REQ: MIXING WITH MIKE - Private Mastering Course
COURSE OUTLINE
Class 1: The Mastering Mindset
This class introduces the mindset of the professional mastering engineer and how they approach the process of mastering. The listening techniques covered in this lesson will be a foundational part of the the rest of the course.
Course Overview and Instructions
Brief History of Mastering
Jobs of the Modern Mastering Engineer
Mastering Studio Setup
Listening Techniques for Mastering
Evaluating Mixes and Masters
Class 2: The Tools of Mastering
This class introduces some very familiar tools but from the perspective of the mastering engineer. It also introduces some less familiar tools that are specific to mastering and loudness.
Mastering Equalizers
Mastering Compressors
Harmonic Enhancement Tools
Spatial Processors
Mastering Limiters
Mastering Meters and Analyzers
Class 3: Equalization Techniques for Mastering
Mastering EQs are designed with precision, transparency and musicality in mind, and the mastering engineerās approach to equalization is exactly the same. The techniques used differ greatly from those of the mixing engineer and that is exactly what this class will focus on.
Role of Equalization in Mastering
Selecting the Best Mastering EQ
Filtering Techniques
āFeatheringā Equalization Techniques
Stair-Stepping Equalization Techniques
Baxandall and Tilt EQ
Class 4: Compression Techniques for Mastering
Compression in mastering is all about focus, imaging quality and depth perception. Understanding the different types of compression and how they affect these qualities is as important as understanding the techniques used to create them.
Role of Compressors in Mastering
Selecting the Best Mastering Compressor
Averaging Compression Techniques
Front-Back Depth Compression Techniques
Imaging Compression Techniques
Using Tape for Compression
Class 5: Harmonic Enhancements for Mastering
The class will focus on the powerful world of harmonic enhancements to bring warmth and listenability to your masters. The information here will provide a foundation for all of your vintage EQ and compressor processing decisions.
Defining Harmonic Enhancement
Harmonic Enhancement Tools
Component Based Harmonic Enhancements
Tape Based Harmonic Enhancement
Exciters in Mastering
Class 6: Imaging and Depth Processors
The ultimate goal of a great mastering is to get the music to āescape the speakersā. 3D sound field specific processing is an important part of that process. This class will teach you the techniques that help create depth and width in your mastering work.
Mastering and the 3D Sound Field
Mid-Side Level and Balance Processing
Imager Processing
Low Level Enhancement for Depth
Mastering with Early Reflections and Reverb
Class 7: Multi-Band Processing for Mastering
Multiband processing is primarily a product of the digital realm. It can bring life to stubborn mixes, control sibilance and harshness, dynamically balance a master, and provide precision transient control. They can also tear a master apart. This class will teach you techniques and specific guidelines you can use to take advantage of these very sophisticated processors.
Defining Multi-Band Processors
Multi-Band Compression & Expansion
Dynamic Equalization
De-Essing Masters
Multi-Band Limiting
Class 8: Mid-Side Processing Techniques for Mastering
Mid-Side processing goes all the way back to cutting lathe and mastering for vinyl records. The most powerful elements of a mix, including vocals, bass, kick and snare are often panned center in the mix with complimentary elements panned to the sides. This provides the ability to process primary and secondary elements of a mix independently. This will guide you through the advantages and pitfalls of this approach to processing masters.
Mid-Side Processing Defined
Mid-Side Balancing
Mid-Side Equalization
Mid-Side Compression
Mid-Side Harmonic Processing
Class 9: Loudness Processing and Gain Maximization
Regardless of your feelings about compression and limiting, the competitive marketplace dictates that artists will want you to make their masters as loud as possible. Understanding how to create loud masters that feel present and dynamic without the need for excessive processing is the focus of this class.
Loudness Standards and Metering
Using Compression for Loudness
Parallel Processing for Loudness
Single Band Gain Maximization
Muti-Band Gain Maximization
Class 10: Mastering Singles
Now that you have covered the fundamentals of processing masters, it is time to put your processing skills to work. Each mastering demonstrated in this class will detail specific problems and the solutions used to solve them. All off the techniques used will draw from the information provided in the first 9 classes.
Gain Structure and Head/Tail Edits
Equalization
Compression
Harmonic Enhancements
Depth and Spatial Processing
Maximizing Gain
Class 11: EPs/Albums Part 1: Structuring the Album
Mastering EPs and Albums limits some of the freedoms you have with mastering singles. Because the songs will be sold as a collection, they must sound like they belong together with each song leading to the next fluidly and with equal perceived loudness. This class features techniques that will teach you how to establish a signature sound and deal with the inevitable imbalances that will occur from song to song.
Session Setup and File Import
EP/Album Layout
Establishing a Common Processing Chain
Unique Processing for Problem Mixes
Tonal Balancing the Album
Class 12: EPs/Albums Part 2: Finalizing the Master
This class continues the work of assembling an album or EP and covers the differences in creating digital release masters and physical CD masters.
Final Adjustments
Song Spacing
Loudness Balancing
Exporting the Reference Master
Adjustments and Finalizing Digital Masters
Bonus Class: Exporting Final Masters and DDP Files
This class will discuss the process of exporting the final masters and creating a DDP file.
