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

The mastering procedure enables you to carry out last changes after you have actually blended your multitrack recordings to two stereo tracks (we'll leave quad and 5.1 surround-sound situations for another day.) Some modifications are made to improve a particular song's sonic quality. Others are made within the context of an album - making sure that lots of tunes strung together have a comparable sonic "consistency." Common areas of concern for a mastering engineer are: equalization (eq), compression, levels (volume) relative from one song to the next, and spacing in between tunes. Equalization: In some cases you'll want to adjust the eq or compression on a mix after you have actually done the last mix. Or you might have ten songs blended by 3 various engineers in five different studios.

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

Spacing & Crossfading.

Spacing: there are various philosophies regarding how one should approach the areas put in between songs on a record. Some feel the downbeat of one tune should fall at the start of a brand-new Hip Hop Beats bar, in the tempo of the previous tune (to continue the flow.) Others believe you should prevent this like the plague, since it diminishes the effect. In the end, do whatever feels right. There is no requirement. Cross-fade your tunes if you like, or place 6 seconds between them. (2-4 seconds prevails in most popular, non-classical records, however it depends on you.) Final pointer: you may be inclined to master the very same recordings that you mixed, whether it is for monetary factors, innovative factors, or merely since you can. We strongly suggest that you get somebody else to master your project. The neutrality and fresh ears they give the table inevitably lead to 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 might have ten songs blended by 3 different engineers in five various studios.

Each tune's eq may seem best by itself, however if you sequence them together, all of a sudden one tune sounds too intense (or too dull ...). Suggestion # 1: keep in mind that any eq modifications to your stereo mix impact the whole mix - if you want to cut 3 db at 80Hz since your mix sounds muddy, keep in mind 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 simply to control a mix or to add character, but likewise to "print" or send out as much level to the master as possible without clipping the signal.

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