Mastering in Logic Flashcards
What is mastering?
The purpose of mastering is to balance the sonic elements of a stereo mix and optimize playback across all systems and media formats. Traditionally, mastering is done using tools like equalization, compression, limiting and stereo enhancement.
Mastering is the final process in audio production.
When you are mastering, what are some of the goals that you want achieve?
- Raise the overall balance
- Prepare the audio for distribution
- Unify the recording
- Correct minor deficiencies
- Correct stereo imbalance
- Work on bit/sample rate reduction
What is DC offset correction?
Sometimes known as DC Bias, the purpose of this is to offset the signal from zero, which allows for the greatest dynamic range possible in a given track.
What are the differences between True Peak and RMS when it comes to mastering?
True Peak – A maximum absolute level of the signal waveform. It measures the peak levels of samples and intersample peaks.
RMS – Root mean square. The average power of your audio signal, and close to what your ears perceive as the loudness of your audio.
Should you look at True Peak or RMS when Mastering? Why?
True Peak - because it will gauge more accurately when you are clipping.
What is a Harmonic Exciter?
This is a tool used by audio producers to add color and flavor when mixing and mastering pianos, guitars, vocals, leads, synth drums, and bass to add more presence and clarity to your sound.
It works through harmonic distortion.
Multiband compressor! What is that?
In Logic, this is the plug-in known as the Multipressor.
At its core, a multiband compressor is essentially a group of several compressors, each of which operates on one section of the full audio spectrum. These sections are created using something called a crossover, which splits the audio into frequency bands below the crossover frequency as well as above it.
What is the stereo image?
Stereo imaging refers to the aspect of sound recording and reproduction of stereophonic sound concerning the perceived spatial locations of the sound source(s), both laterally and in depth. An image is considered to be good if the location of the performers can be clearly identified; the image is considered to be poor if the location of the performers is difficult to locate. A well-made stereo recording, properly reproduced, can provide good imaging within the front quadrant.
What Logic Plug-ins can enhance the stereo image?
Stereo Spreader
Directional Mixer
Stereo Widener
What is an Adaptive Limiter?
Adaptive Limiter is a versatile tool for controlling the perceived loudness of sounds. It works by rounding and smoothing peaks in the signal, producing an effect similar to an analog amplifier being driven hard. Like an amplifier, it can slightly color the sound of the signal.
Limiters are compressors with a 30-100:1 ratio. An adaptive limiter is built with look ahead circuit which can prevent unnecessary clipping.
What is dither?
Dither is low volume noise, introduced into digital audio when converting from a higher bit-resolution to a lower bit-resolution.
The process of reducing bit-resolution causes quantization errors, also known as truncation distortion, which if not prevented, can sound very unpleasant.
What is Bouncing Audio?
The term “bouncing audio” originates from the era when recording was done on tape decks with a limited number of tracks. The idea of “bouncing” means that you would record on all but one track, and then mix those tracks together and move them to the last track, freeing them up for more recording.
In modern terminology the process is much the same, meaning to record multiple tracks, mix them together, and record more tracks on top of the mixed track.
