Simple Audio Mastering Tips

When to master

Mastering should happen after mixing is complete. Make sure each track is balanced and free of obvious issues before moving to this final step.

Work from a high quality export of the mix. Avoid making mix changes while mastering, as that can undo your focus.

Checking loudness

Aim for reasonable loudness based on your release target. Streaming platforms often use loudness normalization, so extreme levels may not always help.

Use a loudness meter instead of only looking at peak meters. This gives a better view of how loud the track will feel to listeners.

Taming tone

Small EQ moves can fix harshness or muddiness in the whole mix. Cut narrow problem areas before boosting broad ranges to keep natural tone.

Stereo imaging can add space, but keep bass elements centered. Widening low frequencies can cause issues on many speakers and small devices.

Adding final polish

A touch of limiting can raise perceived loudness while controlling peaks. Use it sparingly to avoid squashing the dynamics of the track.

Leave a few decibels of headroom for encoding. This helps prevent distortion when the file is compressed for streaming.

Loud does not mean better when the dynamics are lost.

Key takeaways

• Only master after the mix is fully finished and approved.
• Check loudness with a meter, not just peak levels.
• Fix problems with cuts in EQ before making boosts.
• Keep low frequencies centered for better playback.
• Leave headroom and use limiting with restraint.