Mixing Music | Music Production, Audio Engineering, & Music Business

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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 was 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].

In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu dive deep into the mindset shifts that separate beginners from professionals. From punctuality to pricing, ego to empathy, and burnout to balance, they unpack the biggest misconceptions creatives have about the music industry — and what actually builds a sustainable career.

Learn why creativity isn’t the most valuable skill, why accolades don’t create stability, and how humility, reliability, and self-awareness can take you further than gear or talent ever could. Plus, the guys break down the myth of hustle culture, the psychology of pricing, and even debunk the “perfect hearing” myth with humor and honesty.

Whether you’re chasing your first credits or building your tenth studio, this episode is a masterclass in creative maturity — a reminder that in music, success isn’t about working harder; it’s about working wiser, kinder, and with purpose.

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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]⁠.

earn how to get clean, upfront, professional-sounding vocals without guesswork. In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu break down the top five vocal mixing mistakes and the exact ways to fix them. You will hear why too many narrow high-Q EQ cuts remove character, how to set attack and release for musical compression, when to use parallel compression, and why reverb and delay must be automated for movement and depth. The guys also cover context and referencing so your tonal choices fit the genre and era, plus essential quality control to catch pops, clicks, tuning misses, and bad edits before delivery. Finish with a practical mindset shift: the best mixers are the best communicators, so talk to the artist and get the target sound before you touch a knob.

What you will learn

• Smarter EQ: limit surgical notches, use wider moves, reference the right records
• Compression that works: signs of over-compression, breath and sibilance control, parallel options, dialing attack and release
• Reverb and delay that serve the song: EQ your verbs, automate throws and levels, use dryness for intimacy
• Context is everything: genre trends, artist preferences, prior discography, talk to the client first
• Quality control checklist: fades, pops and clicks, tuning, file naming, reliable delivery

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⁠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]⁠.

In Part 2 of our conversation with business coach Michael J. Morgan, we go deeper into the mindset, systems, and emotional intelligence every creative needs to thrive in 2025 and beyond.

Dee Kei and Michael talk about AI-proofing your business, why competing on price is dead, and how to build a client experience rooted in story, care, and transformation. This isn’t about hustling harder — it’s about building a sustainable creative practice that reflects who you are.

Whether you’re a mix engineer, producer, or freelancer in any field, this episode will show you how to:

• Sell transformation, not deliverables
• Build systems that support creative flow
• Charge more by creating emotional value
• Stay relevant as AI changes the industry
• Lead with care, clarity, and confidence

The music industry is evolving fast — but the future belongs to those who know how to serve deeply, tell better stories, and build human trust.

https://mjm.earth

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]⁠.

In this episode Dee Kei sits down with business coach Michael J. Morgan to unpack the 14 essentials every mix engineer needs to run a sustainable, profitable career. If your mixes are great but your calendar and bank account don’t show it, this episode is for you. Michael and DK dig into why systems beat skill, how to sell transformations not hours, and why 80% of meaningful work comes from relationships — not ads. You’ll learn practical steps for onboarding, pricing, content that attracts artists (not peers), tracking the numbers that matter, and the mindset work that removes self-sabotaging narratives. Real, human-centered advice for mixers who want fewer revision cycles, better clients, and a business that lasts.

https://mjm.earth/

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]⁠.

Join hosts Dee Kei and Lu on this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast as they dive into the timeless mantra: "Preparation Meets Opportunity." Kicking off with hilarious travel stories—from grueling flights to Russia with layovers in Turkey to epic childhood road trips—they quickly pivot to real-talk advice for music producers, engineers, and artists.

Drawing from personal anecdotes (without naming names), they break down common pitfalls in recording sessions, like unprepared templates, poor communication, and failing to control a chaotic room. Learn practical tips for smooth workflows: practice your DAW templates, prioritize artist needs, and think "for the art" to capture those lightning-in-a-bottle moments.

The conversation expands to mixing and mastering—handling client notes without ego, organizing projects with tools like Trello, and daily communication to avoid "falling through the cracks." For live sound pros, they cover feedback prevention, rider communication, and making quick decisions with no room for revisions.

Things get philosophical toward the end, exploring branding, professionalism, humility, and clearing your conscience to build trust and reliability in the industry. Whether you're battling self-doubt, seeking validation, or just wanting to stand out, Dee Kei and Lu emphasize dignity, honor, and purposeful action to turn preparation into lasting success.

