The Problem With Online Mastering Tutorials

The "problem" with mastering tutorials online is that it is very difficult to hear the subtle changes to the audio. Expert mastering tips and techniques are often given without a context and most (great!) tutorials are highly genre dependent. The result - you might not be able to accurately apply the tools and techniques to your own music. My solution to this is a 5 step mastering system that will give you consistent, repeatable results in any genre and using the skills you already have.
My usual long-form content includes many "before and after" audio examples and demonstrations. Learning to listen for these subtle changes takes many examples, lots of time and plenty of practise on your own music. I decided to outline the whole process here instead of wasting time on overly specific audio examples.
Save this video and watch it step by step when you next master your own music.
View this as though you have a friend working with you as you master your own music. You don’t need to watch the whole video and try to remember everything, just take it step by step and you’ll have an amazing master by the end.
0:00 - What's this all about?
1:10 - Step 1 - Error and Phase Check
3:49 - Step 2 - Balance and Tone
8:28 - Step 3 - Loudness Target
10:14 - Step 4 - Dynamic Range Reduction
11:10 - Step 5 - Final Limiting and Dither
13:09 - How To Improve
Notes and Tools Used:
Throughout this video, I use some plugins for the examples. These are only a tiny selection of the possible tools you can use. However, some of the basic tools you need are listed below:
DAW or Audio Editor (They can all do this. Ableton, Pro Tools, FL Studio, Cubase etc)
A dedicated editor such as iZotope RX is useful but not essential.
EQ - Any high-quality EQ with Mid/Side and Left/Right filters. Good options include TDR Slick EQ M, ProQ3 and Ozone Equaliser.
Compressor - A good compressor with as many controls as possible. Ideally controls over knee, peak and RMS release such as the free TDR Kotelnikov. Pro C2is a good premium option etc
Analogue Style EQ - Used for tone shaping, there are hundreds of free and premium options. Ideally with stepped 0.5 or 0.25 dB increments. These make it easier to dial in subtle amounts of processing.
Clipper - A clipper with a “Soft” clipping mode. A free option is Venn clip although it is a little difficult to dial in. A trusted premium option is StandardClip by Sir audio, although I have not used it personally.
Limiter - Ozone Maximiser, Pro L2, Sonnox Oxford Limiter v2, TDR Limiter No6 GE (the new one) are all great options. There are so many to choose from, I prefer a limiter with as many controls as possible.
Transient shaper - A multi-band transient shaper such as BSA Reviver is a great way to bring back some dynamic range and punch to your master.
Loudness Meter - Your limiter might have a built in loudness meter, but I have always trusted the Youlean Loudness Meter 2 (Free or Pro). LUFS are simply a measurement of perceived loudness relative to the dB scale. LUFS are the primary loudness unit used during mastering to asses the average and short term loudness. However, dB True Peak is still used for the absolute loudness ceiling.
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[@peterelfman]

There are enough videos and tutorials out there about about mixing to allow someone to teach themselves that skill. I can't say the same for mastering, though; this is THE single most comprehensive video I've seen on mastering out there. Thank you for taking the time to make this!

[@peterelfman]

@@eroero830 cohm-pree-hen-siv. 1. complete; including all or nearly all elements or aspects of something. "a comprehensive list of sources"

[@Streaky_com]

Not true...

[@teekee83]

Thnx for the video!

[@inthemix]

The "problem" with mastering tutorials online is that it is very difficult to hear the subtle changes to the audio. Expert mastering tips and techniques are often given without a context and most (great!) tutorials are highly genre dependent. The result - you might not be able to accurately apply the tools and techniques to your own music. My solution to this is a 5 step mastering system that will give you consistent, repeatable results in any genre and using the skills you already have. My usual long-form content includes many "before and after" audio examples and demonstrations. Learning to listen for these subtle changes takes many examples, lots of time and plenty of practise on your own music. I decided to outline the whole process here instead of wasting time on overly specific audio examples.

[@AnymMusic]

love it when you hear master engineers say "and it really opens up the sound" whilst you can't hear ANYTHING different from the .1dB they added😅🥲

[@inthemix]

@@AnymMusic This is why I opted to not show lots of before and after demos on KZbin (as I do in my other long-format mixing and mastering videos). I just don't think they are helpful when trying to get actionable advice like this. I hope this guide helps!

