Are You Listening? Ep. 1 | Audio Mastering Basics

What is audio mastering? What are the differences between mixing and mastering? Follow along as professional mastering engineer and iZotope Director of Education Jonathan Wyner answers these questions in Episode 1 of 'Are You Listening?'-iZotope's audio mastering video series.
Explore the new Ozone 10, the industry's most advanced audio mastering software to get professional, loud masters: www.izotope.com/en/products/o...
Watch all three seasons of 'Are You Listening?': www.izotope.com/en/lp/are-you...
Learn more about the fundamentals of mastering with over 100 helpful articles: www.izotope.com/en/learn/what...
Note: The audio examples you hear have been altered from their original recordings to bring attention to the core concepts highlighted in the 'Are You Listening?' Series.
0:00 Introduction
0:50 Audio mastering basics
4:29 What is mastering?
5:49 Can you mix and master at the same time?
7:14 Level vs. loudness
8:06 How genre influences loudness
10:56 Are there rules in mastering?
13:29 Download Ozone, free trial
#AreYouListening #iZotope #Mastering

[@jrileyhill]

Mastering engineers are always so thoughtful and well spoken haha

[@yx2822]

They seems to be so delicate and peaceful while they eventually work on Brutal Death Metal projects

[@jrileyhill]

@@yx2822 haha true

[@sweedmusic2166]

Glenn Fricker from spectre sound studios

[@jrileyhill]

@@sweedmusic2166 yeah? he is not thoughtful or well spoken i guess haha. but he isn't a mastering engineer. He is a recording/mixing engineer for metal

[@sweedmusic2166]

@@jrileyhill oh yes, But his words have truth though

[@channelderek9005]

I like the way you post audio examples and give us a chance to use our own minds to figure out what’s wrong and what’s right with each example....

[@dulla8469]

i think that izotope are having meeting everyday on how to revolutionize this music industry

[@DailySupporter9446]

We obsession with media

[@TheBlackJewelz]

They must be. With NASA engineers or something

[@georgpopp7305]

The song that is used as an example: Needs & Wants - Latrell James

[@sirjcurry2182]

Loudness potential? Brilliant point. Some songs can't be as loud as others and still maintain their personality, core, heart, soul. Thanks, amazing point. When I mention this in negotiations with clients you will be in my heart.

[@josephpurdue7583]

The 'Loudness Potential' is the best thing about this video I think. We've all been confused in the past by 'why does my piano and vocal song sound twice as loud as the full band/orchestra song?' But he explains this very well. I'd never considered the phase from wide tracks making things quieter. Also mid range verse, high end or low end was interesting. These are great videos.

[@surface2airr223]

What a nice Valetine's day gift. Thanks iZotope

[@originalvonster]

8:30 genre 12:30 small eq moves

[@Geo-wc7jc]

What an incredible series. Much appreciated : )

[@crisrose521]

Mastering is “ unifying “ the final mix if you would . Shaping the sound spectrum and using depth control is a big part of this .

[@MikeHeebz]

This is exactly what is needed & has been missing from other Mastering Tutorial Videos. Thank you to Jonathan Wyner & iZotope for sharing this information. 'I Am Listening' =)

[@itsKaceMusic]

Can't wait for next episode!🙌

[@emsanchez85]

Beautifully said friend, well done! Looking forward to more videos. Izotope, you guys rock! Your plugins are so easy to use but somehow very in depth and intricate, it really is amazing and appreciated by many. 🙏🙌🏼👏☝️💪

[@kausbeats]

Jonathan, Great video! I’ve watched a lot of videos on this topic trying to learn but never really understood what they meant. Until now, thank you for making it easier to understand.

[@VISSEX]

Coming back to this a year later realizing what a fantastic series this is

[@alysoncastonguay6619]

This is so great! Thank you. What a time it is to be learning about Mastering. I feel very fortunate.

[@matthewlloyd3651]

I'm just getting started on my studio engineering journey. This is extremely helpful - thank you!

[@TheWiseMonk]

This was the first time I tried to seek knowledge about mastering, and honestly, this is good.

[@BedfordLevelExperiment]

9:35 "solo tuba recording" got a legit LOL out of me. This episode is great, I'm really looking forward to more.

[@johnponiatowski5167]

Check out "Epic Low Brass" on KZbin. It might change your mind about Tuba.

