ABSTRACT
This chapter shows music producers appropriate tools and guides them through the thought process. Using special tools, a mastering engineer can work wonders in such a situation. With the average project though, it’s “just” about improving sound by using equalizing, compression and limiting. In order to increase energy and impact, dynamic range is often reduced in mastering. Although this improves the audibility of softer elements in the mix, the spectrum will become denser and more linear. In mastering, multiband compression can be used to correct mix problems. Although professional mastering software offers a streamlined workflow for common mastering tasks, there is no difference in sound quality with popular digital audio workstations like Cubase, Logic or Pro Tools. Mastering in the mix allows music producers to undo certain by-effects of mastering. In the ideal world, negative side effects of mastering can be counteracted in the mix.
