How to Know When Your Mix Is Done (Fresh Ears Test)
One of the hardest parts of mixing isn’t EQ or compression — it’s knowing when your mix is actually done. In this member story, we explore how f…
Author: Dana Nielsen
Dana Nielsen is a Grammy-nominated mixer, engineer, producer, and multi-instrumentalist known for his work with SZA, Rihanna, Adele, Post Malone, The Smashing Pumpkins, Neil Young, Justin Timberlake, Weezer, The Avett Brothers, Bob Dylan, and Kanye West. A frequent collaborator with legendary producer, Rick Rubin, Nielsen has amassed credits that run the stylistic gamut from Neil Diamond to Slayer and just about everything in between.
The Loudness Test You’re Not Using
Forget LUFS for a moment. This real-world loudness test uses your ears, not meters, to tell you if your mix is actually working.
🔊 FREE Metering Plugin I Actually Use (No Joke)
Meter nerds, this one’s for you. A genuinely useful free metering plugin I use all the time for loudness and mix checks.
REALmix Live: Mixing “Veronica” (Notre Dame Folk Choir feat. Emma Frank)
Watch Dana Nielsen mix “Veronica” in real time with the songwriters present. Stereo acoustic guitars, vocal focus, and real mix decisions—no edi…
Home Studio Q&A Replay: Apollo Routing, Headroom & Release Strategy
A fun, fast-paced home studio Q&A packed with real questions from producers, mixers, and artists. In this replay, Dana dives into mixing headroom, voc…
Come hang? Free mixing/recording Q&A this Friday 👀
Hey Reader! Quick heads up: I’m hosting a free, super-casual Home Studio Q&A this Friday at 11am Pacific, and I’d love for you to join me. No …
✅ Proof your home studio is good enough
Mt. Joy just dropped a track I mixed… from my home studio. Here’s what it means for your next mix—and how to learn the process.
👀 Music Mixlab Debut + Grab This Plug-in Now!
Level up your mixes with early access to Music MixLAB + my 'secret weapon' compressor is on SALE for $49!
👀 Music Mixlab Debut + Grab This Plug-in Now!
Level up your mixes with early access to Music MixLAB. Plus, my 'secret weapon' compressor is on SALE for $49!
🎛️ Essential File Delivery Hacks, Guitar Sustain Tips & More! 🎶
🔊 From time-saving Mac hacks to deep-dive mix tips, this week’s newsletter is packed with gems. Jump in and level up! 🎛️✨
Zoom Replay: Member Meet-up – Feb 26, 2025
Mix Protégé members explore studio gear, plugins, mixing techniques, and freelancing tips with host Dana Nielsen in this insightful Zoom Q&A replay!
Zoom Replay: Member Meet-up – Feb 20, 2025
Join our music production community as we dive into microphone techniques, vocal recording, and compression tips with host Dana Nielsen in this Zoom Q…
Batch Rename Audio Files with ‘A Better Finder’
A Better Finder Rename by publicspace.net is a powerful batch renaming tool for Mac OS that is time-saving, inexpensive, and indispensable for audio p…
Replay: Member Meet-up Zoom 2025-02-12
Join us as we explore the art of music mixing, sharing insights on creative freedom, collaboration, and finding the perfect sound.
Winter WONDERLAND Like You’ve Never Seen Before!
Enjoy our family & friends rendition of "Winter Wonderland" - complete with kids choir and crazy behind-the-scenes recording studio antics!
🎧 New Mix Feedback, Exclusive Webinar Replay & Interview Insights!
Faders Forever newsletter Hey Reader! We’ve got some exciting updates and community highlights to kick off your weekend, including valuable mix feed…
Secret Sonics #219 – Dana Nielsen Part 2: Vocal Production Mastery
Grammy-nominated recording engineer, mixer, producer, Dana Nielsen speaks with Secret Sonics hosts Ben Wallick and Carl Bahner about vocal production …
🎛️ Perfect Compression: Free Live Event + Top Mixing Tips!
