What is mastering in music? How do you master a song? This video will explain what mastering is and how it's used in music. We will look at the difference between mixing and mastering, and how the mastering chain is built up when mastering music.
In this video, we will show a mastering chain inside FL Studio, but the same mastering techniques can be used for any DAW. I will show you some quick examples of how to master a song using EQ, compression, saturation, stereo widening, and so on.
Mastering is the final step for any music producer. When a track is mixed down properly, it should be 99% finished. Mastering is the very last step of the process. Mastering will ensure that the song is brought up to commercial levels and that any problem frequencies and such are fixed. Mastering can fix certain problems in a mix, but it's not intended as a tool to fix a broken mix. That's not what mastering is about. Mastering is all about polishing the final mix. If your mix does not sound good before mastering, then mastering will not be able to save it. You should make sure that your mix is sounding as good as possible before mastering your song.
Note: This is a video about what mastering is, it's not intended as a dedicated mastering tutorial. The processing shown here is just some quick examples to show what will typically be used!
A dedicated mastering tutorial will come later.
00:00 introduction
00:17 The difference between mixing and mastering
00:43 What is mastering music?
02:42 How a mastering engineer works
03:32 can you master a song in a bedroom studio?
05:32 Typical mastering chain
05:37 How to master a song (EQ)
07:03 How to master a song (Compression)
07:43 How to master a song (Stereo width)
08:16 How to master a song (Saturation)
08:33 How to master a song (Limiting)
09:56 Mastering with Ozone and Online Mastering
The importance of MONO in your mix: https://youtu.be/8rV60fE3Ygo
Compression Explained: https://youtu.be/Jj2e1_KzxiI
How to prepare a track for mastering: https://youtu.be/q9flsQ5VnFQ
How to EQ: https://youtu.be/-LFK2xgKMQU
✔️Ozone Elements: https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/2-Effects/50-Mastering-/5723-Ozone-Elements/?a_aid=5d496680b59cd
✔️ Ozone Advanced: https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/2-Effects/50-Mastering-/5717-Ozone-9-Advanced/?a_aid=5d496680b59cd
✔️Tonal Balance https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/2-Effects/50-Mastering-/6383-Tonal-Balance-Control-2/meta_products/4957/?
✔️ Fabfilter Pro Q3: https://www.pluginboutique.com/meta_products/4957/?a_aid=5d496680b59cd
✔️ Fabfilter Pro C2: https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/2-Effects/8-Compressor/1756-FabFilter-Pro-C-2/?a_aid=5d496680b59cd
✔️ Fabfilter Pro L2: https://www.pluginboutique.com/product/2-Effects/9-Limiter/3955-FabFilter-Pro-L-2/?a_aid=5d496680b59cd
------------------------------------------------------------------
RECOMMENDED STUDIO GEAR:
(Amazon links below)
AUDIO INTERFACE:
☑️ Focusrite Scarlett Solo: https://geni.us/scarlettsolo-3rd-gen
☑️ Focusrite Scarlett 4i4 (3rd Gen): https://geni.us/scarlett-4i4
REFERENCE HEADPHONES:
☑️ AKG 612 PRO: https://geni.us/akg-k612pro
☑️ Beyerdynamic DT 990 PRO: https://geni.us/DT-990-pro
BUDGET MONITORS:
☑️ 5": Yamaha HS5: https://geni.us/Yamaha-HS5
☑️ 7": ADAM Audio: https://geni.us/Adam-Audio-T7V
☑️ 8": Yamaha HS8: https://geni.us/Yamaha-HS8
PROFESSIONAL MONITORS:
☑️ 7": ADAM Audio A7V: https://geni.us/ADAM-A7V
SUBWOOFER:
☑️ KRK 10S2 V2: https://geni.us/krk-10s2v2
MICROPHONE:
☑️ Audio-Technica Cardioid Condenser Studio XLR Microphone: https://geni.us/at2020microphone
☑️ Vocal recording booth/stand for microphone: https://geni.us/microphonebooth
XLR CABLES:
☑️ TISINO 35 ft Balanced XLR cable for mic: https://geni.us/xlr3ftoxlr3m
☑️ Monoprice 6 ft Balanced XLR Cable for monitors: https://geni.us/monoprice104761
SHORTCUT KEYBOARD:
☑️ Backlit FL Studio Shortcut Keyboard: https://geni.us/flstudio-keyboard
☑️Get The Complete Idiot's Guide To Music Theory Here:
https://geni.us/idiotsguidemusictheory
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Check out my mixing and mastering tutorials:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UL73IwwBy5M&list=PLHXwArmcoXThzspl4cn9e2rqbxyFWrC7q
FL Studio tutorials: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r7SDWpSk1h4&list=PLHXwArmcoXTgTCt1bJ6od7CdADqTD35kw
FL Studio quick tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZrWXVD-6XU&list=PLHXwArmcoXTgmxg_XWVnwG6Vtk1Wdivy2
❤️ Support this channel on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/firewalkmusic
❤️ Support us with a one-time PayPal donation:
https://www.paypal.me/firewalkmusic
⚠️ Do you need professional feedback on your track? Mixing or mastering? Check out my gigs on Fiverr: http://www.fiverr.com/firewalk
Follow FireWalk on social media:
http://www.facebook.com/djfirewalk
http://www.soundcloud.com/djfirewalk
http://www.instagram.com/firewalk_music
http://www.twitter.com/firewalk_music
📧 Business inquiries:
firewalk.official@gmail.com