Audio mastering is typically misunderstood and honestly many people mistake it for simply boosting the output signal. In truth, audio mastering is so much more than that from carefully sculpting your audio to getting is set for a physical pressing, so let’s talk about why audio mastering is so important if you plan on releasing your music commercially on any level.
Audio mastering does two major things. First, and most importantly, it makes your music sound substantially better. No matter how good your songs are or how good that final mix sounds, it can sound better, much better, in the hands of an experienced audio mastering engineer (like the ones here at Online-Audio-Mastering.com, so why not get a free sample master of your music to hear from yourself?).
What makes it sound so much better? The artful application of audio processing in the form of dozens of plugins to sculpt and develop the sound for the better using the fresh and unbiased ear of the mastering engineer. A few of the more common tools in the audio mastering engineer’s belt are compression, EQ, limiters, and stereo widening effects.
Compression is a powerful tool for gluing together a mix which sounds like it’s properly leveled but at the same time all over the place. This brings the dynamic range a bit closer together, sacrificing that range while simultaneously giving it a lot more presence and stability. The gloss you hear in a lot of major label artists’ music which was recorded in even the most lacking of conditions initially has been developed predominantly through the use of smart compression.
EQ is fantastic for sculpting and achieving different sounds out of the same finished mix just by pushing or pulling back the influence difference frequency ranges have over the final mix. If you get a mix which is too bass heavy, you can correct that by balancing it out in the EQ. Boosting the high end can give your mix a much brighter sound. Moderation is especially key here to give the high end just enough shine without compromising the initial final mix.
Stereo widening is good for getting a larger and more encompassing sound out of a flat sounding mix. This makes the song take on the true stereo effect and feel like its enveloping its listeners. This is extremely effective on a two-dimensional sounding recording.
In addition to just improving the audio itself, audio mastering is where the album is prepped for a physical release. Gaps and sequencing are decided here, information is written to the final album’s files, and ultimately the album is made to be completely ready for replication in whatever form the artist wants whether that’s on compact disc or the recently resurgent vinyl.
Whether you’re interested in a digital or physical release of your music, trust the expert engineers at Online-Audio-Mastering.com to develop and unlock the true potential of your audio today. Why not begin with a free sample master to hear the difference firsthand and under 24 hours turnaround time, guaranteed?