[Lagerfeldt]

If you're producing and mixing the tracks yourself, that's place to start - not the mastering. At least do that from now on.

A good production and mix is 3/4 of a good final master.

· Try to make everything perfect in the production and mix without even thinking of the master bus or the mastering process.

· You can add a touch of broadband compressor to the master bus while mixing if you want though, but it can be misleading.

· Instead try using more sum compression on your submixes.

· Sidechain compression is your friend when mixing dance music, not just for effect but for volume. Fast attack, peak mode, then duck.

· As always: Good EQ, compression, and prioritizing in the mix will do wonders...

Don't try to guess what's going to happen in the mastering, and don't think "I'll be better when it's mastered" while you're mixing. It's like sucking on a binkie.