Before mastering

1. What is before mastering?
2. What should your levels be before mastering?
3. What are the steps to mastering?
4. Do you mix before you master?

What is before mastering?

Mastering engineers need to have some headroom to apply additional processing to a mix so make sure you print your mix below 0dB. Using your DAW's meter, make sure your mix is printed with peaks no higher than -1dB. This allows ample room for mastering and ensures that your peaks will not go over the 0dB.

What should your levels be before mastering?

The loudest part of your song (peak level) should be around -3db to -5db (below 0 level). This is considered +3db to +5db of headroom. This is the ideal amount of headroom for mastering that you want to leave.

What are the steps to mastering?

Here's a summary of the steps you'll need to take when you master your mix:

1. Optimize your listening space.
2. Finish your mix (to sound mastered).
3. Check the levels.
4. Bounce down your stereo track.
5. Take a break (of at least a day).
6. Create a new project and import your references.
7. Listen for the first time (and take notes).

Do you mix before you master?

The great myth about mastering is that it is a magical process that will make your mixes better. The truth is, mastering is a simple process that can't do much for crappy mixes. If your mixes are good, then you won't need mastering to improve them.