Creating quality music is a very complicated process that starts with talented artists and quickly moves into the hands of equally talented sound engineers. It is a system that evolves from art into a science. The science comes into play during the mastering process. Many musicians have experienced a very peculiar phenomenon- when they are in the studio playing music or listening to the recording, the music sounds incredible. Then, the studio produces a cd or audio file for the artist to take home. When they take the audio file and play it in the car, it sounds dull and lifeless. That’s because the album was not mastered. The studio has active attendants and programmes that are adjusting the mix to make sure that it works well in their sound system. When they leave the studio, they no longer have access to such a carefully designed setup, so the music doesn’t sound quite as good.
That’s where mastering comes in. It is typically the third step in the music distribution process. First, the song is recorded. Then the mix is adjusted so that all of the tracks work well together. Next, they are mastered.
What is Mastering?
Mastering is the step in the music creation process at which your music is balanced, enhanced, and equalised. That means that the treble, the bass, and several other different aspects are brought into the best balance to produce the best sound. Equalisation, also called tonal adjustment, is the part of mastering that adjusts certain frequencies to create a more balanced and detailed sound mix. Balancing is the process in which the engineer seeks to establish a consistency of sound levels throughout the entire album.
Lately, some studios have been supplying specific iTunes mastering because the service now allows musicians to upload uncompressed files. Those files will then deliver a higher quality sound.
Why is it Important?
When you are a musician, you want your music to sound as good as possible. Moreover, if you are an amateur musician, you want your music to sound as close to high-end, professional quality music as possible. If your album is balanced and equalised as well as a professional musician’s album, you are more likely to develop a loyal fanbase.
You’ll also be able to supply a higher quality product to iTunes, which is now an incredibly important venue for music. Digital delivery is one of the most common ways modern customers get their music, while actual physical ownership of an album is declining. Because of that, it has become even more important for music to be mastered properly. People have started listening to music on inferior speakers on their phones, computers, or headphones instead of quality speakers inside of good sound systems. Therefore, you need to make sure your music sounds as good as possible on every system.
Trying to break into the music industry is definitely very difficult. Whatever your aspirations, you are going to need to record your music in a professional studio at some point. You are going to need to make sure that you’re delivering a very high-end product to your listeners. Mastering can help you do that.
