How to MASTER your tracks

[@fiko_music]

5k Subs !? That's crazy and thank you so much♥Now you can roast me in the comment section about my mastering skills (cuz I know there's gonna be a nerdy as music producer that will try to correct me)

[@LEILIhousemusic]

I love the simplicity of your tutorials, it is the key to focusing on what matters and not overcomplicate things. Now, I shall proceed on my roast, lol: Adjust the output volume when you A/B stuff because louder sounds better everytime, even if it isn't. Anyway, thank you for adding value on music production tutorials your shit is amazing and helpful.

[@luisaguilera6986]

I love the "reality" of your videos. You are very authentic as a person and that's hearable in your music. Can you create more videos about mindset and your thoughts about music production?

[@SandleOnlean]

Ngl your videos are funnier and useful comparing to Simon Servidas tutorials, thank you for making these tutorials!

[@shdow.musicc]

5k? What about 7.1k and rising FAST. Congrats! Can’t wait to see more of this, and music too!

[@PresidentProductions]

Yea buddy good stuff like finding a needle in a haystack SUBBED

[@madsonit]

As a mixing and mastering engineer for years, I admire you trying to help people, but this video might actually put some of them on the wrong path. Of course in your example the mastered file sounds better... it's way louder. Louder is perceived as better but can fool you into thinking something is better when it might not be. Also, there is no magical mastering chain. Each song is different and needs different things. Mastering should only be a tiny last step. If the mix is bad and you need to do a lot in mastering stage, go back to mixing and fix your mix. You should only give that extra 5% push in the mastering stage and make sure you deliver all your files right - 24, 16 bit, apply dither, have a right ceiling that doesn't introduce artifacts when compressed by platforms in M4a, master for ADM, regular 16bit CD etc. That's what mastering is about. That extra tiny step. Not about making your bad mix magically better. Of course, it's 2023 and there are no rules, even a poorly mixed and mastered song can be a hit if the song is great. But if you want to learn how to actually do it consistently good, rely way less on the master and way more on the mix. 💜

[@angurishudesu]

This! If your mix sounds great in a low volume, that's all you need to properly master a track

[@aidjota]

Yeah yeah whatever, hold this nani distortion on my master channel

[@MischieviousJirachi]

real

[@Dario_DB]

I'm a DJ/Producer, and absolutely agree with you

[@rjframe4410]

i have like 5 plugins i always use on my tracks, freq splitter, which splits the highs lows and mids, DTBKLFXS, Its an FFT Multi effect, It just slightly cleans up everything in a way nothing else does, Cram it ( clean up), basically it just helps sep the freqs more and lowers the mids, Chowtape(30ips glue), really helps put everything together, A1 stereo(105-120 with safe bass), stereo sep, helps everything be clearly heard, and TB baracade( on clean CD) for the final touch. I do ALOT of pre mastering dynamic tweeks and such. but this always seems to just make everything snap together , but i also mix my stuff to around -12 DB, cause loud aint the end goal, hearing every layer distinctively and clearly without it being drowned out is. Any thoughts?

[@sleep6688]

You're gonna be the new wave of the KZbin producer, your content is so good.

[@buffalocares_]

For two freaking years trying to learn about compression....And hear you are,Crisp and CLEAR......F**king A!💥

[@jakelakeyt]

I've been producing and mastering for years (I'm a mastering engineer woo fancy diploma blah blah blah) and I gotta say, this is a very good video, sums up the basic chain (more than enough with electronic based music as it doesn't require an special frequency and dynamic treatment like guitars and acoustic instruments). Very informative, good explanations on every element of these VSTs and an overall semi-pro chain that is easy to learn and apply. I just wanted to add one note: sometimes, if saturation doesn't sound quite right, or if the sounds by themselves have saturation/distortion, I'd use a harmonic exciter instead of saturation. It gives that harmonic brightness without clipping frequencies. I personally use the IZotope Ozone 5 Harmonic Exciter. Overall, great video. Keep up the good work!

