Shawn Joseph, Optimum Mastering

We regularly discuss DIY and at-home mastering tactics in these pages, but be under no illusion that this means there’s less value in using the services of professional mastering studios and engineers. While there are artists out there who master their own tracks themselves (Four Tet being a notable example), the majority of artists, producers and labels will still tell you how important a dedicated mastering service is to their output.

As an artist or producer, part of the appeal of understanding the mastering process is enhancing the way that you work and communicate with a mastering engineer, in order to help both sides get a better understanding of what you ultimately want out of a track.

To get a better grasp of how the pros work, we headed to Bristol’s Optimum Mastering – whose studio graces this issue’s cover – an in-demand studio