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

The mastering procedure allows you to carry out final modifications after you have blended your multitrack recordings down to 2 stereo tracks (we'll leave quad and 5.1 surround-sound situations for another day.) Some adjustments are made to enhance a specific song's sonic quality. Others are made within the context of an album - ensuring that lots of songs strung together have a comparable sonic "consistency." Common locations of issue for a mastering engineer are: equalization (eq), compression, levels (volume) relative from one song to the next, and spacing in between songs. Equalization: Often you'll want to change the eq or compression on a mix after you have actually done the final mix. Or you might have 10 songs mixed by 3 different engineers in five various studios.

Each song's eq might seem ideal by itself, however if you series them together, unexpectedly one song sounds too bright (or too dull ...). Idea # 1: keep in mind that any eq modifications to your stereo mix affect the whole mix - if you desire to cut 3 db at 80Hz because your mix sounds muddy, keep in mind to examine how that impacts all the instruments (e.g. the vocal), not simply the bass guitar and kick drum. Compression: In mastering, this is used not just to control a mix or to add character, but also to "print" or send as much level to the master as possible without clipping the signal.

Spacing & Crossfading.

Spacing: there are different viewpoints as to how one ought to approach the areas put in between tunes on a record. Some feel the downbeat of one tune must fall at the start of a new bar, in the tempo of the previous tune (to continue the flow.) Others believe you must avoid this like the plague, due to the fact that it lessens the effect. In the end, do whatever feels. There is no requirement. Cross-fade your tunes if you like, or place 6 seconds between them. (2-4 seconds is common in the majority of popular, non-classical records, however it's up to you.) Final tip: you may be inclined to master the very same recordings that you blended, whether it is for financial reasons, creative factors, or merely because you can. But we highly suggest that you get another person to master your task. The objectivity and fresh ears they give the table usually lead to a more powerful, more cohesive album.


Typical areas of issue for a mastering engineer are: equalization (eq), compression, levels (volume) relative from one song to the next, and spacing between songs. Or you might have ten tunes mixed by 3 different engineers in five various studios.

Each song's eq may appear ideal by itself, but if you series them together, all of a sudden one song sounds too bright (or too dull ...). Pointer # 1: remember that any eq modifications to your stereo mix impact the entire mix - if you want to cut 3 db at 80Hz due to the fact that your mix sounds muddy, keep in mind to inspect 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 just to manage a mix or to add character, but also to "print" or send out as much level to the master as possible without clipping Trap Instrumentals the signal.

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