Informed Mastering
After production, mastering is the final step of the music process. This is where the final polish comes in to make a song complete. In our process, it’s part intense listening, ensuring tonal balance, stereo width, dynamics, and overall loudness are just right. And it’s part technical, listening across various devices to ensure it sounds good, making sure the LUFs (loudness units) are at the right level, etc.
I must admit, mastering is a new skill I’m learning as Joe has taken on most of the mastering of the Rosefinch catalog. But, as I dip my toe into the water, I’m learning a lot, and in the process, I’m demystifying a lot of the preconceived notions I had. In most of my music experience, this was the step that you always handed off to the professionals, because it was too difficult. Now, I’m not saying I’m an expert, but two things that are guiding me as I master (and soon release!) this new solo piano piece.
- Have a good reference track: I’m using Ozone, and in there, I can upload a reference track. In doing so, I can create a sound profile of where I want the piece to go, based on another published track. I had a great reference track (subscribers can listen below), and after some thoughtful tweaks to ensure it was sounding good, I think I got it to a place that works well. I was able to build on some of the great work that came before me.
- Don’t think you’re not capable: like I said, this was always the step that I was taught you outsourced. But now, as I lean in, I’m rebuilding the confidence that I can do this. There’s more to learn, but I’m here for the journey.
As we enter the mastering phase, that can only mean one thing: new music coming soon! More to come as we release Evergreen.
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