Mixing & Mastering

Learn to mix and master your first release-ready track

A hands-on audio engineering course where you take a track from a rough mix to a polished, release-ready master, all on your laptop without expensive studio gear.

5.0 Google rating

from 200+ reviews, more reviews than any other music production school

Ableton Certified Training Center

1 of 119 worldwide

Active artists as instructors

not career educators

Taught at our NYC location

Also available in Berlin and online

Course at a glance

Duration
Duration

11 weeks

Level
Level

Advanced

Start Dates
Start Dates

Sept 28

Class size
Class size

5-10 pax

DAW
DAW

Any (Ableton, Logic, FL Studio, etc.)

Final Project
Final Project

A release-ready mix and master

Course outcomes

You'll finish with real music

Over the course you take a track from a rough mix to a finished master. By the final class you'll have mixed and mastered a commercial-sounding track ready for release.

Check out the tracks students have already released:

What you'll accomplish in this course

Set up your mix

Set up your mix

Balance levels and EQ

Balance levels and EQ

Control dynamics with compression

Control dynamics with compression

Create depth and space

Create depth and space

Build a mastering chain

Build a mastering chain

Export streaming-ready masters

Export streaming-ready masters

Course Journey

What you'll learn week by week

Foundations and mix tools
Class 1

Intro and preparing your mix: Understand the roles of mixing and mastering, the basics of sound and hearing, and your monitoring setup, then use references and prep a session for a rough mix.

Class 2

EQ and filters: Read a spectrum analyzer, use the three EQ curves and filters, and apply subtractive and additive EQ to fix masking and shape tone.

Class 3

Dynamics part 1: Use compressor controls (threshold, attack, release, ratio), read gain reduction, and apply bus compression and sidechain ducking.

Dynamics, space and low end
Class 4

Dynamics part 2: Use gates and expanders, tell clippers from limiters and when to use each, and add saturation.

Class 5

Mono, stereo and time based effects: Check mono compatibility and phase, and use reverb and delay through sends and returns.

Class 6

Rhythm section and low end: Set genre appropriate kick, bass and sub levels, process and pan drums, duck bass with kick, and use parallel processing.

Mixing instruments and vocals
Class 7

Vocal centric songs: Edit and level vocals with clip gain and automation, use compression and EQ, tame sibilance, and place reverb and delay.

Class 8

Synths, guitars and other instruments: Set each instrument's role, level and panning, use EQ and dynamics to manage masking, and apply creative effects and bus processing.

Finalizing and mastering
Class 9

Finalizing the mix: Add automation and modulation, check translation across systems, and bounce the mix at proper levels.

Class 10

Mastering part 1: Measure loudness (peak, true peak, LUFS), set up and use a basic mastering chain, and export to spec for each platform.

Class 11

Mastering part 2 and presentations: Master an EP for consistency, refine your mastering chain, and present your finished master for feedback.

Value

What's included?

Everything you need to learn, practice, and keep improving after class.

Small group feedback

Personal feedback from pro producers so you improve faster

Perform live in a club

Play a real set in front of an audience

Small group feedback

Personal feedback from pro producers so you improve faster

Hands on assignments

Apply new concepts each week and use them to build your track

Exclusive discounts

Save up to 50% on selected software

343 Labs certificate

Receive a Certificate of Completion at the end of the course

Some of your instructors

Learn from active producers

Mentorship from active producers, performers, and engineers shaping today's electronic music scene.

Stella Key
65M+ StreamsClub DJ

Stella Key

Producer DJ Vocal Producer

Producer, DJ, and topliner with releases and collaborations.

Great Dane
TeamSupremeFestival Artist

Great Dane

Producer DJ TeamSupreme Founder

Touring producer DJ and TeamSupreme founder known for bass music production.

John Selway
Techno ArtistLabel Owner

John Selway

Techno Producer DJ Label Owner

NYC techno artist and label owner with decades of releases and touring.

