7 Mixers You Should Know

If you want to play the game, you’ve got to know the players.

Here are some of the mixing world’s biggest stars (in no particular order).


Dave Pensado

With a cutting-edge, hybrid mixing style that frequently defies convention, Dave has become one of the most recognizable names in pro audio. If you’re looking to hone your mixing craft, his groundbreaking web series Pensado’s Place is a must-watch. And did I mention he’s also one of the kindest, most generous people around?

My Favorite Dave Pensado Mix: “Buttons” by The Pussycat Dolls

(Photo of Dave Pensado by Brian Petersen)


Bob Power

Often referred to affectionately as the godfather of modern-day mixing (and with the hair to back it up), Bob’s influence on recorded music cannot be overstated. His iconic work with A Tribe Called Quest and De La Soul set the standard for the punchy, hard-hitting sound of hip hop. Many credit him for popularizing parallel compression, a mixing technique that can add serious weight and impact to drums. To learn more about Bob, check out his 2004 interview with Red Bull Music Academy.

My Favorite Bob Power Mix: “The Way” by Me’Shell Ndegéocello


Michael Brauer

Michael cut his teeth mixing R&B records in the late 70’s at New York City’s historic Mediasound Studios. Since then, he’s crafted chart-topping hits for a remarkably diverse range of artists – from Aretha Franklin to Grizzly Bear, Bob Dylan to Panic! At The Disco. Michael is known for his idiosyncratic use of bus compression (described in detail in this Tape Op interview), an approach that he has aptly named “Brauerize.”

My Favorite Michael Brauer Mix: “We Never Change” by Coldplay


Manny Marroquin

With an ever-growing roster of clients that includes superstars like Kanye West, Meghan Trainor, and Rihanna (to name a few), Manny is one of today’s most sought after mixers. He’s known for using tasteful distortion to add flavor and character to tracks (a technique which recently inspired his own plugin from Waves). Check out Manny’s interview with Larry Crane (via Mix With The Masters).

My Favorite Manny Marroquin Mix: “Black Skinhead” by Kanye West


Serban Ghenea

A protege of legendary hitmaker Teddy Riley, Serban has had a stronghold on the Top 40 charts for nearly two decades. He was an early adopter of Pro Tools, and one of the first mixers to work exclusively in the box. Serban’s clean, radio-friendly mixes translate remarkably well across different playback systems.

My Favorite Serban Ghenea Mix: “You Da One” by Rihanna


Tony Maserati

Tony cut his teeth in New York City during the 90’s, shaping the sound of iconic records by Mary J. Blige, Notorious B.I.G., R. Kelly, and many others. He’s an outspoken proponent of collaboration, music education, and subtractive EQ (one of my favorite mix techniques). Oh, and if you’ve struggled with multi-band compression, Tony’s video on the subject is a great place to start.

My Favorite Tony Maserati Mix: “I Won’t Give Up” by Jason Mraz


Chris Lord-Alge

In the early 2000’s, you couldn’t turn on the radio without hearing a Chris Lord-Alge mix. His bombastic, aggressive style set the standard for the sound of modern rock; he’s still one of the genre’s most in-demand mixers today. Chris’ old-school approach utilizes heavy-handed compression, a classic SSL E-series console, and loads of outboard gear to craft bright, vibrant mixes that cut through the speakers like a knife.

My Favorite Chris Lord-Alge Mix: “I Did It” by Dave Matthews Band