Joining us today is the talented artist and mastering engineer, Brian Hazard, also known as Color Theory.In this episode, we dive into the world of music creation and production, exploring Brian's influences and favorite instruments. We also talk about his approach to songwriting and composition, and he shares some valuable tips on how to get started with a new song.Brian shares his insights on the mixing process and explains why it's not a separate process from mastering engineering. He also gives us his top tips for DIY mixing and mastering, including why you shouldn't use multi-band compression and whether dynamic EQ is a good idea.We explore the age-old question of whether too many plugins are detrimental to mixing and mastering, and Brian shares some great advice on how to avoid common mistakes.Finally, we get into the nitty-gritty of mastering, and Brian reveals what he thinks is the biggest mistake that can be made in the process. We also discuss whether mastering engineers hear music differently than other people.Don't miss out on this insightful conversation with Brian Hazard of Color Theory!To follow Color Theory, click here: https://colortheory.com/ Support the showContact Inside The Mix Send a DM through IG @insidethemicpodcastEmail me at insidethemixpodcast@gmail.comSubscribe to the podcast today: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1639201/supporters/new*******Grab your Producer Growth Scorecard and improve as a songwriter and get your music out there faster. Download for free at https://insidethemixpodcast.podia.com/freeThanks for listening & happy mixing!