COURSE OUTLINE

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.

1.  What is Mastering

2. The Evolution of Mastering

3. A History of Loudness

4. Modern Mastering

5. 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.

1. Basic Mastering Plugins

2. Advanced Mastering Plugins

3. CD Mastering Software

4. Restoration Software

5. Mastering Hardware

Class 3: Equalization in the Mastering Process

These lessons focus on the application of Equalization in the Mastering Process

1. Frequencies and the 3D Sound Field

2. Mastering Equalizers

3. Working With Filters in Mastering

4. Additive Equalization In Mastering

5. 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.

1. Mastering and Frequency Density

2. Mastering Compression Techniques

3. Mastering Limiter Techniques

4. Mastering With MultiBand Compressors

5. 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.

1. The 3D Sound-Field

2. Stereo vs. M/S Processing

3. Early Reflections and Reverb

4. Exciters and Imaging Plugins

5. 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.

1. Meters and Metering Techniques

2. Perceived Loudness vs. Levels

3. Compression Techniques for Loudness

4. Peak Limiters and Loudness

5. 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.

1. Song Order, Spacing and Levels

2. CD Subcodes and CD Text

3. DDP and CDR Production Masters

4. Glass Masters and the Manufacturing Process

5. 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.

1. Understanding Bit Depth and Dithering

2. Exporting the CD and DDP Masters

3. Exporting Individual Masters

4. Format Conversion in Mastering

5. Final Thoughts…