Philly Recording School Blog
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How to Avoid Ear Fatigue During Long Mixing Sessions
by illiad | April 30, 2025
When you're deep in a mix, especially during long sessions, ear fatigue can skew your perception of EQ, dynamics, and stereo imaging. You might think you’re making improvements when, in reality, you’re introducing problems.
At Lil' Drummaboy Recordings, our instructors—many of whom are professional Philly music producers and engineers emphasize the importance of critical listening. At Philly Recording School, we train future producers and engineers in the art and science of music production and audio engineering. Ear fatigue is a real challenge in the studio—knowing what it is, how to spot it, and how to avoid it can make or break your mix. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced producer, long mixing sessions can lead to compromised judgment and tired ears. Here's how to keep your ears fresh and your mixes tight.
Take Frequent Breaks
The 90/10 rule is golden: 90 minutes of focused work, followed by 10 minutes of rest. Step away from the monitors, move around, or listen to something completely different.
Monitor at Low Volumes
It’s tempting to crank it up when your track is banging, but loud volumes accelerate ear fatigue. Keep your monitoring levels around 70–75 dB SPL when possible.
Use Multiple Reference Tracks
A/B your mix with commercial tracks. This helps reset your ears and provides perspective on how your mix translates.
Mix with Headphones (Sparingly)
Headphones can offer a lot of detail, but prolonged use tends to cause faster ear fatigue. At our Philadelphia music production school, we teach monitoring techniques that combine the precision of headphones with the spatial awareness of studio monitors. These approaches are also part of the workflow in our mix and master sessions at Philly Recording Studio, where accurate monitoring is essential for achieving balanced, translation-friendly results.
Stay Hydrated & Eat Clean
Believe it or not, hydration and a good diet support healthy cognitive and sensory function—including hearing. Caffeine and junk food? Not so much.
Work in an Acoustically Treated Environment
Bad room acoustics can lead to overcompensation in a mix, making it harder to achieve balanced results. Our boutique recording studio is professionally treated to give students the most accurate listening environment possible. It is designed with care for recording and media artists seeking a focused, distraction-free space—a place where the sonic environment supports the creative process.
Know When to Stop
Sometimes, the best mix decision is to come back with fresh ears the next day. Save your session and get some rest. Your future self will thank you.
The Philly Recording School
@ Lil' Drummaboy Recordings
818 South Street, Philadelphia, PA 19147
Tel: (215) 574-1400
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