Top 10 Mastering Tips

Mastering your own tracks is a difficult process - there is a lot to learn and a lot of techniques to master (no pun intended (seriously; that would have been a terrible pun)), but here's somewhere for you to brush up and learn some of the most useful techniques!

1. Have reference material

Compare the track to other songs that you like the production of - not just by ear, though that should be what makes the final decision about what sounds good.   Get out a frequency analyser and see where your mix is lacking in comparison to the other, or where it's overdoing it.

2. Multi-band compressor

I remember the first time I found one of these I thought I'd hit the jackpot.   These wonderful devices can add definition, presence and volume to an otherwise dull, quiet mix.   If you gently bring the threshold down to even 10dB on a 4 band compressor then you'll start noticing the difference.

3. Overall compression

While this can be a great way to bring up the level of the track, don't overdo it - it'll start to feel squashed and anything compressed by over about 6dB will be noticeably squashed.

4. EQ-ing

The obvious way to bring up a mix - again, like compression, use it sparingly and it'll produce the best results.   Don't try and boost high end when it isn't there else you'll just get a fizzy noise.   Try boosting about 50hz and boost a high shelf around 10khz for airiness and a bit more low end punch!

5. Choose the order of the devices

Should it be EQ then compression or other way round?   That's up to you!   Both can produce quite different results so it's worth trying it!

6. Small amount of reverb

You have to be really careful here, since reverb can destroy a track, but with a bit of ambience, it can make the tracks gel together that bit better!

7. Limiting

Bring the volume up to that professional level with a brick wall limiter.   Similarly to compression, don't overdo it or it'll sound very strange!

8. Use 24 bit!

If you're working in 16 bit then you'll lose the punchiness you could get from the extra 8 bits!   Make sure all your recordings are done in 24bit and you'll have noticeably better dynamic range in your tunes!

9. Enhancers

If you need a bit more high end, try using an enhancer to bring it out rather than a high EQ boost!

10. Take a break!

As with mixing, mastering can get exhausting and you can lose perspective quickly.   Take regular breaks and be sure to leave the mix a day once you're happy with it, and then take another listen - chances are you'll have a completely different opinion of it!