Mastering Tips

The aim of any mastering session is to ultimately end up with an audio CD that is 100% ready for CD replication with excellent and consistent sound quality from start to finish. In simple terms, mastering with an experienced engineer at a professional mastering house makes things sound as good as they possibly can.

HANDY HINTS:
Prior to your mastering booking, it is advisable to supply a concise description via e-mail outlining what you require from your mastering session. The following information should be provided to ensure your recording is mastered efficiently and to budget:

• The format(s) from which you plan to master from (eg. audio CD, 24-bit WAV files, DAT tape, etc)
• Any additional editing requirements (eg. removal of audio within tracks, inserting audio snippets, cross fades or ID info, etc
• The number of tracks you are mastering, plus whether or not you are adding ISRC codes

An example of the above might read something like this :
“There are 12 tracks to be mastered – 10 from audio CD and 2 from my laptop – with approximately 2-second gaps between tracks except for tracks 11 and 12 which run together (but Track 12 will require its own track ID). A sample CD is required to sign off on before proceeding to replication.”


IF ATTENDING YOUR MASTERING SESSION:
Ensure you book ahead and are punctual – bookings in our mastering suite are essential based on the number of clients requiring our services.

Have everything 100% organised before arrival – all relevant info and “parts” (ISRC-codes, source audio CD, track listing, etc) to be used in the mastering process.

Allow the mastering engineer to do his job properly – he knows his speakers and room acoustics better than anyone, and will offer advice on the overall sound of your project (as well as listening to your opinion and specific requirements).

Once you have thoroughly auditioned your sample CD, advise your mastering contact via e-mail that you are happy with the overall sound of your CD and ready to proceed to replication. Should there be any adjustments necessary, explain precisely what is required and request another sample CD if necessary.

CONCLUSION:
Audio mastering is the most important part in preparing your CD for release. It is the last opportunity to make any final technical adjustments (tonally and level-wise) to your end-product (ie replicated CDs).

Mastering requires a great deal of objectivity and precision. Don’t make the all-too-common mistake of thinking that mastering is something that anyone can do in any home studio situation - it's a lot harder than that.

A mastering engineer offers an experienced set of ears, operating state-of-the-art top-line audio-mastering equipment. Mastering at a well-regarded facility is undoubtedly the best way to guarantee your work is represented at the highest quality possible.

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