[@oldunclemick]

​@@inthemix One of the issues is their listening environment. It really does make a difference. Tweaks that would be +/- 1 dB on 8" two-way speakers sitting behind a computer desk become far more precise and less drastic. There's a difference with headphones too because we don't just hear directly through our ears - the sound waves collected by our sinuses and transmitted internally to our ears affect our understanding of what we're hearing (likely why we can handle volume levels on headphones that would have us backing away from speakers). Until I made the investment, I really didn't understand why there was all the fuss about speakers and rooms - frankly I thought it was gatekeeping. But I had ambitions to be a mastering engineer back then and bought moderately priced audiophile tower speakers (PSBs) and built a room aimed at mastering (no desks or mixers between speakers and ears). Even my wife could easily hear the difference and usually she only cares as long as she can hear the words of the song!

[@dawmix]

As I have gone through steps to master I have found these things to be true too. It is a reality check to do that last step of comparison. Sometimes after all that time and effort you find yourself back at just about the same place and it really teaches you something important. Volume is key. Everyone turns up songs they really like. So, don’t be fooled by gain. This is a profound lesson.

[@danic.3760]

Never thought about the last step, comparing the mix before mastering with the mastered one at the same volume. With mastering all sounds much clear and louder, but sometimes the normal mix have details or freqs that you loved while you was making the song, and they get lost at the mastering, but you don't realize because of the loudness. Very helpful video as always 😊

[@inthemix]

It’s a real eye opener. When I was starting out it really did humble me to hear than many of the benefits were simply increased volume! I now regularly do ABX tests to be sure I’m not biased.

[@caremeprenant]

Back in 2012, I was making my first steps in mastering, for a band of friends: they presented me a test-master they made at a "pro" mastering studio from the area, really satisfied how "good" it was... I made them listen to their track before and after, but setting the test-master at the same average level as the source and their face grew long as it was then obvious that not only the test-master was just louder but their song had lost a lot of punch and brightness in the process. So yes, comparing before and after is essential, and if it doesn't sound better, there might be something to change. 😉

[@quaark]

I’ve been trying to mix and master my own music for about 5 years now. And through this journey I’ve slowly developed more and more mixing skills. And for the past year no matter how much I loved my mix, I hated the final result. Today, thanks to this video my track has been saved. I finally feel for the first time proud enough of something that it’s ready for release to my ears. Might do that soon :) Thank you!

[@KINGVENAROMA]

Never heard anyone touch on mastering like this that can be applied to basically any genre. This one is definitely going in the archives! Thanks for this brother! 👑🙏🏾

[@pullmyfingerish]

Never? I thought everybody did it...

[@KINGVENAROMA]

@pullmyfingerish Yes but clear and easy to understand format. This helped alot.

[@CasioChaosTheory]

Michael, all I can say is that you are an incredible teacher. Though I follow many good mixing and mastering KZbin channels, I have learnt more from your channel by far. Thank you for helping me improve my knowledge and skills in the world of audio recording and mixing 👍

[@inthemix]

I’m happy to have helped!

[@illmedik]

Same here.. ❤

[@Chromic_Friend]

Thanks for coming back and looking forwards to whatever's next bro!

[@Serotoninn]

This is definitely the cleanest and most fleshed out mastering video that I've watched

[@bayoubonus4289]

I have watched many of your videos for years, they are all great. This is the first time I have commented, couldn't resist giving your a serious thumbs up for this one. Very comprehensive explantion of the mastering process.

[@ethai1]

You could do so many "The problem with ____ tutorials" videos. There's so many that just say stuff like "don't use this plugin on your bass/kicks because it's____", and it's so stupid because many beginners won't know that you're becoming a much better engineer if you just study your tools and how they work. Dan Worrall recently released a video about how to test your plugins, and how not to test them that somewhat tackles similar issues, and I feel like you can do something similar in regards to mixing and mastering, you're one of the few audio engineering/music production channels on KZbin that I actually trust.

[@inthemix]

Great idea, without trying to be too negative this would actually help clear up a lot of misconceptions. I know, technically, there are no "wrong" ways to do things in a creative field, but there are certainly wrong interpretations of what plugins and processing actually do!

[@ethai1]

@@inthemix Exactly! that's also another reason. Your videos are so pleasant, zero negativity, you don't yell for clicks but you actually treat your audience as intelligent people.

[@inthemix]

@@ethai1 I just started watching Dans recent video (it's over an hour long so not done yet haha). He brings up so many interesting and funny points!

[@TheSabotaje]

As usual, great work Michael! Going to try it next time

[@Drizzydid]

Million subs live stream / Q&A party incoming??? Congrats Michael honestly what a milestone you deserve it!

[@DJPastaYaY]

Now *this* is the tutorial we need! tysm Also congrats on 1 mil subs :)

[@napalmfugitive]

Thank you so much Michael this is THE best and most comprehensive framework I’ve watched for mastering. You are a one in a million teacher, all of your time and hard work is immensely appreciated by us.