Faders Forever newsletter Hey Reader, Hope your week's off to a great start! 🕺🏻 We've got some exciting content lined up for you, including a sp…
Secret Sonics #218 – Dana Nielsen Part 1: The Art of Studio Diplomacy
Grammy-nominated recording engineer, mixer, producer, Dana Nielsen speaks with Secret Sonics hosts Ben Wallick and Carl Bahner about recording studio …
🌾 Top Tips for Perfect Indie Folk Vocals!
Faders Forever newsletter Hey Reader, Happy Wednesday! 🎉 We're back with some of the hottest content from Mix Protégé to keep your creative juice…
Mixing Indie Folk Vocals (feat Cammy Kurtzman)
In this livestream event, Dana Nielsen from Mix Protégé and indie-folk artist Cammy Kurtzman collaborate to achieve a warm, intimate vocal sound for…
Strymon BigSky Plugin: Reverb Review
Introducing the Strymon BigSky Multi-Reverb Plugin. Watch producer Dana Nielsen create a song from scratch using BigSky reverb on every track!
🎚️ How important are reference mixes?
by Dana Nielsen Hey Reader! Ever wondered how I use reference tracks or manage my mix bus before mastering? 🤔 This week at Mix Protégé, we’ve b…
🎛️ Mixing SZA, Engineering Bob Dylan, Collaborating with Rick Rubin
Hey Reader! You won't want to miss these recent Mix Protégé gems 💎 including how I got my start as a 20-year-old Pro Audio sales guy at Guitar Ce…
Mixing SZA, Engineering Bob Dylan, Collaborating with Rick Rubin
In this episode, Ari and ATA student Dana Nielsen, a Grammy-nominated mixing and engineering master, discuss his home studio setup, career, and supers…
❤️ You’ll LUFS this limiter trick!
Hi Reader, Mix Protégé has been buzzing with activity and inspiration recently, and I can’t wait to share the highlights with you! Our Member Spot…
Protégés Produce Debut Single, “17” by Zelda
Mix Protégé founder Dana Nielsen, and member Michael Leto, join forces on "17," the debut single from teen singer-songwriter, Zelda.
Capturing Hit Record Moments: Vocal Production Tips with Dana Nielsen
I'm so stoked to share this amazing conversation with Travis Ference for Episode 107 of his wonderful Progressions podcast! This was such a fun hang…
🎬 NEW VIDEO: The secret to overdubbing live performances!
My latest video shows how I create a tempo map in Pro Tools to sync with a natural, non-clicked recording. Watch my entire tempo mapping process as I …
How To Create a Tempo Map in Pro Tools
In this video I'll show how I create a tempo map in Pro Tools to sync with a natural, non-clicked recording. Watch my entire tempo mapping process as …
🎛️ Are stock EQ plugins good enough??
Greetings from 28,000 feet above the globe! ✈️ After a productive week of record-making at Echo Mountain Studios in Asheville, North Carolina, I'…
😳 It’s like you’re IN THE STUDIO w/ me!
January 7, 2024
Your weekend Mix Protégé recap by Dana Nielsen
Happy New Year, Reader! The past two weeks have been a blur and I'm excited to be…
ZELDA “Carry On” – 360º Video BTS
I captured this recording session BTS (behind the scenes) footage using an Insta360 X3 camera while musical artist, Zelda, recorded her song "Carry On…
🤔 Is this what your vocals are missing?
