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In Episode 370 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu continue their true-or-false format and dig into even more of the beliefs, myths, and gray areas that shape music production and audio careers. This round covers everything from whether you should mix and master your own music, to whether analog gear is really better, whether Pro Tools still matters, and whether networking outweighs skill. They also get into social media, working for free early in your career, standing out in a crowded industry, perfectionism, arrangement vs mix importance, and what actually makes a great mixer. One of the strongest themes in the episode is that audio is never just technical. Great mixing is also about psychology, emotion, decision-making, and understanding how to help artists feel confident in what they are making. This is a sharp, practical episode for engineers, producers, and artists who want more nuance than the usual black-and-white advice.  SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Episode 369 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu take a true-or-false format and use it to unpack some of the biggest myths and half-truths in music, mixing, and the audio industry. What starts with a Discord question about whether clients should ever receive a mix you are not proud of turns into a bigger conversation about taste, service, flexibility, and what great engineers actually do. They dig into whether natural talent is required to become great at music, whether a mix that sounds good in mono sounds good everywhere, whether subs should always be mono, whether success is measured by streams, whether artists can really make a living from Spotify, and whether you have to move to LA to make it in music. They also touch on reference tracks, client expectations, and how personal ego can distort the way people think about careers and craft. This is a fun but honest episode that mixes hot takes with real nuance, especially for engineers, producers, and artists trying to think more clearly about success, taste, and what actually matters in music.  SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Episode 368 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu tackle a question that comes up constantly: how do you maintain work-life balance while building a serious music career, especially with a spouse, kids, and the uncertainty that comes with creative work? With Dee Kei preparing for the birth of his third child, the conversation becomes a personal one. He breaks down the biggest misconception around balance, which is the idea that it is some permanent state you eventually arrive at. Instead, the episode explores work-life balance as something fluid, imperfect, and constantly changing based on your season of life, your values, your relationships, and your responsibilities. They also get into boundaries, flexibility, commitment, marriage, career ambition, and how family can shape motivation rather than destroy it. This is a thoughtful episode for anyone trying to navigate music, purpose, relationships, and the reality of building a meaningful life without waiting for things to feel perfectly stable.  SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Episode 367 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Lu holds it down solo while Dee Kei takes time with his growing family, and uses the episode to demystify some of the most common myths in audio. He moves through recording, mixing, mastering, and broader industry misconceptions, tackling topics like expensive gear, recording levels, fixing things in the mix, room acoustics, clipping, plugin counts, reference tracks, headphones, loudness, presets, Auto-Tune, and more. Rather than overcomplicating things, Lu keeps the episode practical and direct. The message throughout is that context matters, good judgment matters, and a lot of the “rules” people repeat in audio are either outdated, oversimplified, or flat-out wrong. This is a fast, useful episode for engineers, producers, and artists who want clearer thinking and fewer myths in their workflow.  SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Episode 366 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu talk about what the first five years of an audio career really look like. From saying yes to everything, trying different lanes, and learning on the fly, to dealing with low pay, long hours, self-doubt, burnout, and the pressure to figure things out, this episode is a realistic look at the early stage of building a life in music. They break down the value of experimentation, humility, relationships, gear obsession, learning through mistakes, and why your path will probably look different from everyone else’s. The bigger message is that there is no single blueprint for making it in music, but staying curious, staying open, and actually enjoying the process matters more than most people realize.  SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Episode 365 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and James sit down with mixing engineer Andrew Law to talk about immersive audio, Dolby Atmos, and how Andrew built a career around spatial mixing. He shares how his path took him from traditional recording work into TV, film, podcasting, Amazon Music, and eventually Grammy-nominated Atmos mixing. The conversation breaks down what actually makes a strong Atmos mix, how Andrew approaches beds, objects, binaural settings, and playback, and why hearing Atmos on a real speaker system can completely change how artists feel about the format. He also explains practical ways beginners can start learning Atmos without a full room build, along with thoughts on workflow, clients, and where immersive audio may be headed next. Along the way, Andrew also talks about career pivots, working both freelance and in-house, networking, and how his unusual background, from sports to studio life, shaped the way he navigates the music industry. This is a great episode for anyone curious about Atmos, spatial audio, and the evolving future of mixing.  andrewlawmixing.com SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

