Mix Secrets

Where does a young mix engineer learn the techniques to deliver hit rock mixes? In Dan Lancaster’s case, right here!

Working on Muse’s hit album Drones gave Tommaso Colliva and Rich Costey unique insight into the extraordinary methods of hitmaking producer ‘Mutt’ Lange.

The art of music production lies in serving the song — and working with James Taylor, Dave O’Donnell felt that modern production trends would hinder his aim of capturing emotive performances.

A combination of technical wizardry and old-school craft helped Bernie Herms and Andy Selby bring Josh Groban’s Broadway album to life.

In the making of Alabama Shakes’ Sound & Color, producer Blake Mills and engineer Shawn Everett had almost unheard–of licence to experiment — and took full advantage.

Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp A Butterfly is one of the most ambitious hip-hop albums of recent years. Derek Ali was Lamar’s right-hand man during its making.

A unique and inspired choice of collaborators helped Björk blend powerful emotion with restless experimentation.

Producer and engineer Rob Kirwan oversaw Hozier’s commercial breakthrough — by concentrating on the least commercial aspects of his music.

Channelling their shared love of ’50s kitsch, Kevin Kadish and Meghan Trainor created 2014’s most talked-about hit single — and turned Trainor into a superstar overnight.

For Rivers Cuomo and Weezer, going back to basics meant a reunion with one of the biggest names in rock mixing: Tom Lord-Alge.

In search of reality, Leonard Cohen convinced his producer Patrick Leonard to abandon his hang-ups about using sampled instruments.

Tom Petty’s first US number one album was mixed almost entirely without hardware — and with only two plug-ins!

For Jack White, analogue recording is not about looking back to the past, but choosing the ideal medium for his art.

When an unknown act such as Sam Smith hits the big time, there's often an experienced producer behind the scenes — like Steve Fitzmaurice...

Engineer and producer Dani Castelar accompanied Paolo Nutini through three years and 11 studios to make his acclaimed new album Caustic Love.

As producer, engineer and mixer, Andy Wallace has done more than anyone to define the sound of modern rock and metal.

With thumbprint data security and track counts in the thousands, the scoring process for sci‑fi movie Divergent was close to science fiction itself!

The biggest hit of 2014 is a triumph of minimalism — and a triumph for mix engineer Leslie Brathwaite.

The success of Disney's Frozen underlines the importance of music in film, whether it be as songs or soundtracks.

Despite recording mainly live, Arcade Fire spent more than a year recording Reflektor. It was up to Korey Richey and Mark Lawson to get the results to tape.

When I first looked at the Jake Bugg sessions, I was like, 'Wow, this is really stripped-back.'