The Mastering Show

Some of our favourite albums are live recordings - and some of the most challenging and interesting mastering projects are also recorded live. In this episode we discuss - The most common problems with live sound, and the mastering rules you’re allowed to break to solve them - What is the “ideal” live recording ? - How restoration tools can be useful for mastering live sound - Two of Ian’s favourite live albums - Techniques for mastering live classical music - How to preserve the most important aspect of any live recording in mastering Links: http://themasteringshow.com/episode-29/Mentioned in this episode:Learn to master !Click HERE to see Ian's courses and mastering resourcesLeapwingFind out more about Leapwing's plugins

3 Mars 201749min

What is re-mastering ? Why would you want to do it ? And how ? And even - should you ? Topics include: * The ultimate goal of great remastering * Why getting an ideal source isn’t always as simple as it sounds * Restoration tools for mastering, and how to use them * When remastering goes bad - the remastering backlash * One of Ian’s most challenging remastering projects Full show notes http://themasteringshow.com/episode-28Mentioned in this episode:Learn to master !Click HERE to see Ian's courses and mastering resourcesLeapwingFind out more about Leapwing's plugins

18 Feb 20171h 1min

How do you master audio for games ? Can you master audio for games ? Is it even a thing ? It turns out the answer is Yes, but it’s complicated. In this episode we talk to Jay Fernandes about audio in games, including: * Why audio is critical to the gaming experience * How “mastering” works in games * Challenges and solutions in gaming audio * How to measure the loudness of a game, what to aim for, and why it matters * Some of the best games for audio * Why Jon hates "3D sound" Visit the website for all the links http://themasteringshow.com/episode-27Mentioned in this episode:Learn to master !Click HERE to see Ian's courses and mastering resourcesLeapwingFind out more about Leapwing's plugins

30 Jan 20171h 1min

Some people say clipping distortion is inaudible, some say it’s the true secret of really “loud” mastering, some say it’s a powerful creative effect, others that it’s the spawn of the devil. So who is right, and why ? In this show we talk about: * What clipping is, and the difference between the analogue & digital varieties *When and why we use it *Whether you can repair clipping damage *The difference between clipping and limiting *Why clipping & saturation are NOT the secret of "analogue warmth" Full show notes and links http://themasteringshow.com/episode-26Mentioned in this episode:LeapwingFind out more about Leapwing's pluginsLearn to master !Click HERE to see Ian's courses and mastering resources

16 Jan 201754min

It’s amazing how much control you can have of the stereo image in mastering, even with quite simple tools. In this show we explore: * What is stereo ? The simplest and most sophisticated types * Ian's new favourite mixing plugin for creating stereo from a mono sound * How to measure stereo width and control it * How to influence reverb levels in mastering * What is M/S processing - and why it's probably not exactly what you think * The power & problems of M/S processing * Recommended stereo processing plugins Our guest this week is Ian Stewart Links: Ian Stewart's Blog http://ianstewartmusic.us/blog/ Flux stereo tool http://www.fluxhome.com/products/freewares/stereotool-v3 Jerobeam Fenderson - music made for oscilloscope http://oscilloscopemusic.com Voxengo MSED - mid/side plugin http://www.voxengo.com/product/msed/ VUMT - VU meter emulation (new version) http://klanghelm.com/contents/products/VUMT/VUMT.php Fabfilter Pro Q 2 http://www.fabfilter.com/products/pro-q-2-equalizer-plug-in Stereo width in mastering – how to measure, monitor and modify it http://productionadvice.co.uk/stereo-width/ (Video includes demos of a simple correlator and the Nugen Visualizer 2 with 'correlation by frequency' display)Mentioned in this episode:Learn to master !Click HERE to see Ian's courses and mastering resourcesLeapwingFind out more about Leapwing's plugins

12 Dec 20161h 11min

How do you optimise your music for online streaming, when there are so many different services and standards out there ? Specifically: * What’s the best file format to submit ? * What about the specifications ? * Can you compensate for the sound of the encoder ? * How do you know how loud to make your music ? * Should you make separate masters for every service ? * What about Mastered for iTunes ? To get the “Black Friday” discount on Dynameter or any other MeterPlugs product, use this link and the coupon code TMSBLACK in the shopping cart: Ian Shepherd’s Dynameter, by MeterPlugs https://transactions.sendowl.com/stores/5980/11556 Links Why mp3 sucks, and how to hear it http://productionadvice.co.uk/why-mp3-sounds-bad/ Sample rate conversion comparisons http://src.infinitewave.ca TMS - The Dither Episode http://themasteringshow.com/episode-21/ Online streaming loudness infographic http://productionadvice.co.uk/online-loudness/ TMS - The Loudness Episode http://themasteringshow.com/episode-6/ Mastered for iTunes - the saviour of great sound ? http://productionadvice.co.uk/what-is-mastered-for-itunes/ Online streaming loudness petition https://www.change.org/p/music-streaming-services-bring-peace-to-the-loudness-warMentioned in this episode:LeapwingFind out more about Leapwing's pluginsLearn to master !Click HERE to see Ian's courses and mastering resources

24 Nov 201653min

The most common question I’ve been asked since starting the show is - “how do I balance songs against one another ?”. Especially balancing quiet and loud songs, or when they’re from diverse genres. So in this show, we try to answer that - and touch on many other topics, too: * The mastering tip that’s almost too simple to say - but embodies the heart and soul of mastering * Why Ian doesn't master single songs any more (if he can help it) * Do all digital EQs sound the same ? And Ian’s new favourite (free) EQ plugin * Why we need "Album mode” to stop loudness management sucking the heart out of our music * The first thing Ian does in every mastering session * A ninja loudness trick when balancing quiet & loud songs * Should you use automation when mastering ? Links The Heart & Soul of Mastering http://productionadvice.co.uk/heart-and-soul/ iTunes Sound Check has “album mode” - finally ! http://productionadvice.co.uk/sound-check-album-mode/ TDR Nova EQ http://www.tokyodawn.net/tdr-nova/ Multiband compression – the mastering engineer’s secret weapon ? http://productionadvice.co.uk/multiband-compression-for-mastering/Mentioned in this episode:LeapwingFind out more about Leapwing's pluginsLearn to master !Click HERE to see Ian's courses and mastering resources

15 Nov 201656min

Your questions answered. Well, some of them, anyway ! It’s been over 20 episodes, people seem to be liking the show, and have been asking lots of questions - it seemed like a good time to answer some of them. Topics include: Do we really NEED mastering ? - Why you shouldn’t master on the mix bus (if you want to be good !) - Dealing with clients (and why you should make yourself expensive) - The best way to burn a master disc, and which brands to buy - How to mix and master drums LOUD And many more... Links The three Ms of mastering (including Mindset) - TMS Episode #2 http://themasteringshow.com/episode-2/ Limiting - TMS Episode #3 http://themasteringshow.com/episode-3/ Why your EDM will sound better with more dynamics – and 6 places to find them http://productionadvice.co.uk/edm-dynamics/ Mastering in Reaper Interview with Jon about Mastering http://reaperblog.net/2015/03/mastering-in-reaper-interview/ Jon's Mastering session setup tips http://reaperblog.net/2014/11/video-mastering-project-setup/ Jon's new Reaper mastering workflow video http://wp.me/p2EzQl-1kf The Home Mastering Masterclass http://www.homemastering.comMentioned in this episode:Learn to master !Click HERE to see Ian's courses and mastering resourcesLeapwingFind out more about Leapwing's plugins

17 Okt 20161h 11min