Mastering Tips

DonovanB

So I have recorded some tracks and mixed them to my satisfaction.

What is the process of mastering and how do I go about it? The only exposure I've had previously is the mastering toolkit on the BR600 etc which make it so much easier.

Mo-Facta

It's a bit of a broad question, especially since mastering can not be taught over the internet, never mind in one post.

First, a simple distinction.

The term "mastering" actually refers to the process of making a master copy for duplication at the pressing plant and not to the phase of processing required before it is made into a glass master in the case of a CD or a lacquer disc in the case of vinyl. The phase of processing prior to the creation of a master disc could be better termed as "pre-mastering" and is, I assume, what you are asking about.

Nowadays in the era of the digital studio, "mastering" is often mistaken as the ironing out of spectral inconsistencies in a recording or mix and, to some extent, enhancement of the material, along with the ever ubiquitous pursuit of loudness. The truth is that a mix does not have to made loud in order to be mastered just as mastering does not always require EQ, multiband compression, or limiting. After all, the perfect mix is one that requires no mastering.

Mastering can really only be applied to multiple songs on a compilation - an album - that are processed in relation to one another along with well timed fades and breaks between tracks. It is the job of the mastering engineer to match the tone, volume and overall vibe of each track as they relate to one another. For this reason, the loudest track is usually chosen as a starting point from which all other tracks are referenced but this is slowly becoming moot as the dynamics in music slowly fade away into steady state nothingness.

Attempting to master your own tracks can be a can of worms, too. It truly takes years of experience to know what you are doing and to ensure that you are really helping the situation instead of making it worse. Our ears are easily tricked and it's easy to think, "wow, that sounds better" when in reality all you've done is make it louder. Another problem is that many people are under the misconception that mastering the magic bullet for their recordings. Granted, a highly experienced mastering engineer can improve a mix to some degree but the truth is that he is not a magician but merely a man who has ears that are well tuned to spectral problems, a mind full of clever solutions and a rack full of carefully chosen tools that took years to acquire the savvy to know how to use them correctly.

All that being said, I would say that if you are planning to release the material, go to a professional. It'll cost you some bucks but it will save you the headache of attempting it yourself.

I just can not with good conscience give you advice like "get Izotope Ozone", or "use EQ, multiband compression, wideband compression, and brickwall limiting in that order".

Wish I could offer more.

Cheers ?

DonovanB

Thanks Mo.

Most of us don't have an understanding of it, so the questions will always be broad. It's good to have someone around to help us understand a bit better.

I've always tried to mix well so that it comes out perfect to my ears. I think I'm getting better at it, in fact I'm gonna post an example one of these days for opinion, I've just been working with the guide vocal and I'm waiting to get the better takes down before sharing. (excuses excuses)

Back to Mastering, so you say it's better to get it done before releasing an album or the like? I can see the point of that, so the whole album has a similar feel and tone.

I just have one problem, every time I've seen this question, or a similar one asked the same response is this;

Mo Facta wrote: All that being said, I would say that if you are planning to release the material, go to a professional. It'll cost you some bucks but it will save you the headache of attempting it yourself.

I'd like to get some practice in on my own, insignificant recordings so that in the future that headache will be a lot less, or non-existent. I'm going to tinker and learn as I go along. and when I do release I'll probably do just that, get someone else to do the mastering.

For the time being, do you know of people in SA who can do mastering for bands? I see Abbey road studios are offering the service now as well.

Mo-Facta

If you want a good mastering service at a really reasonable rate, check out Lapdust Audio Mastering in Douglasdale, Joburg:

http://www.lapdust.com/

Rogan has got a really well designed studio with top class gear (analogue and digital) and he's does really great work. He's mastered albums for pretty much anyone who's anyone in SA music.

Don't quote me on his price but from what I can remember he charges R370 per track. For what you get, that's a pretty good rate.

Cheers ?

Aleks

This was very informative!
Thanks a million to Mo Facta. I've been very curious as to what mastering actually is, and this has broadened my horizons. ?

Malkav

You get the idea, just search it on youtube, there are about 31 different videos in this series. They're interesting and informative and can help you get some new ideas, though I do hate the music he's producing, it does very easily show up what he's doing. They're from the channel recordingrevolution and they have a site here: http://www.recordingrevolution.com/ : You may find this useful.

Soundinmind

Hey,

Good way of explaining mastering.

Its best to go to someone who is a pro, mastering is a experience thing and takes some years to get right. Plus the gear is really expensive that you need in order to do it the same way the pros do, however you can get to maybe 80% on the loudness side by yourself using things like Slates FG-X but on the other hand, mastering also involves getting it to work on all systems, like car radios, hi fis, tv etc etc etc.. thats the one part that is seriously hard to get right.

Check out MMX Mastering also, they fairly well priced and good. www.mastermax.co.za

Cheers!

Mo-Facta

I would just like to add that the pursuit of loudness is not a result of artists pushing for it. It is a result of ignorant marketing and A&R departments who are hoping to distinguish their product from competitors.

It's sad, really, as music sounds best with a wide dynamic range, which supplies punch and contrast. Hypercompressed and overly loud material actually sounds thin when auditioned to similar material with a wide dynamic at the same perceived volume.

You can thank the label mooks and their worldwide followers for that.

Cheers ?