What does 'mixing' refer to in music?

Mixing in music involves the process of combining multiple audio tracks into a final version of a song. This includes adjusting the levels, panning, and effects on each track to achieve a balanced and polished sound. The goal of mixing is to ensure that all elements of the music—such as vocals, instruments, and effects—work together harmoniously. This stage is crucial for creating a professional sound and is typically done after the recording phase, allowing the mixer to enhance the overall auditory experience.

The other options do not describe mixing. Composing lyrics refers to the creation of the song's words, while recording live instruments pertains to capturing the sound of instruments during a performance. Editing video alongside audio is a separate aspect of multimedia production that does not directly relate to the audio mixing process.