Mastering means preparation of a master copy for replication

1. Traditionally, mastering is performed by a specialized facility using custom and/or high-end monitoring, playback and signal processing gear to correct whatever shortcomings are found in the tonal balance and dynamics. A mastering engineer's job is to bring out the very best in a recording.
2. The major components of mastering are quality control, experience evaluating how effectively one's work will compete in the marketplace and the technical skills and facilities necessary to make such judgments and then utilize them to create a competitive, technically bullet-proof master.
3. Most mastering engineers are former employees that were trained by the major labels or by the independent mastering houses that work for the major labels. Broadcasting is another, although less common background that some mastering engineers have.
4. Audio manufacturers and software developers have redefined the term lately to put an impressive-sounding spin on their advertising rhetoric. Transferring, signal processing and burning CDs are purely incidental to mastering.

Bob Olhsson Sun, 07/15/2001 - 16:25

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