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. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Episode 363 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu take a deep dive into how mixing and recording have evolved from the 1950s to today. Starting with mono recordings, ribbon mics, and engineers in lab coats, they trace the journey through multitrack tape, Neve and SSL consoles, gated reverb in the 80s, the rise of Pro Tools in the 90s, the loudness wars of the 2000s, and the bedroom production boom of the 2010s. They break down how technological shifts shaped the sound of each era, from Frank Sinatra’s room-driven performances to Led Zeppelin’s tape saturation, Michael Jackson’s SSL precision, and the hyper-loud masters of Metallica and early 2000s pop and hip hop. The conversation also explores how Napster disrupted the industry, how streaming rebuilt it, and why today’s music economy is more democratized than ever. The episode closes with a forward-looking discussion on AI, Atmos, spatial audio, and whether music is truly declining or simply evolving again. Along the way, Dee Kei challenges common analog myths, including the hidden digital processing inside many classic vinyl records. If you care about how technology shapes creativity, why records sound the way they do, and where mixing is headed next, this is a must-listen episode. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Episode 362 of the Mixing Music Podcast, hosts Dee Kei and Lu start with a wild weekend recap that includes long work hours, live sound chaos, and a massive rally in downtown Los Angeles. Dee Kei shares how he went from one gig to another while traffic was locked up, and even ended up unintentionally marching with a protest on the way to the next event. He describes the scale of the rally setup, including flying dozens of line arrays to cover an enormous crowd, and then later connects that experience to one of the core themes of the episode: fundamentals matter more than fancy gear. The main conversation is sparked by a viral-style audio story: a blind listening test where people could not reliably tell the difference between audio passed through standard copper wire, a banana, or wet mud. Dee Kei and Lu use the article as a jumping-off point to talk about how easy it is for audio culture to become obsessed with mysticism, status, and expensive objects rather than results. They point out that even when engineers care deeply about details, most listeners respond to vibe, emotion, and impact, not the mythology around cables, converters, or obscure technical flexes. From there, the episode expands into a bigger discussion about anti-intellectualism in the Zen sense, not anti-intelligence. The idea is that practical experience, experimentation, and real listening should take priority over rigid theories, cheat sheets, and secondhand rules. They talk about how knowing everything about a compressor on paper is not the same as using it well in context, and how taste and emotional translation are often more important than technical trivia. They connect this to why AI may automate some low-stakes, background-music needs, but will not fully replace the human judgment behind great mixing and music made for music’s sake. The guys also get into the social side of the industry, including how insecurity can show up as a need to prove people wrong, and how being “the smartest person in the room” does not matter if you make everyone miserable. They share stories about people who are technically knowledgeable but communicate with a defensive, correcting energy that makes others want to exit the conversation. Dee Kei frames it as a lack of contentment and an obsession with being right instead of being useful. Later, they bring the conversation back to growth and practice: why daily reps matter, how to get better by accelerating mistake-making, and why it helps to mix for real people with opinions rather than only practicing in a vacuum. They talk about practical ways to practice recording and mixing when you do not have a studio, like using rehearsal spaces, booking an affordable studio day, or working with local bands in exchange for experience. Dee Kei also emphasizes a simple principle he has said before: if you want to get good, start mixing faster and start making decisive choices with intention. To close, they reflect on humility, responsibility, and long-term improvement, including an example of how top performers stay grounded under pressure, plus a nuanced comparison of how gratitude can be framed differently in American versus Japanese culture. The episode ends with a reminder to focus on the craft over the distractions, keep it fun, and keep learning. