Mastering is the final step in the process of producing audio before the song is ready for duplication and distribution. Mastering requires that a song be looked at from an artistic as well as a scientific point of view. Editing can be applied which helps eliminate unwanted sounds such as clicks, hisses, and hums. Also adjusting equalization, compression, limiting, and volume can help shape the overall dynamics and quality of a song. The correct design of the mastering room is a crucial factor for engineers to hear precise details of each song. The experience of an engineer is also a key part of getting the best results because they offer the expertise and knowledge that can only come from years of practice. Learning about how to prepare your song for mastering is a great way to really help the engineer really get the most out of your music. Pre-mastering tips and tricks are a vital necessity for a musician's success. There are numerous online social media outlets, live shows, festivals, tours, that once you're a part of, mastering is a must. Once the music is at a professional level and reaches its full potential, you will be ready to proudly share your music with the world.
As mastering engineers, we have all heard people describe our job as “making it louder”. We adjust gain levels, we use compression, and we limit to achieve these results. To a listener, it is louder and reaching for the volume adjustment becomes less of a necessity. To us, it is a careful combination of tools […]
Loudness is a major concern for almost every artist and engineer. In an industry that’s flooded with plugins and gear that continually tries to offer a one size fits all preset to make your music louder than then next person, we have missed the foundation of how to actually achieve loudness. We have limiters, compressors, […]
While working with a mix, a mastering engineer must use tools that mix engineers may not consider. While there is overlap with the types of compression or EQ that are used, the process for a mastering engineer involves only a single stereo file versus the tracks that make up the entire song. This means that […]
Have you ever listened to a song and noticed that the snare sounded a little brighter during the chorus, the kick had more of a thump, and the vocal effect had changed from an eighth-note to a quarter note delay. A mix tends to get boring hearing the same sonic textures from beginning to end. […]
Mix-bus compression has been used in countless recordings. We all like a punchy mix that sounds cohesive, and mix-bus compressors have achieved this for many engineers. Applying this technique to your own mixes can be challenging. There are tons of compressors available, but they are not all created equally. Here are some popular choices for […]
As audio engineers we live in a very exciting time. The capabilities and quality of the digital audio domain continue to expand and improve at unprecedented rates. High quality recordings are more affordable than ever to make. The commercial studio business is on the downfall, while home/project/mobile studio professionals and hobbyist are on the rise. […]
After a mix engineer completes a mix, it is good practice that the mix is sent to a mastering engineer. Most often the mastering engineer performs stereo mastering and works on a single stereo file to prepare a well-polished track ready for commercial distribution. However, many mix engineers don’t realize that there is another option […]
The simple understanding of Mechanical Royalties are royalties that are paid to a songwriter whenever a copy of their song is made. As with many avenues in the music industry, it’s always a little more complicated then it can seem. So, we’ve tried to simply it here.
In order to provide a international documented record of your song when it’s publicly released, you will need an ISRC code. It can be hard to get clear information on what these codes do and where best to get them. Here’s an overview of ISRC code’s and the steps you can take to obtain them.
Getting a killer mix and master starts with a great recording. Using the right mic plays a big role in getting that recording. Ribbon mics are great for their smooth tones and warm mid-range. Here are some top models worth investing in.