If you’ve been looking to elevate your home mixes and get closer to that polished, emotionally-driven sound the pros are known for, you’ve probably stumbled upon the BRAUERIZE method—Michael Brauer’s signature mix workflow, hosted on the tutorial platform PureMix.
The method has built a lot of buzz, especially since it promises a more intuitive and musical approach to mixing. Brauer famously describes his process like this: “I just want to get in the car and drive.” No plugin rabbit holes. No overthinking. Just feel.
But does it actually deliver?
I dove into the BRAUERIZE method, tested it out on one of my own songs, and here’s what I discovered.
What Is the BRAUERIZE Method?
BRAUERIZE is a multi-mix bussing technique developed by Grammy-winning mixer Michael Brauer, known for his work with Coldplay, John Mayer, and Phoenix.
It’s built around routing different instruments into multiple busses—each with distinct processing—and riding those bus faders like instruments. Instead of constantly tweaking plugins, you blend each stem into emotion.
PureMix hosts a 7+ hour deep dive tutorial, where Brauer walks through his full mix philosophy, workflow, and exact template. You even get access to his actual template (more on that below).
The Catch: You’ll Need a Lot of Plugins
Before you sign up and download the template, know this: it depends on a huge collection of third-party plugins.
Here’s what to expect:
- Dozens of plugins from different developers: UAD, Softube, Waves, Plugin Alliance, PSP, Kush, and more
- Many are not bundled—so unless you already own them, you’ll need to make substitutions
- Even with substitutes, you’ll need to understand what sound each plugin is intended to create
In my case, I already owned most of what I needed. But this template is not plug-and-play unless you’re deep into plugin collecting already.
It’s Not Beginner-Friendly
Beyond the plugin list, the BRAUERIZE method involves advanced routing and gain staging at every level.
If you’re not confident in your DAW signal flow or comfortable dialing in subtle bus compression and EQ, this system could be overwhelming fast.
That said, it’s a phenomenal education in mixing by feel. Even if you modify the template, the big takeaway is: use your ears, not just your plugins.
My Before & After Mix Test
To put BRAUERIZE to the test, I took one of my tracks—The Beginning of June—and compared an earlier mix with a new one done using the BRAUERIZE template.
🎧 What changed?
- The mix felt more open and dynamic
- I used way fewer plugins overall
- I relied heavily on riding faders and less on over-processing individual tracks
- It felt more like playing an instrument than mixing a session
Is it a dramatic transformation? Not night-and-day, but noticeable—especially in feel and cohesion.
Should You Try It?
✅ YES, if:
- You already own most of the plugins required
- You’re looking to simplify your mixing decisions
- You enjoy mixing and want to lean into feel over technicality
❌ NO, if:
- You’re just starting out with mixing
- You’re short on time and can’t deep dive into template routing
- You’d be better off outsourcing mixing to stay in a creative headspace
Final Thoughts
I went into this expecting a template. I left with a mindset shift.
The BRAUERIZE method isn’t just a bunch of plugins on a grid—it’s a philosophy. One that encourages you to stop treating mixing like code and start treating it like music.
That said, it’s not for everyone. The barrier to entry (in terms of plugins and skill) is high. But if you’re ready to mix more emotionally, more musically—and want to feel like you’re “driving” your song instead of fixing it—the BRAUERIZE approach is worth exploring.
Let me know in the YouTube comments: Have you tried the BRAUERIZE method? Considering it? Or do you have a mix philosophy of your own that works?
Whichever route you take, remember—mixing should move you. Not just your meters.
