📑 Sections (3)

3. Final check before mastering

The list for checking the vocal before closing: lyrics, sibilance, space, mono and small speakers, with a reference alongside.

Before closing the mix, five minutes of review save you from going back later. Do it with rested ears, ideally the next day.

The list

What to check

  • Lyrics at low volume: every word can be understood, in the chorus too.
  • On a phone: the vocal stays up front and doesn’t disappear.
  • In mono: the lead vocal stays just as firm, and the doubles neither vanish completely nor cover it.
  • Sibilance: it doesn’t hurt at high volume, on headphones.
  • Space: turn off the effects for a moment. If the difference is huge, there’s probably too much.
  • Noises: no clicks or exaggerated breaths in the silences.
  • Margin: mix peaks at −6 dBFS, with no limiter.

Against the reference

Play a song in the same style at the same volume. Compare only these three things:

  1. Where is the vocal? Further forward or back than yours?
  2. How bright? Especially the sibilance and the air.
  3. How much space? The tail of the reverb and delay.

Don’t try to make it sound the same: try to make sure there’s no obvious difference.

🔴 Set this NOW· in mixing

It's the last cheap chance to correct the vocal. After mastering, any adjustment forces you to repeat the export and the comparison.

When it’s done

It’s ready if the lyrics can be understood, the sibilance doesn’t bother you, and you still like the song. You won’t be satisfied with every detail: if the changes you’re making no longer show when you listen to the whole song, stop there.

Common mistakes

What NOT to chase yet

Quick path: check

Quick path

  1. Low volume: all the lyrics can be understood.
  2. Phone and mono: the vocal stays firm.
  3. Headphones: the sibilance doesn't hurt.
  4. Effects off and on: the difference is reasonable.
  5. Reference: vocal, brightness and space with no obvious differences.
  6. Export with peaks of −6 dBFS and no limiter.

Expected result

Expected result

A vocal ready for mastering, checked on different speakers. With this, all four instruments complete their journey. The final step is mastering the full song.