Mixing a Song From Start to Finish (Udemy.com)
Give your music a professional sound with this step-by-step guide
Created by: Matt Hayes
Last updated June 2018
What you will learn
- create a pop style mix that is ready for mastering
- edit and pitch correct vocals
- use effects such as equalizers, compressors, noise gates, reverb, delay and modulation properly
- setup submix routing
- use automation to change elements in a song
How it compares
Against the other 241 rated Udemy courses in Music Production on CourseDuck:
- Rating4.6 out of 5higher than 60% of them
- Reviews809#43 of 242 by number of reviews
- Length8.1 hourslonger than 77% of them
- Last updatedJune 2018earlier than 86% of them
Course Description
Mixing music can be an overwhelming job sometimes. This course aims to break down the task of mixing in to it's basic steps. Students can follow along with the instructor by downloading the provided audio files and mixing the same song as the instructor used for the lectures.
This course should take several weeks to complete. Allow yourself enough time to digest the material before focusing on the next topic. "Mixing a Song From Start to Finish" is structured to cover the process of mixing a song from the first step to the final step in order.
If you have tried mixing before, and know the basics of audio engineering, you are the perfect candidate for this class. It's time to take your skills to the next level!
Instructor Details
- 4.6 Rating
809 Reviews
Matt Hayes
Audio Instructor at Atlanta Institute of Music and Media
BBA, Florida International University
Avid Certified Pro Tools Instructor
Waves Audio Certified
Certified Higher Education Professional from NASASPS
I have been involved in the music industry for 17 years, and engineering (recording and mixing) for 12 years. Originally, I started out as a musician before becoming involved behind the scenes in recording studios. I have worked in many different genres of music through the years, and I am a voting member for the Grammy Awards.
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Reviews
By Yohai Mualem on 8/27/2025
Very very concise but also very thorough. The longest part is the vocal mixing process,so you have to be patient. Matt explains everything in a nice and well mannered way. I've been mixing for a long time now,and have always wanted to know the basics-what the hell do I do with all the plugins when just using presets?How do I pane correctly?Why do my mixes sound not good enough? So now I think I can make better mixes,so I've stepped up my game,thanks to Matt. I give this course a 10 out of 10 score! RECOMMENDED!!!!!
By Efrain Castro on 2/18/2023
One thing Ive learned about doing online courses, is that to effectively learn. its key to do a follow along method and not just watch, and also of course an instructor that is gifted with being able to explain complex things and simplify them to make it easier to understand. And that is exactly what you get here. took me a couple weeks to make it through the course, but enjoyed every minute. Learned a ton of new tricks and tips. Cant thank you enough Matt for putting this course and your knowledge out to us.
By Holly Santamoor on 1/4/2022
It had a lot of great information from the start. In my opinion, the later sections, Mixing Vocals specifically, could've been shortened or marked optional with a quick summary or any small previously unspoken advice included as a separate video so that it could be optional to spend 3 hours watching it. Otherwise felt like a great course with a great explanation for how stuff works.
By Jeffrey on 10/7/2021
Really enjoyed mixing the provided raw tracks. He went through mixin every track, introducing tools and techniques, like vocal alignment, parallel effect, side chaining, EQ, compression, pitch correction others. Wished he had stuck to core set of stick plugins, so that one can follow easily, and not be overwhelmed with a large variety (though that’s interesting). Gratifying to end class with a fully mixed track that sounds like his. A very practical, no long boring lectures. Highly recommended.
By Toni Marino Moya on 1/19/2021
Really good course to learn the steps to mix. It is exactlly as it is called "from start to finish". Matt Hayes is a really pleasant and explains everything what he is doing and the reason why. For me the biggest point comparing with other courses I have done are the 3 first sections where he explain basic things which are really needed to get a good mix like how to organize the mix or how to import files. Highlighting the section 3 where he explains the main and the most important effects (equalization, reverb, delay and compression). Matt explains really carefully how they work. Thanks Matt!!
By Jofen Kihlström on 1/8/2021
This is by far the best course I've taken on mixing. Hayes is not only professional at his work - he is also an excellent teacher. The process is straightforward and the steps are following a logical structure and process. He explains what he is doing and why he is doing - on several occations, he is also mentioning alternative ways of achieving the same result. I really learned a lot.
By James Swinney on 11/22/2020
First three section were basic but informative. The fourth section is starting to get into decent material, hopefully 5, 6, an 7 will keep with what 4 has started.
By William Halliden on 11/15/2020
Great, have the actual audio files, so it is really learning by doing... theory is on 20% of learning.. doing is 80% of learning!! great job!!!
By Robert Parson on 11/15/2020
Took to long to setup
By Marc Michel on 10/23/2020
Great tips, nicely done ...and helping me well organized my sessions thanks again
By Dexter Pierpont on 10/23/2020
Meeste had ik al kennis over. Zijn uitleg over compressie vond ik wel goed
By Mason Deanda on 10/9/2020
New quad its helpful
Quality Score
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Overall Score : 92 / 100








