CD Mastering at Sage Audio

Before any album or ep is released it should be mastered by a professional. CD Mastering is an essential process even for songs that have been mixed well. Many musicians are unaware of just how important it is that your final CD is mastered by a qualified engineer. In fact many aren't sure what mastering is or why it's such a crucial step in the audio engineering process. However, you can be certain that every professionally produced song or album released today has been mastered. We offer a free preview for new clients so you can can see exactly what mastering will do for your music.

What is CD Mastering?

In short, mastering is the process of creating the final production copy of your song or album. It sounds simple, but in reality its one of the most specialized and critical aspects of audio production. Mastering requires a high degree of skill and an experienced ear. In addition professional equipment and a finely tuned listening environment are essential in producing a polished master CD.

There are many aspects that the mastering engineer must take into account while working on a project. Below are some main methods a mastering engineer will use to improve overall sound quality. Each song or album is different, and knowing exactly when to use each tool is critical in order to improve overall sound quality on each project.

Mastering Processes

  • Correct Improperly Mixed Frequencies
  • Balance the Left and Right Stereo Channels
  • Equalize the Sound of Each Track
  • Compress and Limit The Overall Sound Level
  • Automate Compression and/or Equalization Settings
  • Add Dithering
  • Add or Correct Improper Fades
  • Set Spacing Between Tracks
  • Noise Reduction and Sound Restoration
  • Add IRSC Codes for Digital Distribution
  • Add CD-Text Information (Artist, Title, Track Names)
  • Create DDP, BIN, or CUE files for CD Replication
  • Create a Master Disk For CD Duplication or Replication

What Does a Mastered Song Sound Like?

After a song has been mastered there is usually a highly noticeable difference in sound. Bass will sound deeper and vocals will be crisper. The songs will sound louder in general, and finer details with have more clarity. If you would like to see exactly how Sage Audio can improve your next album we offer one free master preview to new clients. Simply create a client account, upload your song, and we'll send you back a preview of your fully mastered version for free.