The mastering process is the final step of audio post-production, aiming to polish the mix and prepare it for distribution. Mastering ensures that the track sounds cohesive, professional, and consistent across different playback systems. The mastering process is based on the following steps:
1. Preparation
- Reviewing the Mix: We listen to the final mix to identify any issues that need addressing before mastering.
- Gathering Reference Tracks: We often select some reference tracks in a similar genre to guide the mastering process.
2. Importing and Session Setup
- Importing the Mix: The final mix is loaded into the mastering software.
- Session Setup: If nessecary the tracks are arranged in the desired order for an album or EP and appropriate track markers and metadata are set up.
3. Critical Listening
- Acoustic Environment: We use a well-treated acoustic environment with high-quality monitors and headphones to critically listen to the mix.
- Assessment: Areas that need improvement such as balance, dynamics, frequency response, and stereo imaging are identified.
4. Equalization (EQ)
- Tone Shaping: We often use EQ to correct any imbalances, enhance certain frequencies, and ensure the mix translates well across different systems.
- Subtractive EQ: Also unwanted frequencies are removed to clean up the sound.
5. Compression and Limiting
- Dynamic Control: Compression is applied to manage the overall dynamic range, ensuring the mix sounds consistent and polished.
- Limiting: A limiter is applied to raise the overall loudness of the track without causing distortion, ensuring it meets industry loudness standards.
6. Stereo Imaging
- Enhancement: We adjust the stereo width and depth to create a more immersive listening experience.
- Other effects can be used as well.
7. Saturation and Harmonic Excitement
- Warmth and Character: Sometimes we add subtle saturation or harmonic excitement to enhance the warmth and presence of the mix.
8. De-essing
- Sibilance Control: We might use a de-esser to reduce harsh sibilance frequencies, especially in vocals and cymbals.
9. Noise Reduction
- Clean Up: We remove any unwanted noise, clicks, pops, or hums from the mix.
10. Loudness Maximization
- Target Levels: We ensure the final track meets the loudness requirements for its intended medium (streaming, CD, vinyl).
- True Peak Limiting: We also prevent clipping by controlling the true peak levels, ensuring the track does not distort on playback systems.
11. Sequencing and Spacing
- Track Order: We can arrange tracks in the correct order for an album or EP.
- Gaps and Transitions: Also appropriate gaps between tracks are set.
12. Metadata and Encoding
- Tagging: We add metadata such as track titles, artist names, album art, and ISRC codes.
- Encoding: We can convert the master to various formats (WAV, MP3, FLAC) as required for distribution.
13. Quality Control
- Playback Checks: We listen to the master on different playback systems (monitors, headphones, car speakers) to ensure it translates well.
- Client Feedback: We send the master to the client for approval and to make any necessary revisions.
14. Final Export and Delivery
- Master Export: The final master files are exported at the required bit depth and sample rate.
- Delivery: We provide the client with the final master files, including any alternate versions (e.g., instrumental, clean edits).
15. Archiving
- Backup: We create backups of the final master and session files for future reference and safekeeping.
Mastering is a highly specialized process that requires critical listening, technical expertise, and an understanding of how music translates across various playback systems. The goal is to ensure that the final product sounds polished, professional, and ready for distribution.