REQ: Basic Mastering Course by Mixing with Mike

The Basic Mastering Course is a practical guide to mastering in the modern home studio environment. You will learn the skills necessary to master your own mixes and productions, or the work of other producers and artists. This course will teach you mastering specific equalization, compression and spatial imaging techniques as well as maximizing and exporting the final masters for streaming, downloads and CD.

INFO:
Class 1: What is Mastering and the Mastering Process
This is an introduction to the art of Mastering, defining what it is and explaining its role in the music production process.

What is Mastering

The Evolution of Mastering

A History of Loudness

Modern Mastering

The Mastering Process, Step by Step

Class 2: Mastering Software and Hardware
There are many forms of Mastering Software. Some are focussed purely on processing audio and others offer advanced editing features and the ability to create CD Masters.

Basic Mastering Plugins

Advanced Mastering Plugins

CD Mastering Software

Restoration Software

Mastering Hardware

Class 3: Equalization in the Mastering Process
These lessons focus on the application of Equalization in the Mastering Process

Frequencies and the 3D Sound Field

Mastering Equalizers

Working With Filters in Mastering

Additive Equalization In Mastering

Mastering EQ in the Processing Chain

Class 4: Compression and Limiting in the Mastering Process
These lessons focus on Compression and Limiting Techniques in the Mastering Process.

Mastering and Frequency Density

Mastering Compression Techniques

Mastering Limiter Techniques

Mastering With MultiBand Compressors

Mastering With MultiBand Limiters

Class 5: Depth and Imaging Techniques
Size is about much more than just frequencies and compression, it’s also about depth and focused imaging. These lessons uncover valuable depth and imaging techniques to squeeze out all the size you can get from a mix.

The 3D Sound-Field

Stereo vs. M/S Processing

Early Reflections and Reverb

Exciters and Imaging Plugins

Mono Compatibility

Class 6: Levels and Loudness
Love it or Hate it Loudness is a inescapable part of the modern music production environment. This is about more than just making your mix louder than the next guy’s mix, it is about adapting your mixes to the many ways people listen to music and the environments they listen in.

Meters and Metering Techniques

Perceived Loudness vs. Levels

Compression Techniques for Loudness

Peak Limiters and Loudness

Loudness and Dynamic Range

Class 7: Mastering For CD
The process of mastering for CD involves a number of additional steps and considerations to get the best results from the manufacturing process.

Song Order, Spacing and Levels

CD Subcodes and CD Text

DDP and CDR Production Masters

Glass Masters and the Manufacturing Process

Mastering Documentation

Class 8: Exporting and Conversion
After all the processing and preparation work is done, the final master must be exported and converted to the necessary formats for distribution. These lessons discuss.

Understanding Bit Depth and Dithering

Exporting the CD and DDP Masters

Exporting Individual Masters

Format Conversion in Mastering

Final Thoughts…