Use a reference track that matches your target style and loudness
Mix at a low monitoring level to avoid ear fatigue
Start with gain staging so every track has healthy headroom
Balance the vocals, kick, and bass first
High-pass unnecessary low end on non-bass instruments
Keep the low end mono
Use EQ to remove masking before boosting anything
Compress only when needed to control dynamics
Use reverb and delay sparingly to keep the mix clear
Check the mix in mono for phase issues
Compare your mix against commercial references
Leave headroom on the master bus
Aim for a clean, balanced mix rather than maximum loudness
Export in a high-quality format such as WAV
Keep peaks below 0 dBFS to avoid clipping
Use a limiter only on the final master if needed
Test the mix on multiple playback systems
Make sure vocals are intelligible on small speakers
Keep the arrangement uncluttered so the mix translates well
Use automation to control levels and effects changes
Avoid overprocessing the master bus
Upload the final master to Spotify through a distributor