The Essentials Of Audio Mastering
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Mastering is the crucial, critical, and final creative step in the audio process and
is what will bring your tracks depth, punch, clarity and higher perceptive volume.
Your tracks will also have more consistency over multiple systems. In short,
mastering delivers the final professional gloss to your recording.
The process can involve:
• Equalisation • Noise Reduction • Stereo Width • Addition of Ambience
• Dynamic Expansion • Dynamic Compression • De-Essing & Clicking • Phase Correction • Balance Correction • Peak Limiting • Track Sequencing • Fades & Crossfades
The following is a simple guide made at the request of our clients to practices
that will allow everybody to get the best results possible when mastering with
the FC Music Project.
How To Prepare For Your Session
The Basics (Absolute Essentials)
• Do not limit your mix. If you have a sound that you wish to achieve as a
result of the limiting then send or bring reference audio along with your
tracks. We will be able to emulate this without distortion or other related
drawbacks. We would also advise clients using any mix compression
unless in the hands of an experienced mix engineer.
• Do not normalize your mix.
• Allow 3db to 6db headroom (The additional signal available above the
audio level before clipping or distortion occurs) by turning down your
master fader.
How To Save Your Audio (Accepted File Formats)
• WAV, SDII, AIFF up to 24 bit and 192khz. Recommended 24 bit / 96 khz.
• Please make sure your files are saved with the file extensions (e.g. .aif /
.wav).
• We strongly advise against the use of any compressed file formats such as
MP3 or MP4 (AAC).
How to Get Your Audio To Us
• CD ROM • DVD ROM • FTP Server • YouSendIt.com
FTP is our preferred method of delivery. You will automatically be set up an FTP
account on our server and receive instructions on how to upload to our server.
Larger projects may have to be posted. Please contact in advance.
Important Extras
Get Your ISRC Codes
ISRC is the Internationally Recognised Royalty Code. We highly recommend that
all our clients use ISRC. The 10 digit code is encoded into each of your tracks at
the mastering session and from then on any duplicated or replicated copy of that
master will identify it as yours on playback. This will ensure a more reliable
royalty return path as it allows radio stations and others to automatically log the
play and the associated royalties due. You will receive royalties faster and will be
able to prove ownership of the encoded recording.
In the UK clients should become a member of PPL to be issued with ISRC codes.
International clients should consult the IFPI. Once a member you can use PPL to
supply all the information on your recordings and apply for an MCPS licence. PPL
(formerly CatCo) is the record industry sound recording database, which allows
PPL members to submit new release data electronically.
Do Not Press From An Audio CD!
Many people do this but do not realise the risks they put their hard work
through. Audio CDRs are prone to high error counts which you risk being
replicated on your CD run.
For this reason, it is always best to press from the original WAV file, DDP image
or Red Book master in all cases. This will ensure the highest quality possible for
your CD.
Equipment List
Digital Audio Software
Sony Sound Forge 9
Adobe Audition
Steinberg Wavelab 5
Plugins include: Adaptive Limiting, Various Dynamics and Loudness Maximisers,
Equalisation, Mastering Reverb, Stereo Expansion, iZotope Ozone 3 and many,
many more.
Output Formats
WAV files (Downloadable, or Optional Hardcopy)
DDP, ISO, TOAST Disk Images Images (Optional)
Redbook Hardcopy Masters (Optional with Digital Mastering)
mp3s files at 192kbps and 96kpbs (Downloadable)
Contact
W: http://mastering.fcmusicproject.com
E: info@fcmusicproject.com
T: 01273 252313
Post: Unit 6Lansdowne Mews, Hove, East Sussex, BN3 1FW, UNITED KINGDOM
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