How can you avoid common mastering mistakes when preparing tracks for release?

2 Choose the right tools

Mastering requires some specialized tools that can enhance your sound and optimize it for different platforms. The most common tools are a limiter, a compressor, an EQ, and a meter. A limiter prevents your audio from exceeding a certain level and causing distortion. A compressor reduces the dynamic range of your audio and makes it more consistent. An EQ adjusts the frequency balance of your audio and corrects any tonal problems. A meter measures the loudness, peak, and RMS levels of your audio and helps you compare it to other tracks. You can use dedicated mastering plugins or software, or use the ones that come with your DAW.

3 Follow the order

The order in which you apply your mastering tools can make a big difference in your results. Generally, you should follow this order: EQ, compressor, limiter, meter. This way, you can shape the tone of your audio first, then control the dynamics, then limit the peaks, and then check the loudness. However, you can also experiment with different orders and see what works best for your tracks. For example, some people like to use a compressor before an EQ, or a limiter before a compressor.

4 Use reference tracks

One of the best ways to avoid mastering mistakes is to use reference tracks. These are tracks that have a similar genre, style, and sound quality as your tracks, and that you can use as a benchmark for your mastering decisions. You can load them into your DAW and switch between them and your tracks to compare the levels, balance, tone, and loudness. You can also use tools like Match EQ or Loudness Matching to match your tracks to your reference tracks.

5 Listen on different devices

Another way to avoid mastering mistakes is to listen to your tracks on different devices and speakers. This will help you test how your tracks sound on different systems and environments, such as headphones, monitors, car speakers, or smartphones. You can also ask for feedback from other people and see how they perceive your tracks. You should aim for a consistent and balanced sound across different devices and speakers.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?