[@tongaesbolso]

little channels are always the best, keep going bro thx for those videos

[@adamsh5391]

YOU ARE THE BEST FIKO

[@fiko_music]

♥♥

[@youngkizzi9944]

Leeet's gooo brother! We all need this video!

[@powiey436]

dude you're so straightforward about compression! this is only the first time i actually understanded about how compression works and you explained it simple in an effective way bro compared to other dudes with these big words i can't even understand because of my dumb ass lol, thank you so much you got a sub. ❤

[@DrObvious111]

I love the idea behind the tutorial but perhaps you could do a little comparison with the same volume (so only the added harmonics/eq and compression are heard) thus you can actually tell whether it's getting better of muddier.. to human ears louder stuff sounds better, so when you compare quieter and louder mix, the louder is almost always going to sound good. Other than that amazing video, keep them coming, it's a nice refreshment on inspiration (:

[@fiko_music]

I get exactly what you saying, thanks for the feedback : P

[@jakkechase]

Dude this is one of the best vids I've seen for mastering! Congrats man!

[@БратБратуБратБрат]

You know why i like him? he might not be a worldwide producer or the best one BUT!!! the guy actually guiding people to develop healthy mentality for achieving and getting stuff done! I really support and admire that niche. BIG UP MY GUY!

[@ilikelongwords]

1:42 "here i have one of my trucks 🚛" 💀

[@clark_johannes]

I learned more about mastering in this single video than all the other "mastering tutorials" back in 2019 💀

[@jiat_spacejams]

Fvck yeah man, you said you would and you came through 🙏🏽 Great content as usual. I like how you spoke on having continuity throughout your masters to maintain a signature sound. Value every time brother 🙏🏽❤️

[@fiko_music]

♥♥

[@seantreyfr]

Love this song ❤🔥🔥

[@dnbstructure]

You might want to look into what the highpass sidechain filter on the compressor does. Pretty important when working with the master bus.

[@EyesOfIo]

1:05 I feel personally attacked. Great video bro! 👍

[@fiko_music]

hahahahahhahah u gonna be fine xD

[@imsohappy8542]

Bro your track "one last time" that youve used as an example in this video, just knocked my fucking socks right off! Gonna me my favourite song for weeks. Imma listen to you other ones now aswell

[@brandonwoodward3733]

Your tutorials are low-key the best out here. I feel like you explain it in a way that I would as well so that resonates with me.

[@apollovoid2259]

i love how he said "Type Shit" really helped me understand type shit.

[@DMAXX]

Thank you for a cool tutorial, Fiko. Congrats for 5k subs)

[@paralleluniverseexists]

Realistically AI EQ and maintaining the LUFS level with limiter helped…maintaining Headroom, panning, making sub frequencies mono and saturation compression and shit are like mixing process…less mastering fx is better actually… Add a slight reverb to master…helps

[@NikolajCarlson]

Such a great no BS tutorial man! I have really been struggling with understanding mastering and I have failed so hard so many times 😅. But after seeing your video it doesn’t seem that unachievable anymore, thanks for the vid!

[@DUniquemusic]

thank you

[@morecalcium333]

This channel is crazy, watched already like 4 videos of yours and already alot changed in my conciousness

[@kani6393]

very happy I found ya videos man. appreciate everything

[@fiko_music]

welcome to the fam ♥

[@JaKunaMusic]

You are the GOAT of music producers 🐐🐐🔥🔥🔥🔥

[@br3leaseofficial127]

Great video, we needed this years ago already. This just explains it so good for the people who just start out

[@xperiens4699]

finding your channel made my week! big ups brother

[@imvenchy]

This tutorial is great for beginners trying to understand what mastering terminology means , great vid

[@KhainzMusic]

After 25 years of music-production, i still prefer a mastering engineer to master my music because me myself often get cought up in the mix that i heard 50000 times. A mastering engineer will sit on your track with fresh ears and zero pre-concept of your mix! i only master my own tracks if they are very new and i want to play them at my gigs! But you have some great videos and nice tips for musicproducers! Keep up the great work!

