Mastering & Creating Your Last Mix Like the Pros (Mastering Process).

The mastering procedure enables you to carry out last modifications after you have mixed your multitrack recordings down to two stereo tracks (we'll leave quad and 5.1 surround-sound scenarios for another day.) Some adjustments are made to enhance a specific tune's sonic quality. Others are made within the context of an album - guaranteeing that numerous songs strung together have a similar sonic "consistency." Normal locations of issue for a mastering engineer are: equalization (eq), compression, levels (volume) relative from one song to the next, and spacing between songs. Equalization: Often you'll wish to adjust the eq or compression on a mix after you've done the last mix. Or you might have 10 songs mixed by three different engineers in 5 different studios.

Each tune's eq may appear ideal by itself, however if you sequence them together, suddenly one tune sounds too brilliant (or too dull ...). Pointer # 1: remember that any eq changes to your stereo mix affect the whole mix - if you desire to cut 3 db at 80Hz due to the fact that your mix sounds muddy, keep in mind to check how that affects all the instruments (e.g. the vocal), not just the bass guitar and kick drum. Compression: In mastering, this is utilized not simply to manage a mix or to include character, however likewise to "print" or send out as much level to the master as possible without clipping the signal.

Spacing & Crossfading.

Spacing: there are different philosophies regarding how one ought to approach the areas put in between songs on a record. Some feel the downbeat of one tune ought to fall at the start of a brand-new bar, in Trap Instrumentals the tempo of the previous song (to continue the flow.) Others think you ought to avoid this like the pester, since it lessens the impact. In the end, do whatever feels. There is no standard. Cross-fade your tunes if you like, or location six seconds in between them. (2-4 seconds is common in a lot of popular, non-classical records, but it's up to you.) Last suggestion: you might be inclined to master the same recordings that you blended, whether it is for monetary reasons, imaginative reasons, or simply due to the fact that you can. But we highly recommend that you get another person to master your project. The neutrality and fresh ears they bring to the table inevitably result in a stronger, more cohesive album.


Normal areas of concern for a mastering engineer are: equalization (eq), compression, levels (volume) relative from one tune to the next, and spacing in between tunes. Or you may have ten tunes blended by three different engineers in 5 various studios.

Each song's eq may appear best by itself, but if you sequence them together, all of a sudden one tune sounds too bright (or too dull ...). Suggestion # 1: keep in mind that any eq modifications to your stereo mix affect the entire mix - if you desire to cut 3 db at 80Hz because your mix sounds muddy, remember to check how that affects all the instruments (e.g. the vocal), not simply the bass guitar and kick drum. Compression: In mastering, this is utilized not just to control a mix or to add character, however likewise to "print" or send as much level to the master as possible without clipping the signal.

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