Mastering Session Exports
Creating the DDP Master
PMC Wrap Up
Class 1: The Mastering Mindset
This class introduces the mindset of the professional mastering engineer and how they approach the process of mastering. The listening techniques covered in this lesson will be a foundational part of the the rest of the course.
Course Overview and Instructions
Brief History of Mastering
Jobs of the Modern Mastering Engineer
Mastering Studio Setup
Listening Techniques for Mastering
Evaluating Mixes and Masters
Class 2: The Tools of Mastering
This class introduces some very familiar tools but from the perspective of the mastering engineer. It also introduces some less familiar tools that are specific to mastering and loudness.
Mastering Equalizers
Mastering Compressors
Harmonic Enhancement Tools
Spatial Processors
Mastering Limiters
Mastering Meters and Analyzers
Class 3: Equalization Techniques for Mastering
Mastering EQs are designed with precision, transparency and musicality in mind, and the mastering engineerās approach to equalization is exactly the same. The techniques used differ greatly from those of the mixing engineer and that is exactly what this class will focus on.
Role of Equalization in Mastering
Selecting the Best Mastering EQ
Filtering Techniques
āFeatheringā Equalization Techniques
Stair-Stepping Equalization Techniques
Baxandall and Tilt EQ
Class 4: Compression Techniques for Mastering
Compression in mastering is all about focus, imaging quality and depth perception. Understanding the different types of compression and how they affect these qualities is as important as understanding the techniques used to create them.
Role of Compressors in Mastering
Selecting the Best Mastering Compressor
Averaging Compression Techniques
Front-Back Depth Compression Techniques
Imaging Compression Techniques
Using Tape for Compression
Class 5: Harmonic Enhancements for Mastering
The class will focus on the powerful world of harmonic enhancements to bring warmth and listenability to your masters. The information here will provide a foundation for all of your vintage EQ and compressor processing decisions.
Defining Harmonic Enhancement
Harmonic Enhancement Tools
Component Based Harmonic Enhancements
Tape Based Harmonic Enhancement
Exciters in Mastering
Class 6: Imaging and Depth Processors
The ultimate goal of a great mastering is to get the music to āescape the speakersā. 3D sound field specific processing is an important part of that process. This class will teach you the techniques that help create depth and width in your mastering work.
Mastering and the 3D Sound Field
Mid-Side Level and Balance Processing
Imager Processing
Low Level Enhancement for Depth
Mastering with Early Reflections and Reverb
Class 7: Multi-Band Processing for Mastering
Multiband processing is primarily a product of the digital realm. It can bring life to stubborn mixes, control sibilance and harshness, dynamically balance a master, and provide precision transient control. They can also tear a master apart. This class will teach you techniques and specific guidelines you can use to take advantage of these very sophisticated processors.
Defining Multi-Band Processors
Multi-Band Compression & Expansion
Dynamic Equalization
De-Essing Masters
Multi-Band Limiting
Class 8: Mid-Side Processing Techniques for Mastering
Mid-Side processing goes all the way back to cutting lathe and mastering for vinyl records. The most powerful elements of a mix, including vocals, bass, kick and snare are often panned center in the mix with complimentary elements panned to the sides. This provides the ability to process primary and secondary elements of a mix independently. This will guide you through the advantages and pitfalls of this approach to processing masters.
Mid-Side Processing Defined
Mid-Side Balancing
Mid-Side Equalization
Mid-Side Compression
Mid-Side Harmonic Processing
Class 9: Loudness Processing and Gain Maximization
Regardless of your feelings about compression and limiting, the competitive marketplace dictates that artists will want you to make their masters as loud as possible. Understanding how to create loud masters that feel present and dynamic without the need for excessive processing is the focus of this class.
Loudness Standards and Metering
Using Compression for Loudness
Parallel Processing for Loudness
Single Band Gain Maximization
Muti-Band Gain Maximization
Class 10: Mastering Singles
Now that you have covered the fundamentals of processing masters, it is time to put your processing skills to work. Each mastering demonstrated in this class will detail specific problems and the solutions used to solve them. All off the techniques used will draw from the information provided in the first 9 classes.
Gain Structure and Head/Tail Edits
Equalization
Compression
Harmonic Enhancements
Depth and Spatial Processing
Maximizing Gain
Class 11: EPs/Albums Part 1: Structuring the Album
Mastering EPs and Albums limits some of the freedoms you have with mastering singles. Because the songs will be sold as a collection, they must sound like they belong together with each song leading to the next fluidly and with equal perceived loudness. This class features techniques that will teach you how to establish a signature sound and deal with the inevitable imbalances that will occur from song to song.
Session Setup and File Import
EP/Album Layout
Establishing a Common Processing Chain
Unique Processing for Problem Mixes
Tonal Balancing the Album
Class 12: EPs/Albums Part 2: Finalizing the Master
This class continues the work of assembling an album or EP and covers the differences in creating digital release masters and physical CD masters.
Final Adjustments
Song Spacing
Loudness Balancing
Exporting the Reference Master
Adjustments and Finalizing Digital Masters
Bonus Class: Exporting Final Masters and DDP Files
This class will discuss the process of exporting the final masters and creating a DDP file.
Mastering Session Exports
Creating the DDP Master
PMC Wrap Up