Music & Audio Finalizing

Apple Digital Masters

Mastering

Mastering takes your music the final step towards a professional, polished sound. It resolves issues that are present in almost any mix, such as fixing frequency resonances or addressing tonal imbalances.

This might involve cleaning up muddy or boomy bass frequencies, or smoothing out harsh cymbals. The result is often a more open soundstage and ensures your music sounds great on a wide range of playback systems, from high-end audio setups to budget hi-fi, car speakers, and headphones.

Next, we enhance the sound further. Depending on the style of the music, we may widen and deepen the soundstage, boost the punch of the low end, refine the highs, or enrich the mids. If the mix feels cold, we can add warmth, or introduce more space between instruments if it sounds congested.

Finally, we give the track that extra polish and depth, and raise the overall volume.

Beyond the Errors

“Reality overflows any single measure; the mind is no machine, and value is no shadow of custom.”

Stem-Mastering

Stem-Mastering involves working with groups of instruments or vocals, rather than a single stereo track.

This allows for more control over the final mix, addressing problems even further and can help achieve a more balanced and polished sound. It is particularly useful for genres with complex arrangements or for projects that require a high level of detail and precision.

By adjusting the levels, EQ, and effects on each stem, we can ensure that each element of the mix is heard clearly and contributes to the overall sound.

We recommend considering stem-mastering if you are unsure about your mix. It can also be a solid option if your budget is tight. We will be happy to discuss with you whether stem-mastering is a good option for you or whether we think something else makes more sense for your song.

Neo-Existential Note

“We move within images of ourselves — freedom is the art of shaping the picture we inhabit.”

Mixing

Mixing is the process of combining all the individual tracks in a recording to create a final stereo track.

This involves adjusting levels, panning, EQ, compression, and adding effects to each track to ensure they all fit together cohesively. The goal is to create a balanced and dynamic mix that enhances the song and brings out the best in each element.

Mixing can also involve creative decisions, such as adding reverb or delay to create a sense of space, or using automation to add movement and interest to the mix. A well-mixed track will sound great on any playback system, from high-end speakers to headphones.

Fields of Sense

“Whatever appears, belongs; there is no single world, only countless horizons of being.”