[@narekchannel]

Haven't watched any mixing/mastering related video that's so clear and plain and to the point, in a long time. Good job.

[@goodoldingus1889]

my man coming in clutch with a fantastic video!! appreciate it

[@gisellechacon7081]

That last tip is pure gold! I will definitely be adding this as a final (hopefully) step in my process. I appreciate your channel, thanks!😊

[@lelonzolo1]

Your skills, your way of explaining, the examples you give, your honesty are a continuous inspiration.

[@djaii328]

I'm so glad I bumped into this specific video, it has helped me FINALLY get a grip on the multiple stages of finishing off a track once I'm happy with the writing, recording and arrangement. There is a staggering amount of detail work that goes into it after you're done creating the song you want if you want it to sound the way you intend and this video neatly lays what to think about doing, in what order, and more importantly.... why you do it.

[@keithstead5175]

This is one of the best short concise mastering videos I've seen. Thank you for posting.

[@enoughkgolane273]

Just noticed the channel is on 1m+ subs, congratulations

[@verbherbaceous]

you are AMAZING thank you so much for spreading your knowledge in such an aesthetically pleasing, informative, wonderful, masterful way!!

[@ekisoderqvist]

Definitely very, very useful. Clear and concise. Will be applying these soon enough. Thank you for taking the time to make and share this!

[@migats2160]

One final tip: if you save your pre-master to 32-bit float (or 64-bit like some daws support) format, there will be no digital clipping as you are importing your file to your mastering project. So you don't have to worry if the pre-master is too loud.

[@TheHansen01]

I want to echo the comment that said . This was an amazing tutorial, among your best work to date. Cheers!

[@KDEADS]

Very clear, very concise - always to the point. The best youtube advice regarding mixing and mastering. Thank you.

[@reddiamondsmusic]

Congrats on 1 million Michael! Your videos helped me a lot ♥️

[@acupuncturmusic]

I appreciate how you’re helping people who are learning this through KZbin. the tips and tricks are good but a framework is a game changer. 👏

[@saarin0tsorry]

You are an extremely good teacher! The way you have explained the steps and more importantly the intention behind them is very helpful.

[@Topcatyo.]

I appreciate your explanation of certain things. I've heard the term "glue" a lot and never had a concrete idea of what people were referring to. I also appreciate the visualizations you provided when discussing the differences between things, like with the clips vs. limiters part.

[@soulplugrecords8474]

Been a fan of this content for 3 years now and I've learned a lot from you keep up the good work🔥❤

[@Stormbringer81]

Thanks as always Michael. You've taught me a lot! Also, Vanity compliment incoming- your hair is just fantastic.

[@trv503]

I'll be watching this video again while taking notes. Great job Michael!!!

[@Percevalko]

Learning HOW to learn something is as important as learning the subject itself, so this is a great video.

[@NatanCaetano]

Smoothest explanation and slickest hairstyle on KZbin.

[@producermantra]

Best content as always. Michael, i think you are the most professional mixing and mastering teacher out there on KZbin. Really love your content im watching yoi for 4-5 years now and i have learnt a lot from you. Thanks❤❤

[@seleene4evr]

You're the best man! Thank you so much for making these videos, you're helping out there the community. Also, congrats on 1M subs, u def deserve it

[@santiagomiranda-marion4529]

I love this man with my whole heart. He is a true treasure

[@j-smack4147]

Blown away, what can I say. Thanks for your vids and your integrity

[@williamvanator8921]

It’s awesome how simple he makes music feel for confused and discouraged producers. I watch one video and I’m ready to give it another shot.

[@kidbuu6982]

This is the most clear video about what mastering is about! 💪🏽💪🏽💪🏽

[@Wouterferdinand]

Long time no see, great to see you’ve hit 1 mill subs 🎉 congrats!

[@inthemix]

Thanks! Did you not get notifications for my recent videos?

[@TheRealKangabear]

Wow. Thanks again Michael. I've always felt a bit lost in the mastering process, now I know things to look and listen for.

[@runemidsun]

Great video, i will add that the perception AB plugin for the final step is gold :) Cheers

[@MaikuTachibana]

I have to say this video was super helpful, even compared to previous mastering tutorials, having it all laid out in distinct sections which are clearly labelled by purpose and what kind of plugins you're going to be using! Definitely going to be coming back to this video next time I master a track, thank you so much!

[@cameronthornber5103]

Fantastic Video! So much effort went into each example with the photos being a massive help! Would love to see a similar video, but in the mixing stages, explaining how to nicely balance a mix, preparing it for the mastering stage 🙌 love it

[@sandman8475]

best mastering video ive ever seen, thank you.

