Mastering is the final stage of audio post-production before the manufacturing process begins. Here your final mixes are optimized sonically to bring consistency and flow to your project.
The mastering process can include corrective EQ, optimization of the dynamic range and stereo field, noise reduction, and forensic repair. Finally, we edit, sequence, and prepare files for the project’s chosen formats, and input metadata.
For maximum effect, we recommend that you listen to the samples using a good pair of headphones or speakers.
When sending your mixes over for mastering, please leave around 5dB of headroom. The loudest parts of your mix should be 5dB below 0.
Turn off any master bus compression or limiting. This includes any effects or plug-ins on the master bus. In the case you prefer to mix with a master bus compressor, it's best to use it sparingly. Please transfer a version of your mix without the bus compressor as well.
The final mixes should be stereo or split mono .wav or .aiff format at the sample and bitrate they were mixed.
Before starting mastering, we will evaluate your mix and suggest changes if necessary or possible. Sometimes a fresh perspective will reveal things that the artist or mixing engineer missed during the mixing session, which can be improved upon to deliver the best results.
The grey zone between mixing and mastering. You feel like your mix isn’t quite there yet…
Mastering makes the sound across your release cohesive and prepares it for distribution across various formats. It’s the final part of the post-production phase, which makes your release sound “finished.”
Your final mixes are optimized sonically to bring consistency and flow to your project. It includes corrective EQ for balance, optimization of the dynamic range and stereo field, noise reduction, and forensic repair. Finally, editing, sequencing, and preparing the files for the project’s chosen formats and input metadata.
Stem mastering allows me to have more control over what I can adjust. For example: if the guitar needs more top end, it can be added without interfering with adjacent frequencies, such as making the cymbals brighter, or if the vocals are too forward/need to be brought back, I can do that without affecting the tonality of the overall mix (see stem mastering).
Sometimes, potential customers request sample masters of a single track before committing to a mastering engineer for their project. While I am aware that some studios do offer this service, I do not.
I believe that it is vital to communicate with customers to achieve what they want from their finished product. This can require extensive communication, and I am happy to revise the work until these expectations are met.
I can master a song at the “single track/single format rate” which can be discounted against the full project’s price if you decide to use Resonance Sound Studio.
My ears are really the best equipment for the job — it’s important to have well-developed listening skills to identify potential problems.
Beyond that, see our equipment list for an overview of the audio equipment we use at RSS.
Different formats have different requirements and limitations, so we always recommend separate masters to ensure each version reaches its full potential. That said, in most cases your vinyl master could double as a cassette master.
