For us, nothing different... MP3 is a lossy format so you should do exactly the same way as for a cd and after that just convert your WAV for MP3. Everytime you convertyour Masterto MP3 there will always be the "loss" effect primarily on high frequencies and mid -low... but you shouldn't care about this... you must care about your WAV or Master and then conversion will do the job... in my opinion we can't think about how can we mix for MP3 listening... (exclusively???)... that's the wrong path we can't run....

We mix and master exactly the same being it for CD or online music.

There is no logical explanation about mixing and mastering for both sides being different, 'cause they aren't... Cheers!

I don't alter my mixes for to sound better as MP3 files, but I do like to make MP3 files for the customer myself so I have some say over how it gets done.

But pretty soon MP3 may be obsolete because storage and bandwidth will be so plentiful that there's no point crushing file size. Then they will go the way of dead end technologies like answering machines, fax machines and hybrid cars.

When you say "so I have some say over how it gets done", what do you mean?

audiokid, post: 373629 wrote: When you say "so I have some say over how it gets done", what do you mean?

There is more than one way to compress to MP3. Depending on the software used there are all sorts or options which can affect the outcome, the most obvious of which is the bitrate. But you also have things that affect the stereo field in different ways, options to set "original" and "copyright" bits, ISO padding, variable vs. constant bitrate etc. If I compress to MP3 for delivery to the listener it prevents them from simply ripping WAVs to MP3s themselves using some random default settings.

bouldersound, post: 373628 wrote: I don't alter my mixes for to sound better as MP3 files, but I do like to make MP3 files for the customer myself so I have some say over how it gets done.

But pretty soon MP3 may be obsolete because storage and bandwidth will be so plentiful that there's no point crushing file size. Then they will go the way of dead end technologies like answering machines, fax machines and hybrid cars.

This has been my mindset also. I feel the compression necessary up till now or the near-now is at an end, and we'll soon see loss-less medium become as normal and as cheap as is can be possibly be. Everything will be streaming in glorious WAV or similar content, the servers will be the size of a toaster and support quadrillions of bits per millisec.....Like Donald said...." A just machine to make big decisions, Programmed by fellows with compassion and vision, We'll be clean when their work is done, We'll be eternally free yes and eternally young..."

Old thread that is fun to revisit.

Since the OP, as you know I'm into hybrid mixing now. The internet is pretty fast and I'm actually enjoying my tracks online now. Soundcloud still sounds a bit inaccurate to what I'm uploading but its so much better than a few years ago. Dropbox is ideal for sharing.
I'm rethinking my entire business now. I don't care about the CD much. My focus is 100% online mixing for people. A few more years from now, wow.

What are your planning?

As a musician/writer, I'll continue to approach recording the same as I always have - write a good song that is hooky, melodic, something I'd buy myself if I heard it, and at the end of the day, present that music with the best possible fidelity that I can.

As an engineer/producer, to provide the same, with artistic enthusiasm, to other artists / projects that I feel I can contribute to, or where my contributions are needed or valued.

And, if I can help younger up and coming engineers along the way, then that also makes me happy.

I guess my ultimate goal is to never actually reach my goal...I don't want the journey to end. ;) I want to continue to learn and experience new things within the art and the craft.

I've been on this particular journey since December of 1979 - and seemingly it has no real end, and while I've done things I'm proud of, I don't believe I've reached my "ultimate" song/mix yet, and, maybe I never will, but, I'll keep moving forward regardless.

Technically, I hope you are right Chris, in that the quality of the delivery system gets better, because right now, as far as I can tell, it looks a little something like this:

U87 Mic: $3000
Analog Recording Console: $50,000
Studio Monitors: $2500
Vintage Tube/Class A Mic Pre: $5000
Vintage Compressor: $4000
Vintage Limiter: $8000
Converters: $10,000
Custom Designed Room: $90,000

Final Listening Format?
MP3: $1.00, Ear Buds: $5 facepalm

LOL. ;)

I know, Its so disturbing, it makes me want to scream.

But, what goes around, comes around.

I think, “Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.” – Mark Twain
So, I never follow the majority for leadership. It simply cannot continue like this.

What we need is a new playback system that inspires a new listening experience. Which, will inspire people to love the sound of music, again.