[@SaintMichaelOfficial]

This was one of the fi st and few channels I'd subbed to when I first started producing. And hand over heart, I found the material so digestible that when I decided to make the leap into mixing and eventually mastering my own songs, this was one of the first places I'd come to fot an "all in one" tutorial. The other mastering videos on the channel are exemplary, no question; but yes, the lack of an aio mastering video was glaringly absent to some of us 😂. Thank you.

[@ATolerableQuietude]

This was really helpful. For some reason I find mastering to be the hardest part of the creation process.

[@instrumentalmusic68]

Very impressed with your clear instructions on mastering, presented in a cohesive way to understand. I'm now eager to implement the stages of masting into my own music production practice and next mix. Something which has been sadly lacking due to little understanding of terminologies used. Many thanks for that Michael.

[@williamatkins9547]

I have watched hundreds of videos I had I have watched more than I can count you are the best I've ever seen all of all the people you remind me and speak as though our speaking to myself. You're smart about it you're logical and you keep my thing is keep it simple you are very good😊 my name is William

[@audunjohansen]

Love your videos bro. Always well thought out

[@infinitystratos5292]

I watched a lot of tutorials about mastering but it's really hard to collect all information about it at one place. You did a really great job with this video. I will save it for later and rewatch it when i try to improve my mastering skills :) The last tip to compare your final Master with your previous mix at the same volume level makes sense, but is often overlooked by me :). I heard before about this WAVEFORM Asymmetrie from another great youtube Channel "Sage Audio", he also has multiple tipps to mix and master tracks. But now i finally understand it :) Thank you for your efford you put into to make top quality videos about Mixing and Mastering :))

[@abishekvp2184]

This is absolutely nice and easy to learn, Thanks mate

[@Gilliemist]

In the process of mastering songs atm and this answered a lot of questions I had with the compression techniques. As a longtime viewer, in the future my suggestion would just be to further expand on the each of these 5 steps in their own videos - obviously a lot of work, but some more context may help advanced users? Thanks for the videos man, always on point.

[@user-ko7uq9is7l]

I'm a noob to music production but man your tutorials are so incredible and easy to understand. keep it up brother

[@sumudulayan2515]

This is extremely useful! Thank you for this wonderful video! 🙏

[@currentcontentco]

Ive kept coming back to this, holy shit it's so dense with details on mastering in the box thank you bro!

[@setherickson3543]

This is great!!! I would love to see a step-by-step video where you go deeper into each subject and show the tools in detail for each step. I have Ozone 10 Advanced and saw you're using that, but I'm unfamiliar with all the tools because I just started learning to master.

[@GloveBunniesVideos]

Great video! StandardCLIP from SiR Audio is very good, so much controllability over how the audio is clipped. Highly recommended.

[@cyrusnonde4002]

Congrats on 1 million subscribers 🙌

[@inthemix]

Thank you!

[@prodbybarn]

One of my greatest inspiration. Big fan, awesome content

[@sarlockz]

By the way, your hairstyle is very nice, bro. Keep up the good work!

[@Balistix]

bro I was literally getting ready to do my first master and then you drop this 😭 thank you

[@inthemix]

Great timing. Just load this up side-by-side when you get your project done and you will be on the right track! Of course, add in other tips and techniques you want to try too :)

[@LeiB]

Oh man i never thought on doing the last step!! It could really help thanks!!!

[@WUWASOLO]

The man himself🔥 as soon as there's a video I'm here haha! Been waiting and hope your plugin is doing well :)

[@RapperRemedi]

Thank you man! Very helpful and clear explanation! I wrote the steps down and will try it out in mastering 👍🎶

[@norbumusic]

Awesome. This is a really great video. Thanks!

[@JackCabbles]

This was so clear and precise, I like it

[@crimson3510]

This was a very short and yet powerful video! Thank you Michael!!...request please...how to mix vocals while into your mix/song...not on a mastered beat..not many of those on the internet.

[@WatanabeDarko]

Thank you so much, that was so helpful and appreciated!

[@joelzwicky3988]

thank you for making this. this helped me understand so much more

[@Nicklz5555]

Exellent and informative as always mate. Well done with this one ! 😁 Cheers

[@hleet]

super cool advices, thank you 🎉

[@lukekharma8675]

Streaky did a video purported to be like this one but when I watched it it was obviously click bate which was very disappointing. This has been the most practical, straight-to-the-point, relatable, and understandable video I have watched. The quality I would expect from a paid module on the subject. Cheers.

