Episode 304

Austin Seltzer: Breaking the Loudness Rules

Austin Seltzer is a multi-platinum mixing and mastering engineer whose work bridges the gap between modern pop polish and emotionally impactful, dynamic sound. After getting his start in electronic ghost production, Austin refined his craft through formal studio training at The Blackbird Academy in Nashville. During his time there, he learned from renowned engineers and producers who appeared as guest mentors, including Andrew Scheps, Jacquire King, Vance Powell, and Dave Pensado. After graduating, he expanded into cinematic music, further developing the sense of depth, scale, and emotion that now defines his mixing style.

Now based in Oklahoma, he has built a reputation for creating mixes that feel simultaneously expansive, powerful, and deeply musical. Austin’s profile rose significantly after mixing and mastering Dasha’s global breakout hit “Austin (Boots Stop Workin’),” one of the defining crossover records of 2024. In addition to his work with Dasha, he has collaborated with artists including LE SSERAFIM, Maggie Lindemann, Natalie Jane, BloodPop, A.G. Cook, and Hudson Mohawke.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

- Why he starts every mix with the loudest section

- Why he intentionally clips his mixes six dB over zero during the entire mixdown

- How to balance your low end while intentionally clipping the output

- Why most limiters destroy the punch in your kick and snare

- How to create cinematic width without using the LCR method

- Why treating people well matters more than your technical skills

- How he completes professional mixes in 90 minutes or less

- Why he only listens to the full mix once during the mixing process

- The next-morning routine that catches problems before sending to clients

- How he uses multiband stereo width to create cinematic depth

- How hitting compressors 10-20 dB actually makes vocals sound better

- Why he moved from LA to Oklahoma, and his work increased

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