Recommended Items for the Final Touch of Your Tracks: Mastering

Hello! I’m Kaoru, a composer.

Today, I’d like to talk about mastering, the final touch in music production.

Just like mixing, mastering is extremely important!
While it may not be the most noticeable step, it greatly affects the quality of the track.

It’s like the unsung hero behind the scenes!
Let’s break down what mastering is all about!

■ What is Mastering?

Mastering is the final step in music production.
Its main purpose is to create the master source (original disk) for mass production.

In other words, the audio that is finalized in this process will reach you through CDs or digital data (streaming)!
It’s a significant responsibility, isn’t it?

So, what does this process involve?
Here, we control various aspects of the completed 2-mix data from the mixing stage, such as:

• Volume
• Sound Pressure
• Sound Quality

Depending on the situation, we also determine the gaps between tracks as they transition!

Compared to the era when CDs were mainstream,

• YouTube
• Spotify
• SoundCloud
• iTunes
• Vinyl Records

are the recent listening options, so we now need to optimize the audio for various platforms where it can be enjoyed. This requires specialized knowledge.

Just like mixing, there are also specialized engineers for mastering, so you can hire professionals for this process.

■ Mastering Process

Mastering is essentially a process that involves adjusting dynamics, so the tools used are somewhat limited.
However, it is quite challenging because you must enhance the music with these limited resources.

Here are a few steps in the process:

● Equalizing

As the name suggests, this refers to processing using an equalizer.
Here, we control the overall frequency spectrum.

The goal is not to make bold boosts or cuts but to focus on fine-tuning.
If you find it difficult to achieve the desired sound, revisiting the mix may be a viable option.
Good judgment is key!

● Compression

This process uses a compressor to control the sound pressure.

It’s common to use bus compression or multiband compression.
The goal is to add punch to the music or adjust the overall soundscape.

● reo Balance

This involves adjusting the left and right balance.

The aim is to create a three-dimensional feel as if a live performance is happening right in front of you.
However, if you focus too much on the left-right balance, the center can become weak, making fine-tuning quite challenging.

● Limiting

This process increases the overall sound pressure of the audio source.

Limiters and maximizers are used in this step.
Regardless of the genre, the thickness of the sound is crucial, making this one of the most essential processes.

Only after going through these processes does the track finally get completed.

Now, let’s pick out some recommended products available at Sound House!

Waves / Gold Bundle - Simplified Package

If you’re someone who “doesn’t have any plugins... but can’t spend too much money,” then getting this bundle is a great idea!
It’s especially affordable during sale periods!

This bundle includes:

• Compressor
• De-Esser
• Amp Simulator
• Modulation
• Reverb
• Delay
• Equalizer
• Pitch Correction
• Electric Piano Sound Source
• Analyzer

All of these are high-quality plugins that professionals rave about, but my personal favorite is the Vitamin Sonic Enhancer!
As the name suggests, this plugin adds a ‘vitamin’ to your sound.
Its standout features include not only enhancement processing but also compression and multiband equalization!

If you want:

• More power in your sound!
• Greater definition!

Using it can instantly bring your audio to life. It works great on individual tracks or on the 2-mix data! Its versatility has been a huge help.

What’s even better is that if you find these effects lacking, you can upgrade for the price difference!

Compared to other products, the cost effectiveness is outstanding, and it includes a rich variety of effects.

FabFilter / Mastering Bundle

This product bundles plugins that are convenient for mastering.

The included products are as follows:
Pro-Q3: An analog modeling EQ plugin
Pro-L2: A professional-quality limiter plugin
Pro-C2: A compressor plugin designed for professionals
Pro-MB: A powerful multiband compressor/expander plugin

All of these are software favored by professionals.

Personally, I highly recommend Pro-Q3.
It excels in functionality and visibility, making it easy to perform equalization!

Additionally, the standout feature of this product is the ability to solo and listen to the audio from individual EQ bands!
This feature is quite rare among other equalizer plugins.

By utilizing this function, you can easily identify unwanted sounds (interfering sounds) that should be cut during the equalization process.
It simplifies tedious tasks, allowing you to shorten production time!

Compared to purchasing each plugin individually, this bundle is over 30,000 yen cheaper!

Steinberg / WaveLab Elements 11 Standard Version - Waveform Editing/Mastering Software

This is not a plugin, but rather a standalone software.
This means that it can be used in most environments.

It is specialized in editing audio (waveforms) and is effective not only for mastering but also for removing unwanted noise.
It offers a wealth of features ideal for enhancing the quality of music and narration.

What I particularly love about it is the abundance of meters it includes!

• Spectroscope
• Level Meter
• Oscilloscope

You can switch between these to visually check the sound, which is very educational!

Furthermore, with the upgrade to version 11,

• DeEsser
• Expander
• Mix6to2
• MonotoStereo
• PingPong delay

these seven new VST 3 effect plugins have been added.

This allows for more precise and detailed editing, making it highly recommended for those with strong preferences!

Although it is entry-level software, its functionality is outstanding!

JBL / 1 Series 104-BT Desktop Monitor Speakers

This monitor speaker is crucial for sound checking.
Despite its compact size, it delivers robust bass response.

Personally, this is my favorite monitor speaker in this price range!

It also supports Bluetooth/AUX/RCA/TRS inputs, making it perfect for enjoying music!

What I love most about it is its unique design, which is unmatched by other products!
Just having it on my desk boosts my mood!

So, that concludes my recommended items for mastering.
Recently, software has evolved rapidly, allowing for great mastering even on a low budget.
Ultimately, I believe that gaining plenty of experience leads to growth.
Let’s all enjoy mastering!

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