Basic Mastering

Question 1

What is ‘Separation Mastering’ ?

Answer 1

Giving the mastering studio/engineer a set of four different audio files of certain groups of elements instead of one single stereo mix

Question 2

What would be the five different stereo audio files that you would send to a mastering engineer for ‘separation mastering’ ?

Answer 2

All drums, All bass, All vocals, All everything else; and your original stereo mix as a reference

Question 3

What two objectives/approaches could you use for single-band compressing at the mastering stage?

Answer 3

Reducing peaks and overall dynamics smoothing (both should increase overall percieved loudness)

Question 4

What settings could you use as a starting point when compressing peaks at the mastering stage?

Answer 4

Set the threshold to just above the average level of the music (using a peak compressor), set a moderate ratio of 2:1 - 8:1 depending on how much the peaks need to be brought down, moderate-fast attack (20ms) and release (300ms) times, a hard-knee, and setting the threshold to achieve 8-10dbs maximum reduction

Question 5

What settings could you use as a starting point when applying overall dynamics smoothing at the mastering stage?

Answer 5

A low ratio of 1.1 - 1.4, slower attack and release times, a soft knee, and with the threshold around 30db below the level of the peaks. Use RMS compression here.