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How to do mastering

I always send my music through an easy mastering routine. It’s like a last quality check and actually a very enjoyable process as well. Because it gives me the satisfying feeling that i really did the best i can to beautify the track and make it sound right

You might ask if it is really necessary to push your beautiful ambient track through a mastering routine. Maybe you think it’s a nerve-wracking and super tricky thing to do. And maybe you believe all the scammy talk about mastering witchcraft plugins and the stupid “Do it like a Pro” BS.

Mastering simply means you’re listening to the final stereo mix with refreshed ears and a clear mindset, to find weak spots, apply some tasteful polishing and make sure the track meets technical requirements.

Also, the general workflow is always the same, no matter the genre:

  • Check the stereo file for errors, drops, clipping.
  • Read the stats to learn about the levels, headroom.
  • Simple effect chain: EQ, Stereo Enhancer, Limiter
  • Optional: Multiband Compressor, Saturation
  • Listen very closely, apply subtle changes
  • Take your time, but decide quickly

I demonstrate all of that in my video, check it out:

If you want to listen to the final EP “Linger” that contains 3 nice Ambient Guitar Improvisations, read this: Linger