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Episode 361 of the Mixing Music Podcast, hosts Dee Kei and Lu start with some Super Bowl talk and quickly pivot into a bigger conversation about obsession, creativity, and what actually drives high-level engineers to improve. Dee Kei shares a recent clip he saw from a well-known mixer talking about working extreme hours early on, and how an unhealthy level of obsession can sometimes be part of why people eventually earn enough skill, stability, and confidence to relax later. From there, the episode becomes a deep mindset discussion about craft. Dee Kei argues that great work tends to create money as a consequence, not as a starting motivation, and that when money becomes the primary goal, it can de-incentivize the kind of care and curiosity that lead to truly great records. He uses a story about giving his young son an allowance and watching how the introduction of money changed the child’s relationship to making art. The broader point is that creative work is different than typical product-based entrepreneurship, because art has no built-in finish line and its value is often subjective. They also talk about the difference between loving music and loving the identity of being a producer or engineer. Dee Kei suggests that real obsession is not something you force. It is an alignment that shows up naturally in how you spend your time, what you want to learn, and how much you care even when conditions are not ideal. He shares a C.S. Lewis quote about how favorable conditions never arrive, and why the people who achieve the most are the ones who keep learning and working even when life is inconvenient. Lu adds a practical anchor to the conversation with a reminder that fundamentals beat trendy techniques. Whether you are mixing, recording, or working live sound, focusing on the basics of sound capture, decision-making, and working within limitations is what consistently produces results. They also touch on loudness briefly, including the idea of getting competitively loud while still feeling dynamic, plus how tools like clippers can be used creatively when the foundation of the mix is already solid. The episode wraps with a short story about a Japanese sword parable that illustrates diminishing returns and restraint, tying back to the idea that technical mastery alone is not the point. The bigger goal is making meaningful art with intention, curiosity, and integrity, without reducing the whole process to profit, ego, or external validation. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Episode 360 of the Mixing Music Podcast, hosts Dee Kei and Lu get technical and go deep on loudness, gain staging, and headroom. Dee Kei shares a concern he has been noticing in his own work: he may be leaving loudness on the table over the length of a full song, not just in short-term LUFS moments. They explore the balance between beauty and accessibility, and how loudness is not just a mastering issue, it is a creative dimension that shapes emotion, energy, and perceived impact. The conversation breaks down what gain staging really means in modern mixing, why many classic rules were originally about managing noise, and how today it is more about preserving freedom and control in your workflow. They talk about practical target levels engineers use when hitting plugins, why some mixes feel boxed in when the mix bus is too hot, and how dense sessions can build level fast even when individual tracks are not peaking high. They also zoom out into how loudness decisions translate across mediums. Dee Kei shares how Dolby Atmos delivery constraints can change the feel of a record that relies on aggressive loudness for momentum, and how downmixes can shift balance depending on playback. They touch on the psychological reality that slightly louder often gets perceived as better, even when nothing else changes, and why sending a limited version of your mix to a client can matter for perception and decision-making. To close, they share real-world stories about how playback environments like movie theaters or broadcast chains can unintentionally slam your audio through limiters, plus a reminder that “loud and good” is not a contradiction. This episode is for mixers who want a clearer mental model of loudness, headroom, and gain staging, and how to make those decisions intentionally without destroying the mix. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Episode 359 of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei sits down in Shibuya, Tokyo with Erik Reiff from Black Cat White Cat Music, a music agency working across advertising, film, TV series, games, and publishing. The conversation offers a rare inside look at how brands and agencies actually choose music, and what producers need to understand if they want to land real commercial placements. Erik breaks down how music is sourced for advertising in Japan, including how creative decisions are made, why relationships matter more than cold pitches, and how Japanese and Western expectations around sync, licensing, and royalties can differ. He explains the concept of “tie-ups,” upfront fees, and why some advertising music deals function very differently than traditional backend royalty models. They also get into practical pitching advice for producers and composers, including what makes an outreach email worth opening, why personalization matters, and how professionalism, reliability, and communication often outweigh raw talent. Erik shares his strong stance on not delivering full stems at the final stage, explaining how protecting the approved mix helps preserve the original creative intent. The episode explores cross-cultural communication, Japanese business etiquette, and the role of trust when working with clients. They also discuss AI in advertising music, where automation may increase, and why taste, branding, human judgment, and imperfection still hold real value. This episode is a must-listen for producers, composers, and engineers interested in sync, advertising, international music work, and building sustainable creative careers through relationships rather than hype. The episode closes with a recap on outreach, research, and telling a clear story when you pitch, along with a direct contact point for producers who want to reach out: [email protected] SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