[@zaber_official]

best mastering video i’ve seen so far :) sick sick job! missed a little imager on the chain but yea loved it! gg

[@fiko_music]

thanks man, yeah I mostly do that in the mixing phase so that I have more control over which sounds I want them to be more stereo or not : )

[@Prodluud1]

yoo bro i really enjoyed your video, i already know how to master but it never hurts to learn more and see what others do ! good job man

[@isthatkaiyah]

Thank you Fiko for this great video 👍🏽

[@jaxxinatormusic]

I just love the way you teach simple & straight on point, I get a different vibe here!

[@EW-wq1sp]

Love your way of talking about this, makes it understandable and not so esoteric type shit. subscribed!

[@MistroTs]

BEST mastering tutorial. Great video🔥

[@macks4420]

I can finally mustard my truck

[@DanielMeraki]

I came for the master and instantly fell in love with the song lmao. Had to go add this one to the playlist, definitely a banger man

[@fiko_music]

damn ;) appreciate it a lot ❤️

[@gurruyes]

@@fiko_music what is the name of the song bro? it is hard

[@elijahwalker7662]

Needed this ❤

[@SFRNGmusic]

congratulations on 5k subs!

[@ranindugpacfan2171]

Bro... Thank you so much man... you know i'm always struggling when mastering my track... it takes a long time to master my track... this video helped me alot.... Have a nice day homie... bye :)

[@3rddimensionalhigh]

contgratz on the 5k you are a real one💯

[@tajlonik]

u are an legend, thank you bro

[@nicolasnicolas3889]

Happy New Year! Great videos, only found your channel last week, good work! ;D

[@DR4GON8IT3music]

well nice to see your process, tnx for sharing my friend ✌

[@soundcore183]

