Audio Mastering

1. 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. • 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. 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. • 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. • Digital Audio Workstations (software): • Cube-Tec, custom desighned by Audio Cube. • Consoles: • MMC 1, an analog multi-channel mastering console. Processing 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. • 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 • Katz, Robert A. Mastering Audio: the Art and the Science. Burlington, MA: Focal, 2007. Print. • Owsinski, Bobby, and Sally Englefried. The Mastering Engineer's Handbook: the Audio Mastering Handbook. Boston, MA : Thomson Course Technology PTR, 2008. Print. • White, Paul. Basic Mastering. London: SMT, 2000. Print. • "CEDAR Cambridge™ Audio Restoration System." CEDAR Audio Ltd: Audio Restoration Systems. Web. 25 Jan. 2011. <http://www.cedar-audio.com/products/cambridge/cambridge.html>. • George Massenburg Labs. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.massenburg.com>. • "Audiocube." Cube-Tec International. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cube-tec.com/audiocube/>. • Avid | Home. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.avid.com>. • Crane Song Website. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cranesong.com/products.html>. • 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>. • "CEDAR Cambridge™ Audio Restoration System." CEDAR Audio Ltd: Audio Restoration Systems. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.cedaraudio.com/products/cambridge/cambridge.html>. • 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/>. • Audio Plugins for Mixing, Mastering & Recording | Waves. Web. 08 Mar. 2011. <http://www.waves.com>. • Tangerine Mastering in Weehawken, NJ. Web. 28 Apr. 2011. <http://www.tangerinemastering.com/>. 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.