★ SLSL OS: Song Finishing Checklist
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★ Start Here
  • Find a reference track similar to yours or with a mix you love
  • Listen to your song top to bottom before touching anything
  • Write down anything that's bothering you or catching your ear. Work through your notes as you go.
★ Reference Track
  • Compare volumes of elements, starting with kick and snare
  • Listen to the bass, then other melodic elements
  • Are the hats and cymbals too harsh or too quiet compared to the reference?
  • Adjust your track volumes using the reference as a guide
★ Arrangement
  • Does the intro pull you in? Does the outro feel resolved or intentional?
  • Do your transitions feel smooth? Are drops, builds, or breaks landing right?
  • Any sections that feel empty or repetitive? Consider adding a layer, SFX, or variation.
  • Consider ear candy: SFX, vocal chops, risers, impacts
  • Does the song have direction? Are changes between sections intentional?
★ Mix
Low End
  • High-pass melodic elements: vocals, synths, pads, leads, keys. Start around 80hz, use your ears
  • Check for mud. Anything washed out? Cut low end or low mids with EQ or a filter
  • Reverb and delay tails can generate mud. Cut low end inside the effect. Don't forget return tracks
Balance
  • Anything too loud or too quiet?
  • No section should feel unexpectedly louder than the last
  • Inconsistent synth or vocal volume? Try a compressor to tame peaks
  • Check for sharp or harsh sounds in the highs. Snares and hats are common spots
  • Is reverb decay too long? Try shortening it if elements sound washy
Final Mix Check
  • Select all tracks and raise volume together to preserve relative levels (or lower if clipping)
  • No clipping on the master bus
  • Listen on multiple speakers: monitors, headphones, phone, laptop, car, bluetooth
★ Quick Master
Mastering is final polish, not fixing problems. If something needs fixing, go back to the mix. Constantly compare to your reference track.
  • Add saturation on the master bus. Keep it light. You shouldn't hear it on, but you notice it off. Ozone Exciter is a good option.
  • Add a limiter after. Use it to bring your volume up to match the reference without squashing dynamics
"You mix with your ears, but your eyes are a great tool."
★ Reminders
  • Use a spectrum analyzer on your song and your reference to compare. SPAN is a good free option
  • If you get stuck, take a break. Even 10 to 15 minutes resets your ears
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