We’ve written about how EQ, compression and stereo effects are used during the mix phase-but these tools are used differently in a mastering context.Ī good master will have touches of EQ, stereo widening and compression-but these tools are used to regulate the volume and dynamics of your entire track or album. Mastering does use some of the same techniques used in mixing, but they’re applied in different ways. You need a good mix before going to the mastering phase-but a good master should only bring out the good qualities of your mix, not hurt them. That’s why album mastering is super important for keeping the sound of your tracks consistent-every track needs to match in terms of overall volume and quality.Ī good mastering engineer knows how to keep the levels and frequency balance of each track in check-without hurting the unique dynamics of each track in your album.
Worse, a song that’s too quiet won’t stand out among the rest of your louder songs. Your listeners are going to notice if the sound of your album isn’t uniform throughout. Here’s a few specific things a mastering engineer will do for your track.Īn album should feel like a single connected experience. If you want your tracks to sound as good as the other tracks on the radio or streaming services, you need to master your music. In short, if you want your tracks to sound as good as the other tracks on the radio or streaming services, you need to master your music. Of course, today mastering has evolved far beyond the physical specifications of vinyl.īut many of the same principles of the original mastering engineer remain the same-streaming services, radio playlists and digital audio all come with their own specifications. Engineers developed techniques for processing entire mixes to maximize their sonic performance on a physical vinyl record. Mastering came into its own as musicians and listeners demanded higher fidelity from vinyl records. Back then mastering engineers were more like technicians who oversaw the process. Historically mastering meant transferring a piece of music from a recording medium like analog tape to a production medium like vinyl records. A mastering engineer will ensure that a track is competitive with other commercial recordings and will sound good on all speaker combinations.
Mastering engineers are skilled audio engineers who specialize in preparing a recording for release.
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