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What is mastering?

• Mastering is the final step of audio post-production. 

• Even if you’ve heard the term before, beginner and intermediate engineers aren’t always clear on what mastering is in music production.

• They’re here to break it down.

• The purpose of mastering is to balance the sonic elements of a stereo mix and optimize playback across all systems and media formats. Traditionally, mastering is done using tools like equalization, compression, limiting and stereo enhancement.

• Mastering is the final polish that turns a finished mix into a release that’s ready for listeners to experience on all devices—from tiny iPhone speakers to massive dance club sound systems.

What is audio mixing?

• Audio mixing is the process of taking recorded tracks and blending them together. Tracks are blended using various processes such as EQ, Compression and Reverb.

• The goal of mixing is to bring out the best in your multi-track recording by adjusting levels, panning, and time-based audio effects (chorus, reverb, delay). The aim is to sculpt your arrangement to make sense of all your tracks in relation to each other.

• A multitrack recording is anything with more than one individual track (also referred to as stems). There’s no right or wrong number of tracks.

• You just can’t have zero. The final output of a multitrack recording is also known as the mixdown. The mixdown is the final step before mastering.It doesn’t matter if you’re recording tracks with microphones and pre-amps, or using pre-recorded sample packs, learning how to mix for yourself is very important. 

• Taking control of your artistic and creative vision will take your music to the next level. It’ll make you a better producer.

What is EQ?

• Every sound is made of frequencies. Frequency is measured with Hertz (Hz). Equalizing is the art of boosting, cutting and balancing all the frequencies in a mix to get the sound you want.

• You’ll often hear the frequency spectrum described as the highs, mids and lows. Bass instruments have a very low-heavy, boomy sound. Their output is mostly low in the frequency spectrum. Alternately, a snare or a high-hat are often a lot more tinny, so they will typically appear in the mid or high frequencies.

• Even though they can place these sounds in the general high and low categories, all sounds will have important information in both the highs and the lows. Keep this in mind while you’re mixing.