Audio Mastering
Joshua Margolis
Music and Performing Arts, Recording and
Technology
Structuring
The workflow and process of a master engineer includes multiple stages of
structuring a project. The structure consists of:
• Sequencing- creatively arranging songs in an album allowing it to flow
from beginning to end in a smooth manner.
•Separating Tracks- Paying close attention to the intro/outro of each song
listening for abrupt stops or fadeouts that can be lead into the next song
without losing the energy or intensity, track to track.
What is Mastering?
Mastering is a carefully practiced skill that requires discipline, distinct in its
specialty from those of the mixing, tracking, or live sound engineer. This is
the last step in finalizing and assembling a musical project, allowing a track
to sound as good as it possibly can before the product is released to
manufacturers. A master engineer is utilized for a final listen through of the
project, who then has access to tools that can be used to adjust, alter or
enhance the sound of a project in order to make songs sonically cohesive.
Outboard/Software/Consoles
Compressors:
• Manley Vari-Mu, tube compressor, (pop recordings).
• Cranesong STC-8, a high quality stereo analog compressor
combined with a peak limiter
Equalizers:
• GML-9500, equalizer built by George Massenburg, custom designed
for mastering.
•Fades- fade in/fade outs are used to try and carry on or alter the perception
of the listener. It is always in the engineers interest to have good sense of
anticipation toward the context of the music.
• Manley Massive Passive, equalizer with a high gain tube amplifier.
Limiters:
• Waves L2, a limiter that became a staple for most mastering engineers.
Now offered as a software base plug-in.
Processing
Digital Audio Workstations (software):
Most master engineers will use equalization, compression, and limiting as
their bulk of processing, allowing for a signal to be altered, sonically and/or
dynamically.
• Cube-Tec, custom desighned by Audio Cube.
Consoles:
• MMC 1, an analog multi-channel mastering console.
Manufacturing
The last step In finalizing a project is the manufacturing, making a product
ready for distribution
.
• Red Book- is an industry standard of specific technical guidelines in
properly formatting and releasing an audio CD (compact disc)
• PQ Sheet- is an organized printed sheet containing information such as
track numbers, track name, track times, gaps, pauses, and ISRC codes
(International Standard Recording Code)
• Glass Master- is creating the final disc by proper plating and stamping
techniques performed in a self enclosed room.
•Equalization- allows an engineer to accurately pinpoint and adjust certain
frequencies of audio, in order satisfy a song tonally and sonically.
The GML-9500,George Massenburg Labs provides full adjustable
frequency and bandwidth controls, allowing for precision and
accurate execution.
•Compression- In mastering, compressors are an industry standard that
generally enhance pop recordings by controlling the maximum levels and
maintaining higher average of loudness.
The Cranesong STC-8 is an analog compressor that is optimized
for mastering.
•Noise reduction- Noise reduction is an important process to mastering
because when compressed, unheard noise that is unwanted is revealed.
Cedar Cambridge designs specified noise reduction units for
mastering, as well as their software base programs, Cedar Retouch.
References
Purpose
Mastering is an important step in the audio production chain that allows for
another set of ears to evaluate your audio. This gives fresh insight and
perspective from another audio technician, who then is capable of proposing
and executing possible ideas that can be applied to the production of the
album.
The final outcome of the mastered product, solely relies on where the client
wants to target his/her audience and at what level of competition. This starts
back at the beginning stages of mixing, where it is important to mix having
the intention of the product fall into the hands of a master engineer.
1.
Katz, Robert A. Mastering Audio: the Art and the Science. Burlington, MA: Focal, 2007. Print.
2.
Owsinski, Bobby, and Sally Englefried. The Mastering Engineer's Handbook: the Audio Mastering
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White, Paul. Basic Mastering. London: SMT, 2000. Print.
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George Massenburg Labs. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.massenburg.com>.
9.
Avid | Home. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.avid.com>.
10.
Crane Song Website. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cranesong.com/products.html>.
11.
PSPaudioware.com - High Quality Audio Processors and Effects Plug-ins in AudioUnit, RTAS and VST
Format for Mac and PC. Web. 08 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.pspaudioware.com>.
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<http://www.cedaraudio.com/products/cambridge/cambridge.html>.
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Algorithmix - Advanced DSP Technologies- High-End Digital Audio Algorithms, Software and Hardware
for Recording, Post-Production, Mastering, Restoration and Forensic. Web. 08 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.algorithmix.com/>.
14.
Audio Plugins for Mixing, Mastering & Recording | Waves. Web. 08 Mar. 2011.
<http://www.waves.com>.
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Tangerine Mastering in Weehawken, NJ. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. <http://www.tangerinemastering.com/>.
"CEDAR Cambridge™ Audio Restoration System." CEDAR Audio Ltd: Audio Restoration Systems. Web.
25 Jan. 2011. <http://www.cedar-audio.com/products/cambridge/cambridge.html>.
"Audiocube." Cube-Tec International. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cube-tec.com/audiocube/>.