Dec 24, 2023
Cheers 🥂 to another inspiring, productive week on Mix Protége! The highlight for me was hearing some stunning in-progress mixes by o…
Nielsens Rockin’ Christmas
Enjoy FOUR new songs this season, from our family recording studio to yours! From Dana Nielsen, Roxi Jet, and Mix Protégé. Each year around Christma…
🫨 Mix-inspired “stank face” + FREE plug-ins
Dec 16, 2023
Your weekend Mix Protégé recap by Dana Nielsen
What an amazing, action-packed week on Mix Protége! The highlight for me was hangin…
Live Replay: Mixing “Hope” with Ike Sturm
In this live mixing session streamed from my Los Angeles studio, I take you through the entire process of mixing 'Hope,' a captivating movement from I…
🎯 Shoot outs: How to pick the best mix
Dec 10, 2023
Your weekend Mix Protégé recap by Dana NielsenSome links require login • create your free account today
Shoot outs: How to pick…
Transcribing & Recording an Iconic Holiday Sax Solo
I transcribed and recorded Boots Randolph's iconic sax solo for an upcoming Nielsen family rendition of "Rockin Around the Christmas Tree." It felt g…
🎚️ Friday Fader: I’m pretty sure this is legal…
Step into your studio slippers and sidechain that Distressor with a steady drip of eggnog... It's time for the Friday Fader - your Mix Protégé peek …
Black Friday Roundup
What's everyone buying (or spying) for Black Friday?!
I thought it'd be fun to share with each other all the best deals! There are so many good one…
🎚️ Friday Fader: How is this FREE?! 😲
Hi Reader!
I'm comin' in HOT with another incredible livestream replay for you to enjoy this weekend. In this live mixing session streamed from my Lo…
LIVE Replay: Mixing “Joy Is” with Ike Sturm
In this live mixing session streamed from my Los Angeles studio, I take you through the entire process of mixing 'Joy Is,' a captivating movement from…
🏈 Friday Fader: Mixed by Mike Ditka?
Things people say: It’s Friday! Things self-employed people say: It’s Friday?
Oh, the amazing truth in that quote. Happy Friday, peeps, and welco…
🎚️ Friday Fader: Free Software and Fresh Jams!
FREE Ozone 11 EQ from Izotope, FREE professional notation software, Member Spotlight mix feedback, and new music from Mamahawk!
🎚️ Friday Fader: 4-Steps to EQ ANYTHING!
Salutations, studio savages!
Rip open that Costco-sized bag of Halloween candy you "bought for tricker treaters" and strap-in for a sugar rush... it's…
🎚️ Friday Fader: scared of buying the WRONG mic!?
TGIF: Turn Gain, Increase Fader!
Happy Friday, friends! We've had some vibrant forum discussions this week, a fun new microphone comparison video, an…
JZ Microphones on Vocals: V67, V12 and BH2
JZ Microphones on vocals are a no-brainer. The Vintage 67, Vintage 12, and Black Hole BH2 have become staples in my studio over the past few years.�…
🎚️ Friday Fader: Ghostly Re-amping 👻
What is re-amping anyway? Re-amping is the super-fun process of sending a pre-recorded performance from your DAW (or other recording device) out to a…
🎚️ Friday Fader: Fix it at THE SOURCE? 🧐
Salutations, studio savages!
Slip on your boogie shoes, it's time for the Friday Fader - your weekly recap of Mix Protégé goodness!
Who'm I kiddin…
🎚️ Friday Fader: Are you following the rules?
Are pan rules helpful? Do they exist at all? 🛸👽 Take that panning guidance you received in the past and throw it IMMEDIATELY in the garbage!
🎚️ Friday Fader: Give those drums a haircut!
"How often are y'all using clipping plugins, and in what way?" We had some excellent recommendations and use cases from the community, and it inspired…
Brainworx BX_Clipper
Audio "clippers" seem to be all the rage these days so I took one for a spin ... and LOVED it! The Brainworx BX_Clipper did just what I needed. Fast…
🎚️ Friday Fader: Chaos to clarity in 4 simple steps
Check out this 4-step chaos-clarifying process I use on every mix, plus helpful insights from fellow members too!
Sync Gems Podcast: Working With Rick Rubin, Staying Humble & Going The Extra Mile w/ Dana Nielsen
In this episode Grammy-nominated engineer and mixer Dana Nielsen takes us on a journey through his illustrious career, having collaborated with music …
Master Your Mix Podcast: Capturing Pro Vocals
I recently sat down for a wonderful conversation with Mike Indovina, founder of MasterYourMix.com, about producing, mixing, and capturing pro vocals.