The Mastering Show with Ian Shepherd

It’s amazing what mastering can achieve - but it’s also amazing how many things can influence the results we get right from the recording stage.

In this episode Ian talks to Mike Senior about how to fix mastering problems at the recording stage, without using a time machine ! Topics include how to avoid:

    Muddy mids
    Harsh guitars
    Sibilance
    Resonant snares
    Boomy or hollow vocals
    Exposed vocals
    Stereo image issues

And many more !

Links

Mike has put together a fantastic page of resources for this episode, including an excellent video about stereo mic technique - click here make sure you check it out !

https://cambridge-mt.com/misc/mastering-show-2212-resources/

https://themasteringshow.com/episode-87

The Mastering Show

The Mastering Show Podcast #87 - Fix mastering problems - in the recording !

In this first introductory episode, we introduce ourselves and talk about what we have in store for the show. We then cover some mastering basics that will give you a solid grounding for the rest of the shows.

Not sure what mastering is ? Start here !

Show links:

What is mastering ? Photoshop for audio
http://productionadvice.co.uk/mastering-as-photoshop/

LUFS, dBFS, RMS… WTF ?!? How to read the new loudness meters
http://productionadvice.co.uk/lufs-dbfs-rms/


The Mastering Show #1 - The Basics of Mastering

We’re kicking off the show with a short mini-series covering every aspect of the mastering chain in turn – levels, EQ, compression, limiting and metering.

We’re going to be starting at the end and working backwards – and in case you’re wondering why, Ian explains during the show !

So in this episode we cover the “Three M’s” of mastering- and to find out what they are, you’ll need to listen to the show.

Show Links:

The acoustic treatment material we talked about in the show is Owens Corning 703, sometimes known as Rockwool.
http://www.gikacoustics.com/product/owens-corning-703-2-inch/

To find out more about using acoustic treatment to improve the sound of your studio:
http://productionadvice.co.uk/building-a-home-mastering-studio-part-3/

For more about loudness meters:
http://productionadvice.co.uk/lufs-dbfs-rms/

To assess the EQ balance of your music:
http://www.voxengo.com/product/span/

More about the mindset of mastering:
http://productionadvice.co.uk/heart-and-soul/


The Mastering Show #2 - The Three M's of Mastering

In this show we take a deep dive into the topic of limiting.

We explain why you need limiters, important Do’s and Dont’s, recommended plugins – and why there’s a good chance you’re using them wrong…

Links:

Are brickwall limiters nothing but pure evil ?
http://productionadvice.co.uk/brickwall-limiters/

Video demonstrating inter-sample peaks and how they affect Mastering for iTunes
http://productionadvice.co.uk/mastered-for-itunes-video/

Intersample peaks and why they matter - more about why you should leave at least 1 dB peak headroom when mastering, with audio examples
https://youtu.be/veLLvoIubzo


The Mastering Show #3 - Limiting

Compression explained - using pillows and punchbags. Yes, you read that right ! And in this show we also talk about:

- Why mastering compression is all about loudness. Except it’s not.
- How compression in mastering is different than in mixing
- How to make mastering compression invisible
- Ian’s suggested starting-point settings for mastering compression
- Why you might want to use multi-band compression

Links

Using compression to add punch, warmth and power to your mix
http://productionadvice.co.uk/using-compression/

What is compression ? Sponges hold the answer
http://productionadvice.co.uk/what-is-compression/

Multiband compression – the mastering engineer’s secret weapon?
http://productionadvice.co.uk/multiband-compression-for-mastering/

Gregory Scott - Demolishing Compression Myths
https://www.attackmagazine.com/features/columns/gregory-scott-demolishing-the-myths-of-compression/

Cheers !

The Mastering Show #4 - Compression

Mastering EQ is about balance, not matching. In this episode we explain what the difference is, why it matters and and ways you can get it right. 

Topics include:

- Why “radio ready” sound is a mastering myth

- How you can affect the balance of instruments in the mix, even within a stereo file

- A simple but crucial point of mastering technique

- The pros and cons of phase linear EQ

- Ian’s recommended EQ plugins

Links

Loudness means NOTHING on the radio - the proof
http://productionadvice.co.uk/loudness-means-nothing-on-the-radio/

The Heart And Soul of Mastering
http://productionadvice.co.uk/heart-and-soul/

Phase linear EQ demonstration
https://youtu.be/efKabAQQsPQ

Rock music and gynaecology
http://mastering-media.blogspot.co.uk/2008/08/rock-music-and-gynaecology.html

The Mastering Show #5 - EQ

This is the show where we cover all aspects of mastering. If you're interested in mastering, want to learn how to get better results mastering your own music, or even want to be a mastering engineer, this is the show you want to hear.