Hear from our students

300+ 5-star reviews
Tess Bianchi Tess Bianchi
Posted on Google

I took the in person Ableton Immersive class and it was amazing! My teacher (Dane) was so knowledgable and inspirational. I feel really comfortable using Ableton now and have two tracks from the class. Also going in person was nice because it kept me accountable. It’s cool that 343 even has that offering since so many people are doing remote only classes. I definitely hesitated at first, but I thought. If I was going to take do a masters program, I would stop working and pay wayyy more money, and I want to learn it so why not do it? That was one of the best decisions of my life. If you are hesitating, just do it! It’s totally worth it.

Shaun Farrugia Shaun Farrugia
Posted on Google

I love taking classes with 343 Labs. I started in 2019, completely fresh. I knew nothing about production or music! If you’re serious about pursuing music production and want to make an investment in yourself, 343 labs was a great place for me to start my journey and figure out what I want to do. It really feels like a community here. The teachers know thier stuff; John Selway and Abe Duque teach here. I took the 2 Ableton Live classes along with Synthesizers for producers. These classes gave me a pretty good grounding in these tools. It’s also helped me navigate the technical depth in this industry. Solid investment for me!

Kristen Barry Kristen Barry
Posted on Google

I have nothing but wonderful things to say about my experience at 343 labs. Instructors are incredibly talented and knowledgeable. Class sizes are small enough that you get a ton of personalized attention and you can learn from the other student’s work as well. No matter what kind of music you want to make, instructors and classmates offer super valuable feedback. If you’ve ever thought about learning how to make electronic music or getting a more intimate understanding of Ableton, Logic, mixing/mastering, etc (they have tons of different courses) I can’t think of a better place.

Jason Todd Jason Todd
Posted on Google

I cannot say enough good things about our experiences with 343 Labs! My teenage son has spent two summers in the 343 Labs summer program (in person last year and online this year) and absolutely loved it. The instructors are all experienced professionals who are equally gifted teachers. My son loves music production (he’s a very advanced student and practitioner for his age) and he’s learned so much in the program. We’ve found 343 Labs to be a nurturing, educational and fun environment that has had extremely positive influence on his development and joy of making music. Everyone at 343 Labs has been incredibly supportive of my son and gone out of their way to stay connected, continually encouraging his development in the most generous and sincere fashion. I should also mention that the facilities are fantastic if you plan to attend in person, but they also do a magnificent job teaching their courses online. Music production is well suited to teaching remotely and with so many activities cancelled now due to COVID its wonderful to have an activity that my son can participate in remotely. We are so happy to be part of the 343 community and I wholeheartedly encourage anyone considering taking classes at 343 Labs to do so. They are the real deal.

Théau Ravier Théau Ravier
Posted on Google

I moved from France just to take the classes and don’t regret my decision. The teachers are high level, we were only 3/4 students on each class, and it really pushed me to learn hards things that i would never have bothered self teaching. I really saw the value of going to a physical location for discipline purpose. Also Berlin is the place to be for networking. And networking is 50% of the job!
Thanks Max, keep it up!!

life-changing
It's not only the classes they offer.
community
343labs fosters a great community.
live performance
Tonight we're performing on stage.

PRICING & SCHEDULE

Mixing & Mastering [NYC]

Mixing & Mastering [NYC]

Choose your start date and lock in your spot

Schedule: Sept 27-Dec 13, 2026, (no class 29), Sundays, 12:15-3pm

Unsure? Talk to our team

FAQS

Still have questions?

Producers who can make a track but want it to sound polished and release ready.

Yes, some. This is an advanced course, so you should be comfortable producing and have made a few tracks of your own before joining.

A commercial sounding mix and master of your own track, ready to release.

A laptop, headphones and any DAW you like (Ableton, Logic, FL Studio and so on). You do not need to own any mixing plug-ins; we recommend options throughout.

You can book a private make-up class for a reduced fee.

Yes. Flexible monthly payment plans are available through Affirm so you can spread the cost.

Call 1-800-243-3405 or schedule a free Zoom with Nacho. We look forward to speaking with you.