[@drinkinouttacups2665]

His response on the pinned comment was very on brand for him

[@lukekharma8675]

@@drinkinouttacups2665The video didn't provide on the description at the introduction and wasn't much help for me in contrast to this video. The method you used was far too generic and lacking in explanation or examples of practical application. There was no example of techniques that could be applied that would be useful going forward that would advance the mastery of mastering and then at the end there was a push of fully paid advanced courses that were well beyond my budget. Same with the fabfilter free setting video. Pushed me to a site to purchase a complete bundle of presets with mo description or list of what you would get for your 90 quid.

[@MrRarise]

Thank you for the video and for sharing your knowledge. The video was quite helpful and informative to me.

[@diegozavala3801]

Bro I love you, unbelievably helpful

[@Appleloucious]

One Love! Always forward, never ever backward!! ☀️☀️☀️ 💚💛❤️ 🙏🏿🙏🙏🏼

[@byLags]

phenomenal video. thank you. I look forwarx to watching more of your videos and then rewatching them a few times over before and after practice.

[@inthemix]

Thanks! The best way to get the most out of my videos is to watch them as you work. Watch a minute and apply it right away. This way the knowledge will stay with you and you won’t miss anything.

[@byLags]

@@inthemix thank you! I definitely will! Best wishes to you and yours!

[@irpacynot]

Why do you have to be so reasonable. I don't want to watch your videos, but you keep saying things in a reasonable way that make sense. 😃 Good stuff.

[@P.A9165]

excellent explanations , like always. very interesting video. Big THX Michael !

[@yangjiyangji]

As he mentioned, going beyond -8 LUFS needs some critical decisions. If you want heavy bass and big dynamic, then you may achieve -6 in short term, but it is not easy to get -8 integrated.

[@RadOo]

I would aim at like -12 to at most -10 LUFS :D This is how I export audio when sending to someone because otherwise it's just ripping ears off.

[@oio283]

I really loved this video because it explains each technics very clearly.

[@coen1303]

Such a great video, thanks!

[@ndwknss]

Haven't watched this yet but I expect it to be top notch as usual.. looking forward to when I can pick up your plugin too man

[@1loveMusic2003]

great video. Would love to see you doing a full master video if a client allows the song to be used

[@platterjockey]

This tutorial is spot on! You have to give yourself the freedom to experiment. There are a lot of newbies out there who think that you have to follow some sort of routine or series of steps. You said it best: There are no rules! Sometimes, the best solution is to do nothing at all! I deal remastering of vintage music. For loudness, I like to generally shoot for anywhere between 14-11 LUFS, and I constantly A/B my source. I constantly A/B the source and result while maintaining transparency. When the transparency diminishes, I stop and back of just a decibel or two. There is the crowd that says to just turn up the volume know when listening. We;;, there are cases where that doesn't always work, as in some car environments. And, I use monitors, never headphones, except when doing restoration detail.

[@piyushkhanna9554]

THANK YOU SO MUCH IT WAS REALLY HELPFULLL

[@angelocast]

Hi Michael! One more time THANK YOU! I haven't see you for while. I have been learning from you since the beginning of my music production path (WHEN I SERIOUSLY DECIDE TO GO THERE) just few years ago and thanks to your information and way of delivery the information. I am using more Cubase Pro these days, started with FL studio, and what you share here works for ANY DAW! Is hardcore valuable information. Best wishes always! and all music creators around the world, don't worry about AI. Use it and enhance your workflow and creativity. PLAY!

[@lukaszkowalski4160]

What a brilliant video, thank you!

[@GoReallaBeatz]

Wow great stuff. This was very helpful. Some of the stuff you said I do but some I didn't know about. Thanks you for your videos.

[@GlitchmanVGM]

Fantastic video! This is one of the best mastering tutorials I've ever seen! You're a great help to both new and experienced music producers alike! Keep up the amazing work you're doing! 😃

[@inthemix]

Thank you, I tried something very different with this one. I'm glad it's working!

[@shamimmovahhed1316]

Excellent tutorial. Thanks a lot

[@Gaven7r]

Incredible video Michael!!! The 5 step system looks pretty good And personally, I used to had the most problems when dealing with phase and target loudness haha! I might end up checking this video a few more times when the time comes :P

[@BeyondObsessionBand]

fantastic Tutorial for my band... Thank you from germany

[@lealmxprod]

Thank you very much, all the best for you! Saludos desde México

[@aealtae9317]

I'm what I am today thanks to Michael's tutorials. You're always the best man and I'm grateful for the priceless information you keep on sharing with the world. I'm glad to be benefiting from it all the time👍👍👍👍👍

[@mixbygygyondbeat1295]

I learnt a lot thanks a lot. I appreciate this video

[@IdovShai]

Thank you! Great explanation