @DeeKeiMixes.

This episode is 39:34 long.

This episode was published on Mar 10, 2026.

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