Which audio creation courses offer the most comprehensive training in mixing and mastering techniques?

Mixing can be a tough task. Especially for anyone who may be new or unfamiliar with it. Trying to decide on and achieve the sound you're looking for within a music piece is easier said than done. It is important to learn, practice and understand how tools like EQ and compression work to empower a mix from it's raw phase into a final master. Using reference tracks and learning tools such as NailTheMix from URM Academy can help anyone get started understanding the fundamentals of mixing in a timely fashion provided you are consistent. Once you understand the basics, it is important to create efficient practices that benefit getting you to your desired sound in an accurate and timely manner.

Mastering is by far the most misunderstood process in the journey from initial idea to finished song. Lots of beginners believe that mastering is the process of making the song sound good - when mixing takes on the brunt of that job. Mastering can be seen differently by different professionals, but to me, it's a few things: it's a second opinion, a second set of ears for a song that may have been overlistened to by it's original creator; a commercial quality control process; a final technical finish; and a formatting procedure.

I worked with John Hampton on a project at Ardent Studios in Memphis. For those who don't know the late, great John Hampton, he received a Grammy for his work with Jimmie Vaughn and a Grammy for his work with the White Stripes. Watching him mix was a thing of beauty - not only did he have exceptional ears and sensibilities, but he was also a top-notch engineer. One instrument at a time - when finished, everything sounded like it was born whole, not created in a studio.

A good course should combine different types of learning, including demonstration, testing and going-away-and-practising-yourself. It should also convey a variety of mediums, including: visual, audio, text, charts, tables and so on. It shouldn't be too long, or too short, and should aim to leave the student with a sense of something real being learned, but without it overwhelming them.

Software proficiency is arguably the main hurdle that stops the majority of beginners from sticking with music production. Learning curves with DAW's are very steep, and even though once you've learned them, they're incredibly effective for creating good music and prioritising creative workflow, you must learn the basics properly. There is an entire industry dedicated to teaching the budding musician how to compress a drum loop, how to create a MIDI track, or what format to export a finished track in.

I have found the most help by a private instructor in the DAW of your choice. In Cubase, I also like Mixdown Online by Chris Selim, and some of the Linked In Learning options.