10 steps to a quick master in iZotope Ozone
Mastering music is often seen as a “dark art,” but the phrase is really a misnomer – it isn’t any more of a secret than any other part...
How and when to use stem EQ in mastering for a more polished sound
As a mastering engineer, the variety of mixes you receive from clients can be all over the map, sonically. Some songs need a major overhaul, and others...
What are audio artifacts? Types, causes, and removal techniques
At some point in your career as an audio engineer, you’ll come across audio that was either recorded improperly, mixed poorly, or was transferred...
From the pros: 5 essential mastering tips for 2025
Mastering can seem intimidating, but the truth is, it's more accessible than you might think. Like any creative skill, mastering is a craft honed through...
The history of mastering: evolution of techniques and technology
The art of audio mastering can sometimes be described as a "dark art" (in my opinion, this description is overly dramatic), but perhaps this...
RMS levels defined: how to get consistent loudness levels in mastering
Despite the audio industry heaving a sigh of collective relief in the retirement (mostly) of the “Loudness Wars,” it is important that a song can stand up...
Getting to know brickwall limiters: a sound engineer's essential tool
At its most basic definition, a limiter is a compressor with a high ratio. While audio compression and limiting both involve dynamic range control and...
Stem mastering: How and when to use stems in audio mastering
In the traditional process of stereo mastering, a mastering engineer works on putting the finishing touches on a stereo mixdown of a song. However, in...
How to Become a Mastering Engineer
What does a mastering engineer do? While to some it may seem like some “dark art,” a mastering engineer’s role, by definition, is pretty straightforward....
