Mastering Notes...
Things to check before you put it out there.
1. Genre
What is the genre of the album?
What are the albums that the artist is trying to compete with or emulate?
What does the artist like and not like about the mix?
What album would they like to sound like if they could?
2. Formats
What formats can you handle to transfer the audio files?
Start by recording, mixing, and preparing for mastering by
using higher sampling frequencies and higher bit rates.
Never send off a mix for mastering less than
44.1 kHz, 24 bit
or louder than -16 dB,
or peaks above - 1 dB.
3. Noises
Are there any pops, clicks, tics, glitches, hum or hiss
on any tracks, and do they want them removed?
4. Edits and Fades
Is editing needed, and do the fade-ins and fade-outs
need to be put in correctly?
5. Stereo Image
Does the stereo image need widening or narrowing?
Does a mono track need to be stereo?
Does a hard panned stereo track need narrowing?
6. Compression and Limiting
Does the track need some peaks lowered or the entire track compressed?
Is it already compressed too much?
Is it able to be fixed? Does it need to go back and be remixed?
7. Equalization
This is the most obvious purpose of mastering.
What does it need to sound good?
Are there parts of a track that need special attention?
Can they be made to match the other tracks on the album?
What software or hardware tools would work best on this track?
8. Loudness level
Setting loudness on all tracks so that they flow like a live performance.
All tracks should be about the same level.
Setting the levels to the following loudness standard.
True peaks at -1 db,
LUFS at -16 db LUFS
-23 LUFS version for broadcast.
LUFS levels for left and right tracks should be within 1 dB or even better within .1 dB, or even better within .01 dB.
9. Format
Files for all formats requested, including
metadata, ISRC codes, CD Text, etc.
HD 192 kHz- 24 bit or 96 kHz- 24 bit
DVD 48 kHz- 24 bit
CD 44.1 kHz - 16 bit plus DDP files for CD production
MFIT 44.1 kHz - 24 bit, 96 kHz - 24 bit, files to reduce to 256 kbps (Variable Bit Rate) AAC files
MPEG 44.1 kHz - 16 bit, 320 kbps stereo MP3
There are other formats, of course, but these are the most common.
10. Delivery
(Internet, CD Baby, Soundcloud, Dropbox, CD, DVD Audio, HD audio, Memory Stick, CD Plant, Apple iTunes, etc.)
Things to check before you put it out there.
1. Genre
What is the genre of the album?
What are the albums that the artist is trying to compete with or emulate?
What does the artist like and not like about the mix?
What album would they like to sound like if they could?
2. Formats
What formats can you handle to transfer the audio files?
Start by recording, mixing, and preparing for mastering by
using higher sampling frequencies and higher bit rates.
Never send off a mix for mastering less than
44.1 kHz, 24 bit
or louder than -16 dB,
or peaks above - 1 dB.
3. Noises
Are there any pops, clicks, tics, glitches, hum or hiss
on any tracks, and do they want them removed?
4. Edits and Fades
Is editing needed, and do the fade-ins and fade-outs
need to be put in correctly?
5. Stereo Image
Does the stereo image need widening or narrowing?
Does a mono track need to be stereo?
Does a hard panned stereo track need narrowing?
6. Compression and Limiting
Does the track need some peaks lowered or the entire track compressed?
Is it already compressed too much?
Is it able to be fixed? Does it need to go back and be remixed?
7. Equalization
This is the most obvious purpose of mastering.
What does it need to sound good?
Are there parts of a track that need special attention?
Can they be made to match the other tracks on the album?
What software or hardware tools would work best on this track?
8. Loudness level
Setting loudness on all tracks so that they flow like a live performance.
All tracks should be about the same level.
Setting the levels to the following loudness standard.
True peaks at -1 db,
LUFS at -16 db LUFS
-23 LUFS version for broadcast.
LUFS levels for left and right tracks should be within 1 dB or even better within .1 dB, or even better within .01 dB.
9. Format
Files for all formats requested, including
metadata, ISRC codes, CD Text, etc.
HD 192 kHz- 24 bit or 96 kHz- 24 bit
DVD 48 kHz- 24 bit
CD 44.1 kHz - 16 bit plus DDP files for CD production
MFIT 44.1 kHz - 24 bit, 96 kHz - 24 bit, files to reduce to 256 kbps (Variable Bit Rate) AAC files
MPEG 44.1 kHz - 16 bit, 320 kbps stereo MP3
There are other formats, of course, but these are the most common.
10. Delivery
(Internet, CD Baby, Soundcloud, Dropbox, CD, DVD Audio, HD audio, Memory Stick, CD Plant, Apple iTunes, etc.)
