How to give mix feedback your engineer can use: listen to the whole mix, then send one list with timestamps, the result you want, and a reference with a timestamp. Put the most important notes first and name the version you approve.
“Send a consolidated list of notes for each round.”
Want an engineer who reads every note? Every tier with me includes 3 revision rounds, priced in the Builder before you pay.
Price my mix01 / BEFORE NOTESWhat should you do before you write notes?
Listen to the whole mix once without writing anything, on something you know well. Then go back to the moments that bugged you.
Use the file I sent you, not a phone recording of your speakers. A re-recorded copy changes the sound before you judge it. Soneam’s guide makes the same point.
02 / ONE LISTWhy send one list per round?
Every tier includes 3 rounds of revisions, and I ask for one consolidated list of notes for each round.
If your producer, manager and co-writer all have notes, agree on one list before it comes to me. Two lists that disagree turn into a round spent guessing. See my mix & master packages and Project Builder.
03 / TIMESTAMPSHow do you point at the right moment?
Put minutes and seconds on every note, and a range if it covers a section (1:42–2:05).
| Vague | Usable |
|---|---|
| "The vocals need work." | "0:48–1:12, the lead vocal sits behind the keys. I want every word clear, like the verse at 0:30." |
| "Make the chorus bigger." | "At 1:42, the chorus doesn't lift past the verse. I want it to open up the way my reference does at 1:05." |
| "Drums sound off." | "Throughout, the snare feels thin. I'd like more body, closer to the reference at 0:40." |
| "Too much reverb." | "2:10–2:25, the vocal sounds far away. I want it closer and drier in that section." |
| "Make it hit." | "At 3:02, the drop should hit harder. Right now it feels the same as the verse." |
Each usable note has three parts: where, what you hear, what you want.
Illustrative examples, written for this post. Notetracks’ guide to mix revision notes also explains why timestamps make a request easier to act on.
04 / THE RESULTDo you need technical words?
No. Describe what you hear and what you want instead: closer, brighter, bigger, every word clear. If you have a plugin in mind, mention it, but tell me the effect you're after. I might get there a different way.
If you do know the terms, great, use them. Just don't let them replace the feeling you're describing.
Mixing your own vocal? Start with how to mix vocals in Logic Pro.
05 / LOUDNESSWhy does the louder version always sound better?
A louder playback tends to sound fuller and more exciting, even with the same mix underneath. On the page for my mastering service, I say: “A louder version can sound more impressive.”
- Turn them to the same volume before comparing two versions or a reference.
- Remember a released reference is mastered and probably louder than a mix in progress.
- Judge the balance, not the volume.
Read how loud should my master be for more on loudness.
06 / LISTEN ON TWOWhere should you listen?
Start on headphones or speakers you know well, then check one other system you know, like your car or earbuds. As I've said about my own listening, “usually I check low end on monitors.”
Write which system a note came from: “bass too big in the car” tells me something different from “bass too big on AirPods.” That's the translation check.
07 / REFERENCESHow do you use a reference song?
Send a link with a timestamp and say exactly what you're pointing at: vocal level, drum punch, or how wide the chorus feels. Be specific about the qualities you're after; the reference guides the direction while your arrangement stays your own.
See my guide to references.
08 / PRIORITIESHow do you rank your notes?
Put the 3 most important notes at the top, and tell me what's working too, so I don't change it. “Love the verse vocal, don't touch it” saves me from fixing what isn't broken.
09 / TEMPLATEWhat does a good notes list look like?
Copy this.
SONG: [title] — MIX v[number] LISTENED ON: [headphones / car / phone / speakers] REFERENCE: [link] at [timestamp] — I like [what, exactly] TOP 3 (most important first): 1. [time] [part]: [what I hear] → [what I want] 2. [time] [part]: [what I hear] → [what I want] 3. [time] [part]: [what I hear] → [what I want] OTHER NOTES: - [time] [part]: [what I hear] → [what I want] KEEP (don't change): - [what's working]
“Overcommunicate here; it saves a revision round later.” That's from my File Prep Guide. See how to prepare tracks for mixing or keep the free file-prep guide handy.
10 / APPROVEHow do you approve a mix?
Name the version. “Mix v3 is approved” is all I need to send final files. If you still feel unsure, say what's bugging you rather than approving and hoping.
If your engineer already gets your sound, you don't need a new one. Use this template with them.
For revision terms, my questions to ask a mixing engineer guide covers what to ask.
11 / QUICK ANSWERSFAQ
How do I give good feedback on a mix?
Listen to the whole mix first, then send one list with a timestamp on every note and the result you want in plain words. Add a reference with a timestamp and say clearly which version you approve.
Do I need to know technical terms?
No. Say what you hear and what you want instead, like "the vocal feels far away at 2:10, I want it closer." I'll handle the technical side.
How many revision rounds do I get?
With me, every tier includes 3 rounds of revisions. I ask for one consolidated list of notes for each round.
Why does the louder mix sound better?
A louder playback tends to sound fuller and more exciting even when the mix is the same. Turn both versions to the same volume before you compare.
How should I use a reference song?
Send a link with a timestamp and name exactly what you like: the vocal level, the drum punch, how wide the chorus feels. The reference shows the direction while your song stays your own.
What should I listen on?
Start on headphones or speakers you know well, then check one other system, like your car. Note which system each comment came from.
What if my whole team has notes?
Agree on one list before you send it. Notes that contradict each other make a round harder to use.
How do I approve a mix?
Name the version, like "Mix v3 is approved." That's my signal to send your final files.
Sources checked November 5, 2026: Soneam — How to give feedback on a mix; Notetracks — Mix revision notes.
Send me a song and your notes
Mix & master with 3 revision rounds in every tier, priced by track count in the Builder before you pay.
Open the Project Builder Mix & master packagesTHE PRESET VAULT
Mixing your own? My Logic Pro mix template and vocal presets are in the Preset Vault.
TALK THROUGH YOUR NOTES
Stuck on notes for a mix you already have? Book a 30-minute consult ($49.99), start with a $100 test mix, or send me a message.
Award-winning mix engineer and producer. Dove Award–nominated records with Social Club Misfits & Lecrae, and work for Warner Music Group and Universal Music Group.