4 Popular mixing reference tracks: why they work
Besides your listening environment and metering tools, reference tracks are just as essential to helping you navigate a mix session—whether...
How to EQ Your Master
EQ may be one of the first things we learn about as soon as we enter the world of music production and audio engineering. However, EQ takes on a more...
How to Use Compression in Mastering
Although audio compression is crucial in every mastering engineer’s toolkit, its application in mastering is more nuanced and intentional. After all,...
10 Beginner Mistakes to Avoid When Mastering Music
Mastering tends to have the notorious reputation of being difficult for aspiring engineers to learn. But being highly-skilled in mastering is absolutely...
How to Use an Audio Exciter in Mastering
Compared to recording and mixing, mastering leans more heavily on technical strategies to ensure that your music best translates in various commercial...
8 Mixing Tips for Better Audio Masters
We’ve covered various mixing tips and techniques over the years, but one thing everyone can all agree on—regardless of genre, production style,...
Mastering for Vinyl: Tips for Digital Mastering Engineers
Since the resurgence of vinyl in the mid-2000s, vinyl sales have shown no signs of slowing down. But with its return comes a new set of challenges for...
Mastering Pros: How Loud Should My Master Be?
“How loud should my master be?”—this is the age-old question that has dominated every mastering discussion through the decades, and one that...
Automation in the Audio Mastering World
Automation isn't just for mixing engineers. Neither is automation strictly limited to volume rides. Whether you're working in the analog or digital...
Working With a Mastering Engineer: Tips from the Pros
Mastering can often be seen as a dark art, one that those uninvolved shy away from. As a result, it can sometimes make the communication between a mastering...
Experts Discuss 5 Beautifully Mixed & Mastered Tracks from the Last 40 Years
What makes a brilliant-sounding record? It takes solid musical chops, inspired songwriting, and great production skills to get started. But to fully take...
Mastering Ambient Music without Drums
Mastering a mixed production means effectively translating the energy and transients of drums in the world of limited headroom. But what if there are no drums...
Power to the People: Simple DIY Mastering with Ozone
Today’s innovations in music technology have empowered everyday creators to explore more complex production techniques. One thing, however, has remained a...
