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14 - Master Your Mix in 14 Steps

This document outlines 14 steps for mastering a mix, beginning with optimizing the listening space and finishing the mix. Key steps include checking levels, bouncing down the stereo track, taking a break, importing reference tracks, doing a full analysis while listening in different spaces, controlling dynamics with compression, fixing the tone with EQ and compression, enhancing the mix optionally, limiting the mix for loudness, and making final checks before exporting the mastered mix.

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760 views1 page

14 - Master Your Mix in 14 Steps

This document outlines 14 steps for mastering a mix, beginning with optimizing the listening space and finishing the mix. Key steps include checking levels, bouncing down the stereo track, taking a break, importing reference tracks, doing a full analysis while listening in different spaces, controlling dynamics with compression, fixing the tone with EQ and compression, enhancing the mix optionally, limiting the mix for loudness, and making final checks before exporting the mastered mix.

Uploaded by

bopdub
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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MASTER YOUR MIX

IN 14 STEPS

STEP 1: Optimize your listening space. Mastering in an untreated room will make
your song fall apart in any other space.

STEP 2: Finish your mix. You can’t master until the mix is done!

STEP 3: Check the levels. Make sure none of your faders are clipping. Also, the
loudest part of the song should be peaking between -4 dB and -6 dB on the mixbus.

STEP 4: Bounce down your stereo track. Make sure it’s exported at the same bit
and sample rate as the session. It needs to be a .wav or .aiff file.

STEP 5: Take a break. Give your ears a break. Wait at least a day.

STEP 6: Create a new project and import your references. Using reference
tracks will make a huge difference in the quality of your master.

STEP 7: Listen for the first time (and take notes). You’ll hear 80% of the problems
in this first listen.

STEP 8: Make a full analysis. Listen to your references, then listen to the mix
again. Check your mix in several different spaces. Write down what you hear.

STEP 9: Control the dynamics. Use a compressor to lightly compress the mix. 1–2
dBs of gain reduction is fine.

STEP 10: Fix the tone. Use an EQ and multiband compressor to match the tone
of your references.

STEP 11: Enhance the mix. Use tools like saturation and stereo widening to color
the mix. This is optional.

STEP 12: Limit the mix. Use a limiter to increase the loudness of your mix. Shoot
for 2–4 dBs of gain reduction at the loudest points.

STEP 13: Make your final checks. Use a meter like LUFS or Dynameter to make
sure your dynamic range is adequate.

STEP 14: Bounce it. Export your mix at 16 bits and 44.1 kHz. Don’t forget to dither!

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