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Audio Mastering 101
Mastering is the final stage of audio production. Learn the basics of what mastering is in this guide.
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Browse our most recent tutorials and articles.
Learn Mixing
How to Mix Music 101
New to mixing? Start here. Learn the fundamentals of audio mixing, and discover resources to mix like a pro.
Audio Mixing
Diver deeper into audio mixing with the resources below.
EQ
Dynamics
Audio Effects
Mixing Levels
Mixing Workflow
Mix Bus Processing
Principles of Equalization: How to EQ Your Mix
Learn about what EQ is, how equalization impacts the sound of your tracks, and discover the different types of EQs used in audio production.
Choosing the Right EQ
This article will help you figure out which EQ is right for the job, and why.
When to Use Dynamic EQ In a Mix
How does a dynamic EQ work and when should it be used in a mix? Find out in this tutorial.
12 Common EQ Mistakes Mixing Engineers Make
Read twelve common EQ mistakes audio engineers make, along with descriptions and strategies for dealing with them.
7 Tips for Using Subtractive EQ When Mixing Audio
Subtractive EQ can give producers and audio engineers immediate results mixing audio. In this post we provide seven tips for how to use it.
Audio Dynamics 101: Compressors, Limiters, Expanders, and Gates
Audio dynamics processing is a major part of mixing in music production. In this article, we discuss the basics of dynamics in audio.
Multiband Compression Basics
Learn when to reach for a multiband compressor along with how to set it up for mixing or mastering.
What Is De-essing? The Dos and Don’ts of Using a De-esser
De-essing is useful for reducing harshness in vocals and other instruments. Learn what de-essing is and how to use a de-esser.
An Introduction to Limiters (and How to Use Them)
Learn when to use them, how to use them, and how to recognize when you’re over-processing.
Everything You Need to Know About Noise Gates
Learn what noise gates are and how to effectively use them to remove noise and sculpt the dynamics of your audio.
Understanding Chorus, Flangers, and Phasers in Audio Production
In this article, you’ll learn all about chorus, flanger, and phaser effects. Identify the differences between them, how they work, and how to use them in audio mixing.
Signal Chain: Order of Operations
Learn the difference between signal flow and signal chain, as well as how to set up a plug-in signal chain in a DAW.
9 Tips for Using Sculptor in Your Mix
Learn 9 ways to use Sculptor in Neutron to enhance your mix. Intelligently shape tone, add depth, and more with instrument-specific target processing.
10 Common Delay Mistakes Mixing Engineers Make
Discover these ten common delay mistakes mixing engineers make and learn how to avoid them in your sessions.
5 Signs of Over-Processing in a Mix
In a world of boundless plug-ins, it's easy to overdo it. We look at five signs of over-processing.
Gain Staging: What It Is and How to Do It
Gain staging is tough to understand—so let us explain it! In this article, we’ll give you a modern approach to gain staging, as well as a brief history of the term in analog and digital contexts
What Is Metering in Mixing and Mastering?
Examine metering tools as they relate to levels, frequency content, stereo spread, and dynamic range.
Loudness Metering and Visualizations
Learn why loudness metering and visualizations matter in mixing and mastering, and how they can help keep the subjectivity of human perception in check.
Headroom: How to Set Your Levels in Mixing and Mastering
Learn what headroom is, why it's important in both mixing and mastering, and how it ties into the related concept of crest factor.
Mastering Pros: How Loud Should My Master Be?
Make your masters loud through a healthy combination of critical listening and an understanding of the key factors that directly influence loudness in mastering.
How Inter-plugin Communication Shows up in Your Workflow
Learn how iZotope plug-ins streamline your workflow to accomplish common mix tasks.
How to Use Mix Assistant in iZotope Neutron
Learn how to use Mix Assistant to automatically set initial track levels in your next session.
Session File Management
Learn the best practices for organizing your session files and streamlining your production.
Mixing While Producing Music: Good or Bad Idea?
We discuss the pros and cons of both approaches with consideration for genre and workflow.
What Is Mix Automation? Everything You've Been Too Afraid to Ask
Learn what mix automation is, when to use it, the types of automation modes, and more.
Mix Bus 101: Why, When, and How to Group Tracks into a Bus
Learn everything you need to know about the mix bus, master bus, and aux bus to get better sonic control and improved organization within your mixes, all while being more CPU friendly.
5 Approaches to Submixes
In this blog we cover a few ways to set up submixes, from the simplest to the most grandiose.
Aux vs. Inserts: to Send or Not to Send?
Learn how and when to use aux vs. insert audio effects on your next production.
The Difference Between VCA and Sub-Groups in Mixing
VCAs and sub-group busses can be easily confused. Here’s your primer on the difference and when it makes sense to use one vs. the other.
