u/DoubleOxygen

Been producing metal mixes in Reaper and I’m running into translation issues.

My mixes sound pretty huge on my headphones while mixing, but once exported and played on: phone speakers, car, or earbuds …the guitars become mushy/fizzy and the low end changes a lot.

Current setup:
- Focusrite Scarlett HP60 MkIII headphones (from Scarlett bundle)
- Focusrite interface
- Bedroom setup (untreated room)

I’ve actually been trying to learn proper mixing fundamentals too. learning where each instrument should live in the frequency spectrum, carving space carefully with EQ between kick/bass/guitars, controlling mud and harshness, using buses/compression/saturation subtly, adding controlled snare reverb, layering synths/octave guitars carefully etc. I even literally copied a modern metal mixing tutorial on YouTube step-by-step and still couldn’t get close to the polished sound I’m chasing, which is why I’m starting to wonder if my monitoring setup is holding me back more than my actual mixing decisions.

I’m trying to decide:

Should I upgrade to:

1. Better studio headphones first
   OR
2. Studio monitors like Presonus Eris / JBL 305P etc.

For people mixing modern metal specifically:
- what improved your mix translation the most?
- are decent headphones enough in untreated rooms?
- are budget monitors misleading for low tuned guitars/bass?

I’m trying to achieve a modern metal mix similar to bands like Architects, Bleed From Within, All Band, and producers like Mick Gordon. I also follow creators like Nick Broomhall and Chris Bedan.

My goal is to get that “huge” and polished sound, but I can’t seem to get there.

Current setup:

Guitar: Solar A2.7

Interface: Focusrite Scarlett Solo 3rd Gen

Plugins: Neural DSP Archetype Gojira

Drums: GetGoodDrums Modern & Massive 2

DAW: Reaper (mostly stock plugins)

I keep seeing people mention “essential plugins” (like Hellraiser-style tone shaping tools), or specific compression/reverb tricks for drums (kick compression, snare verbs, etc.).

I’ve also heard a lot of modern tricks like quad tracking guitars or adding synth layers behind guitars but honestly, those haven’t helped much in my case.

Main issue:

My mixes sound decent on my mixing-headphones, but completely fall apart on phone speakers especially guitars, which turn into mush.

I feel like I’m missing fundamentals rather than tools.

Questions:

What am I doing wrong in terms of mixing approach?

Are there any actually essential plugins for modern metal, or is it mostly technique?

Any recommended courses or structured learning resources for modern metal mixing?

Also, would switching DAWs (I just got a MacBook Air M4 since my windows laptop is struggling to process music) make any difference, or should I stick with Reaper?