Ear fatigue: why your mix sounds different after an hour

Your ears get tired. After about an hour of loud music, the tiny hair cells in your inner ear get worn out and everything starts to sound dull. That's when you boost the highs and crank the EQ way too far, and the next day the mix sounds harsh. Mix at a moderate volume and take a 10 minute break every hour.

How to do it

1. Mix at a moderate volume, about as loud as a normal conversation.
2. Turn it up only for short checks.
3. Take a 10 minute break every hour, in silence.
4. Make big EQ decisions early in the session, with fresh ears.
5. Listen again the next day before you call a mix finished.

Why it works

Tired ears lose sensitivity to high frequencies first. Your brain compensates by asking for more top end, so mixes made late in a long session tend to come out harsh and bright.