6 Beginner Mistakes with Sends and Return Effects
What are sends? What are return effects? We answer these questions and list six mistakes to avoid when using them.
Audio Mastering
Diver deeper into audio mastering with the resources below.
Loudness
EQ in Mastering
Reference Tracks
Stereo Imaging
Tonal Balance
Mastering Pros: How Loud Should My Master Be?
Make your masters loud through a healthy combination of critical listening and an understanding of the key factors that directly influence loudness in mastering.
Loudness in Mastering
Dig a little deeper into the craft of mastering to think harder about what contributes to the experience of loudness.
Headroom: How to Set Your Levels in Mixing and Mastering
Learn what headroom is, why it's important in both mixing and mastering, and how it ties into the related concept of crest factor.
Loudness Metering and Visualizations in Mastering
Learn more about the importance of metering and visualizations in mastering.
Mastering for Streaming Platforms: Normalization, LUFS, and Loudness Myths Demystified
Learn how to bust myths on mastering for Spotify and streaming platforms—from the real reason why your song sounds so quiet, to peak level and album balance.
EQ (Equalization) in Mastering
Learn how EQ in mastering can help correct and restore the clarity and intelligibility of a track, why you should prep before applying EQ, why filter shapes matter, and how to make thoughtful subtractive and additive EQ decisions.
How to Use Dynamic EQ in Mastering
Learn how and when to use dynamic EQ in your audio mastering practice, along with some common techniques to enhance and control different frequency regions.
How to Use Match EQ in Ozone
Learn how to use Match EQ in Ozone to match your session to any reference track to an extreme degree with an EQ that uses over 8,000 separate bands to get the most precise snapshot possible.
Subtractive EQ: a Mastering Engineer's Not-So-Secret Weapon
Learn about the many capabilities of subtractive EQ in mastering, as seen through the perspective of professional mastering engineers.
5 Ear Training Exercises to Listen Like a Mastering Engineer
Explore five ear training exercises to help you sharpen your listening skills and listen like a mastering engineer.
How to Mix and Master with Reference Tracks in Ozone
Learn ways to compare and contrast your music to reference tracks quickly and intelligently using tools like Ozone and Tonal Balance Control.
How to Use Reference Tracks in a Mastering Session
Follow these guidelines to ensure mastering results that are most authentic to the music.
4 Popular Mixing Reference Tracks, and Why They Work
Mixing reference tracks are indispensable. Hear four of the best chosen by a seasoned engineer, and visualize their frequency balance with help from Tonal Balance Control.
Reference Tracks in Mastering
Learn how to use reference tracks in your mastering session, how to identify quality references, and any pitfalls to avoid.
12 Great Reference Mixes for Rock in the Modern Age
You might not know which tunes to reference when mixing or mastering rock music, so check out these 12 modern rock mixes while referencing during the production, mixing, or mastering process.
What Is Mix Depth? How to Create Front-Back Space
In this article, we’ll look at how to add depth to a mix with practical tips related to EQ, timbre, reverb, and more.
Stereo Imaging in Mastering
Knowing when to adjust the width of your stereo image in mastering is crucial, and can be a challenge for both amateur and expert engineers. Learn how to manage stereo, mono, and mid/side signals in your next session.
What is Mid/Side Processing?
Learn what mid/side processing is and how to use it when mixing and mastering.
6 Tips for Using the Updated Imager in Ozone
Learn how to use Ozone Imager to achieve that wide, record-ready sound in your song.
6 Tips for Widening the Stereo Image of a Mix
Here are six stereo imaging tips to get a pro-sounding mix, with consideration for genre, song structure, and mono compatibility.
What Is Tonal Balance in Mixing and Mastering?
Discover what tonal balance is and how you can achieve good tonal balance in mixing and mastering using tools and methods outlined in this tutorial.
How and When to Use Tonal Balance Control
Learn how to translate your mix into a balanced master with Tonal Balance Control in Ozone, designed to address balance issues across your session.
6 Tips to Improve the Tonal Balance of a Mix
Learn six tips to find that perfect middle ground between level and frequency—also known as achieving tonal balance.
1920s to Now: Comparing Tonal Balance in Popular Music
We ran a bunch of songs through the Tonal Balance Control plug-in. This is what we discovered about frequency distribution in mixes from each era of popular music.
Leveling Up Your Mastering Workflow with Tonal Balance Control
Learn how new features in Tonal Balance Control can help improve your current mastering workflow and offer a framework for those without one.
Latest Videos
Watch the latest tutorials from top artists and audio engineers using iZotope Products.
Are You Listening?
Watch the latest season of the hit mastering series.
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