Quick Answer De-Essing during Mastering isn’t ideal, as this type of processing is best handled during both tracking and mixing. If De-Essing during mastering is needed, then it is typically handled with various compression and equalization techniques and is always introduced in a minimalistic manner. De-Essing During Mastering in Detail De-Essing and Mastering music […]
Making a Master Excessively Loud Applying Processing too Aggressively Going against the intentions of the mixing engineer and artist Making a Master excessively wide Applying Unneeded Compression Causing Clipping Distortion with Improper Gain Staging Applying Unnecessary Dithering Using the Wrong Genre as a Reference Not Saving Signal Chain Settings or Taking Notes Monitoring Your […]
Quick Answer Human Mastering is the process of preparing an album for distribution with an human engineer, as opposed to an AI-based mastering system. With the popularization of AI mastering, mastering studios comprised of human engineers are becoming few and far between, despite having distinct advantages during mastering. Human Mastering in Detail For […]
Quick Answer Loudness for mastering is the measurement of the perceived loudness of an audio signal during the audio mastering and distribution process. Loudness, as it relates to mastering music, can be something that is implemented carefully and skillfully, or it can be something that can ruin a master is used excessively. Loudness […]
Quick Answer Analog mastering is the process of using analog equipment to process a signal to prepare it for distribution; digital mastering is the process of using solely digital processors and software to process a signal and for the same reason. Analog mastering and digital mastering have their respective benefits and drawbacks. Analog […]
Quick Answer Using a mid-side equalizer, attenuate the side image up to 150Hz. Using this same equalizer, subtly attenuate sibilance-based frequencies. Use compression to control any excessive dynamics. Gently introduce low-level compression. Avoid any psychoacoustic stereo-imaging. Avoid unnecessary harmonic generation or distortion Avoid excessive limiting and gain reduction Sequence the tracks to avoid […]
First, start with a Stereo File Mix and then: Use Subtractive Equalization Determine if Compression is Needed If Compression is Needed, use Multi-band Compression Use Additive Equalization Optional: Introduce Harmonic Generation and Harmonic Excitement Optional: Widen the Stereo Image Use a Limiter if Needed Measure the Loudness with Distribution in Mind Export a […]
Quick Answer Online Mastering is an automated and algorithm-based mastering service now provided by various companies. Online Mastering services typically provide quick turnaround and a lower price, but at the expense of potential revisions, high-quality formats, full album mastering, and an ability to process a mix in a unique manner. Online Mastering in […]
Quick Answer Dynamic Mastering is the process of mastering a track in a manner to preserve transients and to retain the dynamic range of that recording. Typically, dynamic mastering is accomplished by emphasizing the dynamic range instead of loudness, all while reducing the use of compression and limiting techniques. What is Dynamic Mastering […]
Some of the Best Practices for Mastering Your Song are Avoiding excessive limiting and compression Using a True Peak meter to ensure peaking is not occurring Avoiding excessive equalization, distortion, and stereo imaging Mastering with a specific medium in mind Using the highest original bit-depth and sampling rate source file Leaving encoding and […]