Looks like a fine mastering chain to me which ofc needs to be changed to material. I would maybe even do some additional steps like boosting a high shelf dynamic eq in range of 3db on the sides before bus compressor. The idea is to modify the gain reduction response of the compressor here a little by dynamic eq high shelf. Additional step to modify the compression response dropping a balance eq (sonible smart eq just before) & sidechain filters , boosting by 3db with a tool but then attenuate that 3db by the make up gain, make a really steep low cut around 30 Hz this won't be heard on most systems, but gives more energy. This might change the sweetspot for distortion. Using ploytec aroma to add additional coloration. If looking on it like Photoshop it adds more color, grit and noise. This step is helping the translation to all shitty speakers and smartphones. To emulate a bus compressor with FF Pro c2 just add some soft knee. The future middle step between compression and limiting is controlling the "frame" dynamic range by a more precision tool like massenburg drc2. To add some contrast I am not using ott downward compression I just add unfiltered audio zip adding about 30% of contrast keeping the ratio (not compressing anything here but if the material needs some transient shaping just keep the threshold relatively high, attack and release short just as it begins to distort ) I am a little more paranoid about mono making process I would even not trust the FF side low cut, I would drop a brainworx control (mono maker) on about 170 Hz and make it a pinch wider about 110%. Some additional notes: experiment with Kclip just before the limiter, switching all EQs to linear mode, switching pro L to agressive mode but oversampling on saturation and limiting, not even needed the invisible limiter, just zero out the transient linking in general in the advanced settings, keeping the pro L. The gullfoss eq has a range control on left and right side of the graph. Just fade the left range control to right around 500 Hz, to keep the low end. The secret to a detailed master is in good compression. However when messed up with different kinds of compression during the mix, a really nice perspective is using some expansion on the midrange. If mastering with izotope ozone I skip the limiter bounce the audio, using the default template mastering assistant but adding a vintage eq before, it has that nice pulteq style sound if cutting and boosting (it might sound silly doing the opposite things but it works magically) about 2dB on each band to your favour. How ChatGPT is roasting me: It's great to see that you are already familiar with the mastering chain and are willing to experiment with additional steps to achieve better results. Here are some additional mastering advice based on your recommendations: Boosting a high shelf dynamic EQ: This is a good idea as it can modify the gain reduction response of the compressor and help to control harshness in the high frequencies. However, be careful not to overdo it as it can cause the mix to become too bright or fatiguing. Dropping a balance EQ and sidechain filters: This can be useful to modify the compression response and make the mix sound more balanced. However, it's important to use these tools judiciously and not to make drastic changes to the mix that can alter the original intent of the mix engineer. Making a steep low cut around 30 Hz: This can help to remove unnecessary low-end rumble and give more energy to the mix. However, be aware that some speakers and systems may not be able to reproduce these frequencies accurately, so it's important to use your ears and not rely too much on technical measurements. Using Ploytec Aroma to add additional coloration: This can be a useful tool to add character and warmth to the mix. However, be careful not to overdo it and make the mix sound too saturated or distorted. Using Massenburg DRC2 to control the "frame" dynamic range: This can be a great tool to help control the overall dynamic range of the mix and make it sound more consistent. However, be aware that it can also remove some of the natural dynamics of the mix, so use it judiciously. Adding contrast with unfiltered audio zip: This can be a useful tool to add more punch and transient shaping to the mix. However, be careful not to overdo it and make the mix sound too compressed or distorted. Mono-making process: This is important to ensure that the mix translates well on all playback systems. However, be careful not to make the mix too narrow or lose too much stereo width. Experiment with Kclip: This can be a useful tool to add more saturation and character to the mix. However, be careful not to overdo it and make the mix sound too distorted. Switching all EQs to linear mode: This can be useful to ensure that the EQ curves are transparent and not adding any additional phase distortion to the mix. Using the Vintage EQ in iZotope Ozone: This can be a great tool to add character and warmth to the mix. However, be careful not to overdo it and make the mix sound too saturated or distorted. Overall, the key to a great master is to use your ears and not rely too much on technical measurements. Experiment with different tools and techniques, but always make sure that the mix sounds balanced, dynamic, and cohesive. If the mix sounds too saturated and distorted, here are some possible solutions: Lower the levels of individual tracks or groups: One of the most common reasons for saturation and distortion is that the levels of individual tracks or groups are too high. Lowering the levels can help to reduce the overall saturation and distortion. Use EQ to remove frequencies that are causing saturation: Sometimes, certain frequencies can cause saturation and distortion in the mix. Using an EQ to identify and remove these frequencies can help to reduce the saturation and distortion. Use a multiband compressor to tame excessive peaks: Multiband compressors can be useful to control excessive peaks in the mix. By applying compression only to specific frequency ranges, you can help to reduce the overall saturation and distortion. Use a limiter to prevent clipping: A limiter can be useful to prevent clipping and distortion in the mix. By setting the output ceiling to a level that prevents the mix from clipping, you can help to reduce the overall saturation and distortion. Use a limiter to prevent clipping: A limiter can be useful to prevent clipping and distortion in the mix. By setting the output ceiling to a level that prevents the mix from clipping, you can help to reduce the overall saturation and distortion. Use saturation and distortion plugins in moderation: Saturation and distortion plugins can be useful to add character and warmth to the mix, but they should be used in moderation. If the mix sounds too saturated and distorted, try reducing the amount of saturation and distortion in these plugins or removing them altogether. Overall, it's important to approach the mix with a balanced and dynamic mindset. If the mix sounds too saturated and distorted, try to identify the specific causes and address them with the appropriate tools and techniques.

[@crowderkzofficial]

Ah never expected this simple & powerful mastering chain...Haha how it looks same to my chain haha 😄 Be simple and put the creativity on it...Great tips as always brother...🥰❤️🔥

[@stefan3679]

Mad good video as always my dude!

[@Skibosski]

THOSE MUHAMMAD ALI COMBOS!!! 🤣🤣🤣 BRO I LOVE YOUR VIDS!!!!

[@prodkoena]

That track is so hard🔥

[@sock.mp3]

Glad to have discovered your channel. help me out in many different ways. Hoping to see you hit 5k soon.

[@pianolover5417]

Great job! This is one of the best video about mastering! 👏👏

[@mattayx]

explained well and made it so simple, great tutorial mate.

