On ItyDity, we agree with many industry experts to define "production" to include the tasks of mixing and mastering and each final selected producer in a project is held responsible to mix and master the song to radio quality standards as part of their production job. As outlined here in our terms of service, if an artist submits a claim to ItyDity indicating that their final selected producer has failed to submit a radio-quality mix and master of the song, that claim will be reviewed by ItyDity. If we find in favor of the artist, ItyDity will ask the selected producer to fix the mix and master, and if they cannot, we will step in to provide these mixing and mastering services ourselves on behalf of the selected producer in order to fully complete the music production service for the artist. If this occurs, ItyDity will keep $300 of the producer payout amount to cover the cost of our production/mixing/mastering services.

 

The parameters we use to discern a “radio-quality mix and master” are as follows:

 

Note: We recognize that, to a certain extent, what makes a mix “good” isn’t always objective or easy to define.  In fact, many of the mistakes we list could include the exception “unless it’s intentional for artistic reasons.” Nevertheless, there are some telltale weaknesses that can point to a less-than-professional, if not downright amateur, mixing job.

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PERFORMANCE & MUSICAL ISSUES

 

• Pitchy vocals

• Sloppy timing

• Out-of-tune instrument

• Trying to pass off cheap virtual instruments as real

• Clashing melodies or chords

• Out of sync parts

 

EDITING

 

• Failure to fix something that obviously needs to be fixed

• Obvious (or poorly done) edits

• Obvious pitch correction

• Plosive thumps, lip smacks, breathing or other extraneous noises

 

MIXING

 

• Excessive use of effects

• Improper overall equalization (song sounds too boomy, too thin, too harsh, etc.)

• Inappropriate ‘set and forget’ mixing (no automation)

• Lack of dynamics or too much compression

• Crowded stereo image or poor panning

• Vocals too quiet, too loud or uneven volumes

• Unintentional drastic fluctuation in the overall volume

• Lack of contrast from section to section

 

TECHNICAL

 

• Excessive background noise or hiss

• Even a single digital pop

• Clipping/distortion

• Digital artifacts

• Failure to reach broadcast levels

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