Mastering & Release

The last five percent, and getting it heard.

Loudness, tonal balance, delivery formats and the business of releasing.

What mastering is

And what it cannot fix.

1. Mastering and mixing: what is the difference?
2. Preparing a mix for mastering
3. Tonal balance and reference songs
4. Mastering a single or an album

The chain

Small moves, carefully.

1. Corrective EQ on the master
2. Multiband and glue compression on the master
3. Saturation and warmth on the master
4. Stereo width and mono bass on the master
5. Limiting, LUFS, true peak and streaming
6. Mastering check

Release

Files, metadata and platforms.

1. Delivery formats and sample rates
2. Song details, artwork and credits
3. Track order and spacing
4. Master and publish a track
5. Mastering final