What is Mixing & Mastering?
- Thread starter sharif
- Start date
S
SifuBeats
Guest
Mixing is the process of coarse compression, EQ, and getting the amplitude of the tracks at an even or desired level. Mastering is the fine-tuning section done at the end to give the track shine, punch, or any other disired effect. Basically, mixing is shaping the clay. Mastering is making your sculpture more defined.
M
MASSIVE Mastering
Guest
Mixing is creating a song (or a "mix") from a collection of individual tracks or instruments.
Mastering is creating a cohesive album (or "production master") from a collection of mixes. Often confused with "getting it loud" (even though that's part of it, it's not the most important part by any stretch).
Mastering is creating a cohesive album (or "production master") from a collection of mixes. Often confused with "getting it loud" (even though that's part of it, it's not the most important part by any stretch).
Last edited by a moderator:
N
neilwight
Guest
hmmm, not sure it can be as easily categorised as that though it would be nice if it could ......or that there were any metaphors in any of the posts 
mastering is the process of preparing the production master. it covers correction of any issues left over and ensuring best possible playback independently of system (the final shine if you like), adding cohesiveness with respect of balance and level, and the creation of the physical production master itself.
mixing is everything else before this more or less and after all the tracks have been recorded in.
with so many people doing DIY work, theres a real blurring of distinctions, atleast in peoples minds regarding many stages of the recording process which historically would have been easily divided due to different people doing each role.
mastering is the process of preparing the production master. it covers correction of any issues left over and ensuring best possible playback independently of system (the final shine if you like), adding cohesiveness with respect of balance and level, and the creation of the physical production master itself.
mixing is everything else before this more or less and after all the tracks have been recorded in.
with so many people doing DIY work, theres a real blurring of distinctions, atleast in peoples minds regarding many stages of the recording process which historically would have been easily divided due to different people doing each role.
Breakbeats573
New member
Buddha said:
This is EXACTLEY what mixing and mastering is. The processes are somewhat complex at times and the tools can be expensive, but the basis of what you are doing is exactley what was stated.
If you are looking for a step by step guide, it would take several books to fully explain mixing and mastering in complete detail.
There are many processes people use that they don't necessarily want to discuss because that is part of what makes their sound. Basically, anything you mix is going to sound different than another person's mix. Use that to your advantage. That's what will make unique and worth more in this business.
The mastering process is also the preparation of a particular track (or tracks) for the intended medium. You don't master a track intended for vinyl the same way you would master for CD. There are subleties of each medium that will affect the final product, and the mastering engineer must know these nuances in order to successfully produce a pre master. When making CDs, the pre master (sometimes called a Gold Master) is then sent to make the true Master, which is a glass composite from which all the final CDs are pressed (they don't "burn" professional cds).
This isn't even the tip of the iceberg. Good luck!
Last edited:
soniclabsaudio
Banned
mastering = the final medium in which others are made.
Breakbeats573
New member
Bingo! It's easier said than done though.
The mixing and mastering phase is VERY dependant of the recording phase too BTW. I have been handed some horribly recorded projects (usually at home by the artist who has no engineering skills) and I'm expected to make them sound like a professional recording... Sorry, can't be done.
Every phase relies on the expertise and precision of the previous.
The mixing and mastering phase is VERY dependant of the recording phase too BTW. I have been handed some horribly recorded projects (usually at home by the artist who has no engineering skills) and I'm expected to make them sound like a professional recording... Sorry, can't be done.
Every phase relies on the expertise and precision of the previous.
moses
hardliner
exactly, and there's even something before - the musician. a vocalist or a sax-player with a good microphone technique (yes, this is not very common) don't need any further dynamics (comps, gates) or spectral (EQs, filter) processing. a good vocalist will be very carefull with "ssss" or "pops" and maintain a consistant level no matter if they are whispering or singing a hard-rock chorus. listen to real studio musicians if you don't believe it. the best recordings where made in that way.
but there are still occasion where processing is always needed. drums for example always sound bad after recording, except if you like trashy drum-sounds. drums need many tweaks to sound right.
it is always a good way to use a minimalistic approach processing your signals. and explain your recording problems (like sss or loudness, clipping) to the musicians and you will hear a noticable difference after some practice. this is better & cheaper than any processing.
but there are still occasion where processing is always needed. drums for example always sound bad after recording, except if you like trashy drum-sounds. drums need many tweaks to sound right.
it is always a good way to use a minimalistic approach processing your signals. and explain your recording problems (like sss or loudness, clipping) to the musicians and you will hear a noticable difference after some practice. this is better & cheaper than any processing.