Perfect for aspiring mixers, producers, and live engineers—tune in for actionable insights, laughs, and motivation to level up your music career. Subscribe for more episodes on music production tips and industry stories.

In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu sit down with Eric Sarafin—better known as Mixerman, author of Zen and the Art of Mixing—to discuss his new book Mixerman’s Ultimate Guide to Producing Records, Music and Songs. We dive deep into what it really means to be a producer today, why arrangement and songwriting matter more than obsessing over plugins, and how home producers can still make professional records. From studio acoustics and mixing philosophies to the business side of contracts and working with artists, Mixerman shares decades of wisdom on creating music that connects. Whether you’re a bedroom producer, an aspiring engineer, or a seasoned mixer, this episode is packed with insights on how to build better productions, develop your artistic identity, and survive the modern music industry.

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]⁠.

Thank you for being a subscriber to this exclusive content!

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⁠Join the ‘Mixing Music Podcast’ Discord!⁠ (https://discord.gg/s2WrUg8)

⁠HIRE DEE KEI⁠ (https://deekeimixes.com)

⁠HIRE JAMES⁠ (https://www.jamesparrishmixes.com/)

Find Dee Kei and James on Social Media:

Instagram: ⁠@DeeKeiMixes⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/deekeimixes/) ⁠ (https://www.instagram.com/jamesdeanmixes/)JamesParrishMixes (https://www.instagram.com/jamesparrishmixes/)

Twitter: ⁠@DeeKeiMixes⁠ (https://www.twitter.com/deekeimixes) 

The Mixing Music Podcast is sponsored by ⁠Izotope⁠ (https://izotope.com/mmpodcast), ⁠Antares (Auto Tune)⁠ (https://app.redcircle.com/shows/antarestech.sjv.io/WDDyOO), Sweetwater (https://mixingmusicpodcast.com/sweetwater), ⁠Plugin Boutique⁠ (https://pluginboutique.com/?a_aid=604322feb04e4), ⁠Lauten Audio⁠ (https://www.lautenaudio.com/), ⁠Filepass⁠ (https://filepass.com/?fpr=twb41), & ⁠Canva⁠ (https://partner.canva.com/e44vg6)

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, charlieonnafri

day, 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]⁠ (mailto:[email protected])

In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, DK and Lu dive into the psychology behind music industry success. They break down the concept of locus of control—whether you believe your career is driven by luck, external forces, or your own actions—and how this mindset shapes your growth as an audio engineer, producer, or artist.

From learned helplessness to empowerment, they explore why some talented people never get their break, how cognitive biases influence our perception of success, and why faith, sacrifice, and clear values can be the hidden tools to thriving in music.

Whether you’re chasing Grammys or just trying to stay consistent in the studio, this episode will challenge you to reframe your mindset, take responsibility for what’s in your control, and build a healthier, more empowered career in audio.

👉 Perfect for mixing engineers, producers, and musicians who want to sharpen not just their technical skills but their mental game too.

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]⁠.

Big reverbs are out, intimacy is in. In this episode of the Mixing Music Podcast, Dee Kei and Lu break down why room reverbs and short reverbs are some of the most underrated tools in modern mixing. From making vocals feel natural to giving drums the depth of a live room, room verbs can glue your mix together without drowning it in washy tails.

We also dive into the shift from long Post Malone–style reverbs to today’s drier, punchier sound, the plugins we rely on most (Valhalla Vintage Verb, Valhalla Room, UAD Ocean Way, Cooper Time Cube), and why EQing your reverbs is essential for clarity. Beyond the technical, we talk about the unpredictability of the music industry, why labels can’t manufacture guaranteed hits, and why the only real “secret sauce” is loving the music enough to keep creating.

Topics covered:

• Why room reverbs make mixes sound natural and alive
• How to add depth without washing out vocals or instruments
• Favorite reverb plugins for vocals, guitars, and drums
• Why EQing reverbs can make or break a mix
• The myth of “secret formulas” in hit songs
• Why unpredictability makes the industry more fair than it looks

Whether you’re chasing a more professional sound or just want your mixes to feel more real, this episode will give you both technical takeaways and perspective on what really 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]⁠.