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There was a time, before the total dominance of computer-based DAWs, when the vast majority of bedroom producers really had no idea what mastering was, or why you’d want to entertain it. We understood mixing, because faders are fairly self-explanatory, but not so with the aural depth of mastering. Before we look at how we can now handle this process ourselves, let’s take a moment to reflect on its legacy.
Mastering is the final process in the production chain; it’s where you take your finished mix and give it that final bit of spit and polish, before you send it up the wire to your chosen streaming service for public consumption. Make no mistake, a good master can breathe life into a mix, but how is this done?
It’s easiest to think of mastering in terms of its signal processing chain, wherein one process leads to the next. For example, you may choose to use equalisation to brighten your mix, or enhance the bottom end, while the next process may involve compressing your mix. There are other tricks we can use to add grit or sweetness.
In a pre-DAW age, tape would have been mastered through a series of analogue devices, such as EQ, compressors and limiters. The very sound of these units, including the tape machine itself, would add colour and enhancement to the final mix. The finished article would be the master, ready for pressing to record or CD.
In 1996, TC Electronics introduced the Finalizer; a 1U, rack-mounted product that could perform the entire mastering process in one box. It caught on; in fact, it completely changed the industry for home producers. It was therefore only a matter of time before the technology progressed to the DAW level.
There is plenty of pro-aimed mastering software on the market, but it’s also possible to achieve great results using our core DAW elements. Understanding the process is key, so let’s walk through some basics, in order to release your mastering mojo.
Setup and equalisation
So you want to do some mastering? The first steps could be more vital than you think…
Before you begin mastering a track, consider your setup. You don’t need to have a massive arsenal of software, but you do need to ensure that you’ve got some basics, and these should all be kept close to hand.
Most DAWs are pre-equipped with plugins that are ideal for simple, or even more advanced mastering. Regardless of your DAW of choice, try using these ready-to-go tools before spending extra dough.
It’s helpful to have a volume control; you might choose to use your computer’s volume, but having an audio interface, with a handy level pot, is by far the most ideal solution. You don’t want to be working at terribly high volume, and you certainly don’t want to be caught out by a sudden loud burst of audio, so remain ready to adjust that dial should you need to.
And you’re going to need some form of monitoring. Headphones can be useful to check mixes, but there is no substitute for planting your head between a pair of studio monitors. The ideal is to have your computer in the centre, with monitors on either side, so that as you make adjustments to your track, you can hear them easily, without the need to move your head very