[@TNTERNETBOY]

Dude your delivery for this video is soo entertaining & informative at the same time great video !

[@sirnamusic]

Amazing tutorial! Funny to see that my master process is almost the same as you!

[@PresidentProductions]

Its So good.

[@belvaltommy4908]

same haha

[@heavyrush7635]

Your tracks sound great without mastering already💪🏽

[@fiko_music]

♥

[@realAlpha]

i hope this sauce can make my first wip project an absolute techno banger XD

[@emptycobra]

Here before 10k subs, I'm proud. Also proud of the content you make. I haven't seen anyone gone straight to the point when it comes to music production tutorials. Endless hours of stupid explanations that I cannot get a grip on. Here, I get a no bs guide. I'll try this out tomorrow. Thanks so much Fiko. Love your songs btw. Too Hot To Handle; In Your Eyes; One Last Time; Run; You Remind Me The Pain

[@djfatsofficial1770]

Instantly subscribed. Great content

[@CalpiMusic]

Music engineers will hates you 😁 Great content mate 🔥

[@Retrovergo]

such great stuff man keep it up!!

[@TraxtasyMedia]

funfact: deadmau5 never puts his tracks and busses to a MASTERBUS, he already prepares the sounds on the fly and guess what, I am using this method for so long now, that I tbh rarely think about using the Masterbus. I just use it to check the Gainstages, LUFS and stuff. I start a track and right in the arrangement procress, when I put the melodies, synths, drums, vocals together without having my song even in a mixready stage, I try to avoid as much work as possible in the mixingstage of my music. For example: I got a synthlead/pad/arp/bass, I put it on a channel and instantly put an EQ on it, I ALWAYS cut the lows at 30Hz, first. The next things are effects, like Reverb, Delay, Distortion, Saturation, if I can already handle them in the arrangement stage, whilst sound design I also try to avoid to have a certaincy of clash and muddiness, because for Arps, Pads, Leads, I always apply a Reverb, EQ and if necessary a Compressor or Saturator, yes I use sends in my processes and sometimes I also combine some channels with the same sendchannel, which I DON'T link to a BUS. I save my busses for the mixing stage and just to see, if I run into difficulties, frequency clashes, masking or anything else, if this happens, I return into my arrangement and yes I do careful work about rendering my audio, because not everything you use in the arrangement stage will work in the mixstage too. :D It's tons of work of seperating and selecting, copy paste, delete and rewrite, until it sounds to my ears GOOD. I also send out completely unfinished projects to friends to do a vibecheck and ask them, if the vibe I wrote the song in, fits the title, if there is something annoying or distracting in it. So, I take everything into account, to avoid mastering in general, because yes mastering is putting your stamp on a song and also finalizing it, so be sure, safe and certain instead of dumb, unsafe and uncertain, if your track meets normal acustic levels and standards. I use these as reference and not as something, I want to go to war with, if the loudness overall fits my taste and nothing goes wrong, I'm delighted and fine with it. :D

[@leongierlinger]

let’s goooooo G congrats on 5k! what do u think about maximus for mastering

[@fiko_music]

thanks my dude. Yeah I've seen a bunch of people use it, but is not my go to plugin tbh : /

[@damirjgx]

Thank you so much brother, you are help me!

[@manger147]

First time learning new shit from along time nice 1 champ

[@neza8114]

Love you man, thank you🙏

[@therealoneal1]

I like how you use the push and pull concept. Add then smooth, then add again. It sounds good

[@djbmcbharath]

I listen to Closer album everyday on repeat mode. Can't wait for your new Ep next year. Amazing tutorial. Sending good vibes from India 🇮🇳😊🙏

[@fiko_music]

thanks man, def gonna do an EP or probably an album next year : P

[@xtrongmusic]

Lol I've been "Waiting For You" to post this😁

[@fiko_music]

hahahahhahha that's a good one xD

[@xtrongmusic]

@@fiko_music it's amazing to get a reply from the Legendary FIKO😂🔥🔥 If I ever get better at making music I want it to sound exactly like yours 💯

[@xtrongmusic]

@@fiko_music anyway I couldn't not take the opportunity lmao 🤣🤣 I play that song on repeat each time it reaches my playlist

[@prodbysteve8783]

This helped alot!!!! Thank you!!!

