Mastering

The Mastering Process

We provide Professional Song and Album Mastering at an affordable rate. We create master copies you can be confident to play on any speaker system.

What is a master and why do I need one?

At the end of the mastering session, the mastering engineer creates a duplication master. This master represents the culmination of all the creative aspects of the recording process. The artist’s performance and vision must, at this point, be fully captured. This master must also be technically prepared for duplication. The duplication house will make a glass master for pressing large quantities of discs, but if duplication is performed properly, every copy ever made should sound exactly like the master created at the end of the mastering session. Say no more, right?!

When I’m done recording and mixing, should I master? Why do I need it?

From the final mix which is generated during the mixing session, the mastering engineer performs some or all of the following tasks during the Mastering Process: Put tracks in order (sequence). Edit within the music. Remove unwanted pops, clicks or other noises. Add sound effects such as crowd noises or cheers. Place appropriate ID’s and spaces between songs. Make album or program sound consistent (equalize, compress). Maximize music so it is as powerful as possible. Create duplication master to meet technical requirements of final format(s).

What Does Mastering Accomplish?

Mastering serves both the creative and the technical needs of the final audio program. During the mastering process, an album is made more powerful, polished and professional, always with the artist’s vision in mind. If mastered properly with the assistance of specialized equipment, ears and expertise, the final version of an album should be competitive both on radio and disc with the levels and overall sonic fingerprint of the industry’s major albums.