How do you decide when a mix is 'done' and ready to be sent off for mastering, especially when perfectionism kicks in?

I think that one of the biggest problems with artists and engineers is when they “listen to find problems” - if you are going to sit there and look for issues, you will find them even if you’re given the best mix in the world - I think the key thing is to stop micro-managing and shift your mentality to listen from a positive perspective. Feel the track, enjoy it vibe to it - and the moment you know that there isn’t anything that’s actually bothering you about the mix, that’s when you know that you’ve finished it or at least it’s good enough to be sent to the client

This depends on whether the mix is for a client or for yourself. 

For me, and I think this is probably the same for many people, it takes me a lot longer to say "This is done" about my own songs, than it does for the songs I make for other people. 

The reason why I am able to say, "This is done" about someone else's project. Is thanks to the good old deadline. There comes a point, (delivery time) where the song HAS to be done. This helps. 

But in cases where I get lost in perfectionism, I find that (if possible) taking some time away from a song helps. This is because that perfectionistic rabbit hole craziness happens when you stop listening to the song as a song and start hearing it as a puzzle of frequincies. One thing that helped me understand the process of finishing mixed was watching Chris Lord Alge mix. He never loses perspective on the fact that he is listening to a song. A song should make us excited (if it's a genre we like, CLA mixed Rock mostly). 

I discovered a switch in my brain at some point, where I was able to just defocus and listen to the big picture, listen to your song as if you were listening to any song. This helps keep perspective for me.

Deciding when a mix is 'done' can be tough, especially for perfectionists like me. I like to take a step back and evaluate if each element in the mix feels balanced and contributes to the overall vibe. I also listen on different playback systems (headphones, monitors, and even a phone speaker) to ensure it translates well. When I realize I'm making micro-adjustments that don’t significantly change the sound, that’s often a sign that the mix is ready. Taking breaks and getting feedback from others can also provide perspective and help resist the urge to overwork the mix.

Deciding when a mix is "done" is about balancing technical quality with the emotional intent of the track. I start by checking that all elements—EQ, compression, balance, and panning—are consistent and align with the vision for the piece. Then I listen across different playback systems to ensure clarity and cohesion translate well.

When perfectionism kicks in, I remind myself that small adjustments can sometimes pull me further from the initial vision. At that point, I step back and focus on whether the mix conveys the intended feeling and energy. If it does, and technical aspects are solid, I know it’s ready for mastering.

I think a good indicator that your mix is ready is when you reach the point where you're unsure if each decision you make is improving or worsening the result.

First and foremost I know my mix is ready when it is pleasing to my ears and I can listen to it without any fatigue and when I feel that each structure has that expression that the artist or band wants to capture in the song and then there are the important things like the decibel space for the headroom and that the frequency balance is in perfect equilibrium.

Too much is just too much

Mixing a track is a journey that you need to take seriously but also give yourself freedom. The Mix is ready when you start asking questions that receives the same answer "Not needed" For example: Should I EQ more the mid and lows or is it ok to add another EQ? Not needed". 

At the end music is subjective and the ears don't lie. For the mixing stage it is crucial that you are rested, that your ears don't get so tired and that you give yourself enough time to work but at the same time leave the track resting for a day and then continue. 

When I export a mix for me one of the key things that I do is test it in different systems. For example: I test the mix in my studio monitors, then I go to bluetooth speakers and the final test is the most important: the car test. If your track sounds good in your car then the track is ready. For me that's key. 

Over processing a track is easy. But knowing what to do exactly is important. Also, each track is different. It is fine to have presets but never think that one preset that you saved for a track could work for another one. That is why AI mixing and mastering services will never be the same as a human being. :) 

EDM & Dance engineer here!

One technique that I find extremely helpful is mixing with the mastering chain (compressors, limiters, EQs, etc.) active from the very beginning of the session. This allows you to hear how the song will sound with final processing already applied, helping you make more informed mix decisions right away. It's a method many modern dance music engineers use to achieve faster, cleaner results. This doesn't mean the mix will always be done quickly, but it does streamline the process by avoiding major changes during mastering.

Once the mix feels balanced, a good way to make that final call is to compare it with a reference track. If your mix holds up in terms of clarity, energy, and overall vibe, it's a strong indication that it's ready to go. Listening with fresh ears—taking breaks during the process—is also important to avoid overthinking and endlessly tweaking small details. If it sounds good alongside your reference track, you can feel confident it’s done.