The Four Main Elements Involved in Making a Mix 

1. Level setting

This involves balancing the level of each sound with respect to the other sounds. 

2. Equalization (EQ)

Carefully adjusting the timbre of each sound can make the difference between a muddy mix and a masterpiece.

3. Stereo placement (Panning)

Stereo allows us to create a soundstage for our instruments. Proper stereo placement results in an open-sounding, full mix.

4. Ambience and special effects

Applying ambience, such as reverb and echo, adds a third dimension-depth-to the otherwise two-dimensional left/right soundstage created by stereo placement. Special effects include limiting, compression, phase shifting, pitch shifting, and other outboard goodies that add more character and/or animation to a sound.

What makes mixing so complex is that these four elements interact. Changing a sound's EQ also changes the level, changing the amount of ambience alters the soundstage, and so on. In a way, a mix is a "combination lock", in which once all four elements click into place, you have the perfect mix.

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