Ryan Schwabe discusses how loudness targets in mixing and mastering vary based on genre and production style.
He generally aims for an average program loudness of -9 dB, adjusting for the genre's vibe—rock may be louder, while Afrobeat often focuses on transients and may sit lower than American music.
Schwabe shares his insights on whether to master within the mix session or as a separate process. While he sometimes integrates mastering with mixing, especially with certain artists, he prefers separate sessions to streamline the process and avoid the loop of continuous adjustments.
For singles, integrating both might work, but for albums, he advises against mastering your own mixes due to potential inefficiencies.