In Episode 358 of the Mixing Music Podcast, hosts Dee Kei and Lu do a loose “New Year, New Goals” conversation focused on real, practical upgrades for working engineers, both technical and career-related. They start with the career side: how easy it is to get comfortable when work is steady, and why that comfort can quietly turn into less outreach, fewer in-person hangs, and slower networking. The guys talk about rebuilding the habit of showing up, saying hi, staying visible, and keeping relationships warm, even when you do not feel desperate for the next client. On the technical side, Dee Kei shares a simple but powerful listening habit for 2026: mixing at lower monitor volume more intentionally. He describes how turning the monitors down can instantly reveal vocal level problems and balance issues, especially when comparing what a limiter is doing to your drums and mix shape. They also get into the challenge of mixing a live performance EP to sound as close to the studio record as possible, including the reality of trying to make live drums feel more like samples. From there, the conversation turns into “skill stacking” and education. They talk about learning tools you may not personally prefer, simply because certain environments demand them, like Pro Tools in many studio workflows or Digico consoles in a lot of festival and live sound situations. They discuss the idea of getting Digico certified, what high-end live consoles are built for (including redundancy features), and why expanding your toolset can help you scale into bigger gigs. They also explore an unexpectedly practical idea: taking community college courses for cheap, from Pro Tools and recording classes to music business, marketing, and even basic economics and personal finance. The point is not chasing a degree, it is staying sharp, learning from experienced teachers, and intentionally investing in growth without going into debt. They wrap the episode by encouraging listeners to choose a technical goal for the year and keep it front of mind, plus a few fun side tangents that are very on brand. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 357 of the Mixing Music Podcast tackles a topic most engineers avoid saying out loud: using substances while mixing, recording, or working live sound. Prompted by a Discord listener question, Dee Kei and Lu break down caffeine, weed, alcohol, psychedelics, and harder drugs through a practical lens, not a moral one. They talk about the difference between feeling more creative versus actually making better decisions, why weed and alcohol can change your mindset without improving your output, and how reliance (even on “normal” stuff like caffeine) can expose deeper issues with impulse control. DK also uses Japan as a real-world counterexample to the idea that drugs are required for creativity, and argues that long-term success in music is driven less by “genius” and more by conscientiousness, reliability, and professionalism. They also cover the career side of the issue: high-level sessions require someone to “drive the ship,” labels and managers value efficiency, and substance use on the job can quietly turn you into a liability even if you think you’re fine. Bottom line: if you choose to partake, understand the risks, keep it responsible, and do not let it steal your hearing, your focus, or your reputation. SUBSCRIBE TO OUR PATREON FOR EXCLUSIVE CONTENT! ⁠SUBSCRIBE TO YOUTUBE⁠ Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord! HIRE DEE KEI HIRE LU ⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ Find Dee Kei and Lu on Social Media: Instagram: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu @JamesParrishMixes Twitter: @DeeKeiMixes @MasteredbyLu The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠, ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠, Sweetwater, ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠, ⁠Lauten Audio⁠, ⁠Filepass⁠, & ⁠Canva⁠ The Mixing Music Podcast is a video and audio series on the art of music production and post-production. Dee Kei, Lu, and James are professionals in the Los Angeles music industry having worked with names like Odetari, 6arelyhuman, Trey Songz, Keyshia Cole, Benny the Butcher, carolesdaughter, Crying City, Daphne Loves Derby, Natalie Jane, charlieonnafriday, bludnymph, Lay Bankz, Rico Nasty, Ayesha Erotica, ATEEZ, Dizzy Wright, Kanye West, Blackway, The Game, Dylan Espeseth, Tara Yummy, Asteria, Kets4eki, Shaquille O'Neal, Republic Records, Interscope Records, Arista Records, Position Music, Capital Records, Mercury Records, Universal Music Group, apg, Hive Music, Sony Music, and many others. This podcast is meant to be used for educational purposes only. This show is filmed and recorded at Dee Kei's private studio in North Hollywood, California. If you would like to sponsor the show, please email us at ⁠[email protected]⁠. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Episode 356 is a reality check for engineers building their career and their room. DK and Lou talk about the stuff that never gets glamorized: studio aesthetics, acoustic panels, learning basic treatment principles, and measuring your space with free tools like Room EQ Wizard. They also dig into the cost of doing business, including overhead, subscriptions, consumables, and even the personal cost of working nights and weekends, and why all of that has to be considered when you set your prices. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy