Mixing / Production

• Pixie Lott 'All About Tonight' • Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds 'Death Of You And Me' • Laura Marling 'Sophia'

Tommy Forrest is discovering mainstream success — without compromising the hardcore sample-mangling that has made Akira Kiteshi an underground hit.

Lana Del Rey has topped charts worldwide with her signature retro sound — and it all started with a demo that became a viral hit.

Can you hear the difference between an MP3 and a WAV file? We explain how lossy audio data compression works, and how to spot the tell-tale signs it leaves behind.

This month, our mix engineer develops a reader's track and shows that the difference between an average mix and a good one is less about the quality of the gear than about what you do with it!

Audio files to accompany the article.

The Civil Wars chose to avoid the usual studio trickery for their debut album, and have reaped great success as a result.

• Lana Del Rey 'Videogames' • Tinchy Stryder 'Off The Record' • Emeli Sandé 'Heaven' • One Direction 'What Makes You Beautiful'

Drake’s atmospheric, brooding sound has revitalised hip-hop, selling millions in the process. The man behind that sound is Noah '40' Shebib.

A combination of hard work, business acumen and old-fashioned musicality have brought JR Rotem huge success as a hip-hop and R&B songwriter and producer.

The meteoric rise of Michael Kiwanuka has been founded on strong songs, great singing and Paul Butler’s unique production style.

This bonus content accompanies the Crafting Loud Mixes article.

Just how do you make a mix sound loud without squeezing the life out of the music? Find out in our in-depth guide...

Programmed classical and film music demands convincing use of sample-based instruments. But how do you achieve this? Our engineer explains, as he takes on this month’s remix...

Audio files to accompany the article.

With the festival season fast approaching, The Prodigy's live sound-man, Jon Burton, talks to some of those involved about the unique demands of running open-air shows.

• Lady Antebellum 'We Owned The Night' • Cher Lloyd 'With Ur Love' • Snow Patrol 'Called Out In The Dark'

Tony Bennett’s continuing success showcases the value of old-school recording techniques — and the talents of his engineer son Dae.

In working to perfect a Bollywood mix, our engineer found that there were plenty of lessons that could be drawn from it and applied to mixes in most genres.

With a stellar client list that now ranges from Sir Paul McCartney to AC/DC, Paul Boothroyd has risen to the top of the live sound industry.

Audio files to accompany the article.