By Lumko Vanto

If you can turn a raw recording into a track that slaps in a taxi sound system and still sounds clean on AirPods, you’re already halfway to becoming a paid mixing & mastering engineer. The best part? You don’t need a million-rand studio — just FL Studio, a decent mic, and an audio interface.

Build Your Mixing Workflow in FL Studio

Start with a clean session: Label tracks (vocals, adlibs, beat) Basic EQ: Cut the mud (below 80Hz for vocals), boost clarity around 3–5kHz. Compression: Even out volumes without squashing the life out of the track. De-essing: Control harsh “S” sounds, especially for rap and RnB vocals. Reverb & Delay: Add space — but keep it tight for amapiano, hip-hop, and gospel.

💡 Tip: Save your mixing chain as a preset — clients love fast turnarounds.

Freelance Platforms to Get Clients

SoundBetter  (LinkedIn for musicians — higher-paying clients)

Fiverr  (good for small jobs and international exposure)

BeatStars  (yes, you can offer mixing alongside selling beats)

Locally, join WhatsApp music groups, Facebook groups like SA Music Producers or Mzansi Gospel Creatives — these are goldmines for word-of-mouth gigs.

Pricing & Testimonials

Start at R150–R300 per track for mixing, R100–R200 for mastering.

Offer package deals (mix + master = discount).

In the beginning, trade one free mix for a public testimonial and a tag on social media — that’s free marketing.

EQ/Compression Tricks for Local Genres

Amapiano: Leave room for the log drum; tame high hats with gentle EQ.

Hip-Hop: Punchy kick & snare; keep vocals slightly forward.

Gospel: Smooth highs, airy reverb on choirs, keep dynamics natural.

Build a WhatsApp-Based Client Base

Save every client’s number.

Create a broadcast list (not a group) to share new offers and tips.

Post before-and-after audio clips on WhatsApp Status — let the quality speak for itself.

Offer “mix in 24 hours” express service for extra income.

💬 Final Word From kasi bedrooms to suburban home studios, South African mixing engineers are making a living by polishing other people’s sound. Start small, stay consistent, and before you know it, your credits could be running on tracks played nationwide.