[@studiogorilla]

Great stuff! I've been using Ozone since version 5. I'm running 8 advanced now and LOVE IT. I use it in my mixing and mastering. Even though I won a Grammy for mastering one project, I still learn something every time I sit down to do it. I'm eager to soak up what I can from this series. Thanks!

[@lucasgerow1221]

Watching as many videos on what mastering even is, is a great idea for those of us trying to make our mixes sound mastered while mixing. It helped me to realize I'm making my elements work together while mixing, while also creating a vibe. When I master, I'm trying to push/pull that vibe until it becomes something you really feel no matter what you listen on.

[@AriaStone]

Thanks for creating this course. Jonathan is such a great presenter of information.

[@garaughty]

Absolutely brilliant series... love the "forest for the trees" analogy !

[@vonlionwav]

Please, make more of this. So inspiring.

[@ellane8441]

This definitely the definitive breakdown in common language and common sense for a producer, artist and/or client. Well delivered and received.

[@PATTERNPUSHER]

best valentines gift ever!

[@ManniDmusic]

I have seen so many videos on mastering, but this one is by far the best in explaining the basics of mastering. Thanks to Jonathan's speaking skills I'm going to watch all his episodes on Are You Listening...thank you iZotope for making this series available.

[@PeterBatah]

Clear & Precise. Your delivery was spot on. Thank you for sharing your time and expertise with us Jonathan.

[@prodbyjoenathaniel]

that guy is an absolute legend for sharing those gems !

[@djgarybmixesit]

I will def be tuning in to these videos to up my knowledge of this art.

[@MisterExcelsior]

Let’s become great audio engineers 🤙🏻🤙🏻

[@kiliankraus]

what an amazing series, very excited to binge these

[@nikolaikitanov9996]

Perfect explanation of mastering! I am music listener for more than 45 years and have great interest of making good sound from a famous professional like mr. Jonathan Wyner! And all that high class aducation for free! I am from Sofia, Bulgaria. There are so many studios in Sofia, very well equped, but all they work as "secret societies". I am very grateful to mr. Wyner and professionals like him. Having this information music fans will increase their listening abilities! And highly appreciate his perfect english! Thank you very much Jonathan!!

[@bkxt]

Can't wait for the Ep.2 !!!!!

[@nnxmediagroup5049]

I like the spectrum of your understanding about the organic listening

[@ProdbyAdwerdz]

This was the exact basics I needed to start with, Thanks!

[@Mike_Benz_]

Love this guy, so much knowledge.

[@KingGrio]

That was great: clear, relatable. Izotope really makes great video content

[@PereRevert]

Thanks so much guys for this awe-inspiring insight, please don't stop sharing those kind of videos...

[@marmadukewinterbotham2599]

Great idea for a video series, thanks! I've used iZotope products for years and find Ozone indispensable. I find I get more out of this when the tracks are using real instruments; when I hear a rap-type track comprised of loads of loops of artificial sounds I have no idea what to compare the components and sounds to.

[@mcsstudios101]

This is great! thank you. I love your products!

[@SselemaN]

Starting Season 1, Ep 1, after catching a few in my feed. Bless you for the sharing of your wisdom in the craft. 🔥🖤🔥

[@kamijamjam]

Amazing, very insightful and clean. Thank you.

[@oriellamenares2800]

this is so well made and explained!!!

[@therealdjap]

Very informative! I use Izotope products regularly. His presentation was flawless.

[@mcfontaine]

Thank you for this. I hope more people get to see these videos and then realise that Izotope is the absolute goto software for anyone who wants to create great audio.

[@seancarruthers237]

Wow, this was an amazing video. Extremely insightful and articulate. 14 minutes flew by!

[@CarloLibertini]

Love it!.. Priceless information. Thank you-

[@priscillaraeburn5070]

More open simminars Like this is on its way..keep it coming.👍

[@flyjayofficial]

Great explanations & insight ! Thank you very much guys

[@jessicahainesmusic]

his voice is so calming...!

[@seiXrou]

awesome video!

[@Darragh1]

This was a great tutorial. Johnathan Wyner and Greg Calbi are the reasons I love mastering. Such a privileged job in a way. Big decisions.

[@ToniJXN]

❤️❤️❤️ Thanks so much, this helped me a lot.

[@mikenicholson6927]

Great info! Well spoken! I’m def going to enjoy this series!

[@jesudasruben112]

Thanks for sharing your knowledge and experience.

