Mastering is the final stage in the audio-production process and happens after mixing. The term originates from a time before digital masters, when a “master copy” of the file would be printed to some form of data storage device, like magnetic tape once the mix was done. This copy would then be used to create all other copies of the file.
Nowadays, mastering consists of processing the mix into a single file, either optimized to sound good on all playback systems or adjusted to particular distribution specifications.
Related to: Audio, mixing, tracking, post-production
Learn more:
- Blog: Hold for Sound: Let’s Talk Audio Projects from 2023
- Blog: Hold for Sound: Let’s Talk Dolby Atmos and the Neve Genesys G3D (coming soon!)