[@musicbyatrov]

Man i love your videos so much, this one in particularly was soo helpful! Keep it up man 💪🏼

[@abhishesh1632]

Just Amazing

[@mattbukovski92]

Would be cool if you volume matched the before-after of each effect! Just a small suggestion to really show what each effect is doing besides just adding volume 😄

[@thetylersherman]

Definitely could be helpful for compression, EQ, and saturation settings, but there is a threshold in mastering where this becomes impossible without crossing the 0db threshold and clipping. Once you hit that threshold you're purely relying on your ears for maximizing the sound without adding too much distortion since you don't have an A/B to compare it to. Pretty cool actually; you're pushing your mix to its limits at that point. Check out the Baphometrix "Clip to Zero" / CTZ method if you're interested in learning how to push those limits even further.

[@hernanrivaroli5703]

Flavor! Nice.

[@ephjaymusic]

Thank you for showing this process. Please can you do a level matched comparison next time so we can hear the tonal differences more clearly? Thanks!!!

[@prxda2059]

Your explanation is super simple and easy to understand man! And my man Fiko we need a mixing tutorial fr

[@Error-yd8of]

in the second example, the music sounds louder, but it is thin, the hits and the worker are not so voluminous. In the example before, the sound is warm. I noticed that plug-ins like Saturn, Q3 work poorly on the master, they make the sound thin, iron, and after them even adding harmonics with different saturators does not work. Try the following chain: 1. bx SSL 4000E or Focusrite; 2. Pulsar Massive; 3. Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor ClassA and u-he Satin. Try it)

[@YusefB]

Brother this is sauceeeee

[@marvinparks8344]

BANG BANG 🫶🏽🫶🏽🫶🏽THANK U 💪🏽

[@jarondaughtry469]

already at 11k when i got here! gud shit!

[@A_yesh]

Thank you for a tutorial bro,it's amazing 🔥

[@alloneprostudio1535]

Nice one. Keep it up bro.

[@drnabs872]

I’ve learned a lot bro thanks a lot and I really liked your track im gonna tcheck it out and support. I’m still trying to find the right way to merge symphonic music and electronic when it comes to mixing but your advices are golden thanks again!!!

[@djliquornation]

Ur my fav prod rn based solely on ur character.

[@pritompritom4064]

Hey man, you are great! Thanks alot for the video. Can you make a video about your mixing processing? 👋🇧🇩

[@fiko_music]

appreciate it a lot my dude, I already have a video about mixing : )

[@dewetloots1709]

Sic man Thanx brohemoth

[@RexLabsproduction]

Very well detailed stuff, really helpful 🤠

[@Spexybeats]

A great and useful video ^^

[@IsiahKendall]

Great video! subbed!

[@janousekofficial7067]

Awesome man!!!!!

[@hannibalcorps6384]

brickwall mastering. i thought loudness wars is over.

[@6moon18]

Fire track bruhh

[@emmanuelmorales3]

graciasss

[@bicrome]

Would be cool if you showcase a couple of free plugins for example, BUSTERse from analog obsession is a very good mastering compressor or coral baxter for an eq

[@bruno.m4243]

very goooddd💥

[@ProdbyBux]

I dont have a fvcking diploma on my wall LMAO bro im subbed

[@avxshk]

Yuh lets master trucks

[@MiisaelRodrigueez]

Congrats on your 5k man, you've been so helpul and inspiring, i have one question tho, how do you export your mastered tracks?

[@fiko_music]

thanks man appreciate it : ) I export it as a wav file. With (WAV bit depth : 24Bit int , Stereo) and (Quality Resampling : 512-point sinc)

[@MiisaelRodrigueez]

@@fiko_music Awesome, thanks again bro