HOME MASTERING CHEAT SHEET

What is mastering?
EQ, ompression limiting and other pro essing on a stereo file
Making the tra k sound etter , making sure it s translata le, and making it
louder.
But this is a er narro ie
To me, it s all a out getting a se ond opinion
Managing the relationship et een songs and making a olle tion of songs
sound like an al um
Song order
Continuit
It s also a out reating Red Book standard files for CD printing and e porting at
appropriate settings for other ser i es

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Mastering in 15 simple steps
Optimize listening en ironment

Finish the mi , mi it to sound mastered

Che k the le els

Boun e do n stereo tra k

Ha e a reak, 1 da at least

Create a ne proje t and import referen es

First listen, take note of issues

Full anal sis. Compare to referen es, take note of issues. Multiple
speakers/headphones, take note. Remem er - important to
ha e moti ation first.

Tonal fi ing ith EQ and multi and

Appl ompression

Optional enhan ements - stereo idening, tape

simulation/saturation, automation

Limiting

Final he ks

Dither to 16 it and e port at 44.1khz

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