[@lautasucaret]

exelente explicacion, se nota que es un gran profesional

[@johnoliverthethird7264]

Wow! Thank you so much. Great insight to such a tremendously important part of the overall project.

[@doctorcarlos]

I am listening, carefully... to you! I like what I hear so far because for the first time someone is encouraging/empowering me to become better at mastering, rather than insinuating that I can only trust the task to the experts (mastering gods). Thank you!

[@Foxx07]

Thank you for sharing your knowledge

[@zICkstep]

AWESOME! Thank you 👊

[@jaydjonesmusic]

Thank you, I loved this

[@joswylin7787]

Very nice that you listen to your users. I have one major question that goes as well for all DAWs and plugins. There is a tremendous shortage of good tutorials about working with classical music, and with midi files specifically. A huge amount of information about how to deal with audio files and pop music, but very rare and worthless insight in the virtual classical music (which I usually and solely practice). So I would be very grateful to get some tutorials on that topic. And thanks for listening!

[@samigoswrld]

Awesome! Thank You!

[@MusicFromTheBlackBox]

This guy makes a great teacher!

[@nimblebutler]

I do a fair amount of mixing for broadcast, and it basically has to be “mastered” when I’m finished with a mix - I understand the difference between a mix engineer and a mastering engineer pretty clearly, but I am also working towards achieving a mastered result by the end of my product. I’m very excited to learn from this series and try to “level up” my production.

[@TrakLejendBeatz]

Thank you for this!

[@m.i.stapes]

Dang. This is incredible! I really wish I had found these sooner.

[@maropengmabitsi9316]

Thank you Izotope! ♥️

[@cameron7957]

Learned something from this. Thanks!

[@mano123456]

This is a fantastic series. Thank you iZotope. I'd love you to publish the same thing for mixing! Neutron etc. Thanks again

[@zetamale]

I usually find Izotope videos a bit 'jargon heavy', but I like this dude for his simple language and easily digestible terms of reference. Good video!

[@bouncygangsta]

im 3 minutes in and i understand more about mastering than what i was able to gather in 3 days of nonstop making my first track in DAW and Googling. Amazing work, this sets the standard for how educational videos should be made.

[@reinholdseiber8984]

Great! You are whole lotta steps ahead!

[@dounia4207]

thank u, this is some gold right here, wish i could like it more than once 😊😊

[@olasideeq]

excited at this video already!!!

[@samholder196]

You're a great teacher.

[@kingech_B15]

IZ is leading the way

[@lucassmk9881]

thanks for your classes : )

[@siddhantpetkar9728]

I'm listening! I want more!

[@DjCutman]

Very cool, iZotope! Thanks for this~

[@Yxp50]

Thank you it’s amazing!

[@sparklesnowadvencha]

This is really helpful. Thank you!

[@jonasmemborg4196]

I studied classical composition a few years back, and we have sort of a value system for different instrument groups. You have to consider the "mix/master" of the instruments used, and how to use them well. Especially for orchestra or an ensemble consisting of different instrument groups. It was interesting to hear you talk about the piccolo and, of course, the always popular tuba solo. - Great videos. They're much appreciated.

[@julianacosta938]

Amazing, love this man

[@Professoar]

I think I am reading your book right now, what a coincidence I am now watching a video with you and the same studio you talk about in the book. Very cool

[@jasabasenara8124]

Awesome. Thankyou. Subscribed.

[@jjdagreat187]

Dope azz video, We are ready for the next one.

[@absinha6209]

This is great!

[@victoriousakadiceproductions]

Nice, thank you for this video!

[@IamBaumLP]

fire song thanks for this video

[@sirjcurry2182]

All of us hoping for at least that one hit, so we can provide for our families, and noble causes. Only a few will make the holy grail. I trust that all of you do well and may the best XX, XY, XXY, etc win. Best of luck.

[@Alex-wl6oc]

Izotope. Thank you!

[@ruf1669]

Very informative...thank you Jonathan

[@dmobharpz]

Great job

[@WhiteHeat-yd6zm]

Bloody top notch.

[@user-xw4tn7xi5v]

Bravo iZotope!

[@fridafeline]

Thank you! Good video :)

[@xtakerux]

This is so great i liked the idea

[@TONYSTORM]

Ty this is very informative and helpful

[@MalekOfficial]

Everyone watching this should subscribe and hit the notification bell, immediately. This is by far one of the best sources for pro mixing and mastering education on the net. Respect.