Master Your Music in 4 Simple Steps (2020)

Hi I'm Michael Wynne. I'm a Scottish audio engineer and founder of In The Mix. In this video, I show you an approach for clean and transparent audio mastering.
Mastering for Online Streaming can be simple if you have a great mix.
This video will help you master for Spotify, iTunes and other online distribution sites.
Please do check out these notes below for more detail of each step.
0:00 - Welcome
1:05 - Overview of all steps
3:30 - Fades
5:00 - EQ
10:30 - Compression
15:50 - Limiting
1) Final check and adding fades
The MIX must be good for a good master. Mastering is not a quick fix for a bad mix.
I have an aim at all times in the process - even if it's an experimental part, I still know that's what I am doing. At each stage I ask myself "What am I trying to achieve by using this VST?
I also take time to get my head in the right place so that I feel creative and motivated to finish the project - Often overlooked but the most important step in my opinion!
Automate the master fader (this is after the effects chain) to fade the start and end of the song.
Checking - Listen from start to finish without tweaking anything.
Listen for :
Clicks, pops, cut breaths, clipping, bad edits, resonances (especially in the low mids), consonance, overly harsh "sss" in vocals, is everything perfectly in time etc?
2)Adjusting the tonal balance with EQ
This will help it sound good on all systems. Use reference track and compare to professional releases. If you hear that your balance is off you can use subtle EQ or go back to the mix to fix big problems.
I like using the Tonal Balance Control plugin to help me get in the right sort of area but I always set the final levels to taste.
The EQ's I like to use are - Custom Series EQ, TR5 EQual, Eiosis Earth for the high pass.
Highpassing Video - • Why You Need to Highpa...
3) Compression and other exciters
Be careful here - we are not trying to FIX a problem, we are simply looking to give it that extra 1%. This could include saturation (Tape or Tube), Gentle stereo widening, Volume automation (macro dynamics), harmonic excitement and Bus compression.
I would be very cautious if you are new to these effects, it's best to experiment with them but don't feel pressured to commit to them. In time, this practice will help you master these tools and before long you will feel in control and be able to use them to help your mastering.
I demonstrate using the VBC to compress the mix.
Many types of compressors can be used and multi band compressors are often used too.
The aim here is the change the sound stage, "glue" things together and add some warmth. Immediately I was fooled by an increase in volume but after tweaking some dials it started to work. The threshold was adjusted until I could hear some gentle compression (I can't remember what the screen was reading but I try not to look at the screen. I kept a slow attack so that the snare wasn't being crushed, I adjusted the release to make it quicker so that it was more open and didn't feel heavy. Then I adjusted the High Pass Filter to make sure that the Kick and Bass were not being compressed (turned down).
This final step really opened the song back up. Please listen to the compression again and hear how the bass becomes HUGE after I turn the HPF Dial on the right!
The reality is that there are not many "go to settings" that work for all mastering situations. It's important to practise and get comfortable with the tools.
For macro dynamics, you might want to add a dB of gain to the choruses to make them hit harder but again, compare to your reference songs and feel what the master needs.
4)LOUDNESS- well sort of..
Mastering for online streaming makes life easier for us these days, we don't need to slam tracks super loud to be heard!
When exporting, check what the sites are currently asking for, sometimes these details change but most are asking for:
24 bit Wav file
True peak = -1.0 dBTP to -2.0 dBTP
Integrated loudness = At least -14LUFS, some songs sound better lower or higher, respect the mix and push it as far as feels right.
Mastering Loudness Video : • How Loud Should You Ma...
Youlean Loudness Meter: • I Use This Plugin On E...
If you want to release your music after mastering, use my discount link for DistroKid here - The fastest way to get your music onto ALL streaming sites while keeping 100% of your streaming revenue
►Get 7% off DistroKid if you signup through my custom link → distrokid.com/vip/inthemix
Tags :
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[@inthemix]

Overview of all steps - 1:05 Fades - 3:30 EQ - 5:00 Compression - 10:30 Limiting - 15:50

[@ad-fmusiclabel8080]

Thnx for all video helps alot if u think same hit like🙂👏

[@eljeysmusic]

You talked about fade 4.41 into the video. But what if your song already fade/fiter out at the end do I still make a fade at the end or it is alright I didn't do it?

[@inthemix]

@@eljeysmusic it could be okay but I always like to make even the smallest of fades just to be sure!

[@eljeysmusic]

@@inthemix thanks for the answer. I have never used that method with fade because sometimes I think it sounds wird when I make a fade in the beginning, but maybe it is because I over done it. BTW it is nice to get a new view on mastering I have always used ozone8 master assisten and nothing els, so it is nice to know there are so many things to do in the master process.

[@chrisibbetson]

Great video as always. Interesting info on the dithering i only really dither when i need a 16bit file from say a 24bit file. But never stopped to think whether the distribution houses are dithering when they convert into a multitude of bitrates. Although most distribution places i've used still require 16bit so i've dithered down to 16bit from 24bit anyway. Great tune that, still love it even though i've probably heard it like a thousand times! ;-)

[@fatsumo]

I'm sure you get a lot of this, but I love your channel. Friendly, concise tutorials that are easy understand. Thanks for spreading the love, brother

[@inthemix]

Thank you so much, I really appreciate the kind words :)

[@musiclover9064]

I am a music creator just because of @inthemix. He is phenomenal.

[@refakashiki]

the Best channel on KZbin ♥️

[@theoriginalcoolkid]

A good KZbin channel*

[@Arunbbx]

Dam true

[@ReplicateReality]

@@theoriginalcoolkid *a not so cool kid

[@theoriginalcoolkid]

@@ReplicateReality That's why you need tutorials for shit me and my friends do in 10 minutes ngl

[@sebby868]

I've literally watched this video 20x. I WILL GET THE MIX RIGHT EVEN IF IT KILLS ME.

[@RidleySorrey]

did you get it right bro?

[@VectorLP]

@@RidleySorrey i'm wondering as well

[@TachyBunker]

1 year and we still don't know

[@craigcrummett9484]

@@TachyBunker it killed them.

[@TachyBunker]

@@craigcrummett9484 he says he wanna get the mix right. Imagine ME, tryna have tthe perfect mix to sound like Carpenter Brut... really tons of brainstorming, and little to no conclusion -_-

[@vish_az7299]

1:30am and yes I am going to get back on my laptop and finish my recent project because of this video

[@ale9507]

I really do appreciate these kinds of tutorials. It's so difficult to compete with the acclaimed artists' masters on the common streaming platforms in loudness and clarity. This is just one step closer in the right direction.

[@hellio27]

this is great, but have you heard of soundgoodizer?

[@inthemix]

Soundgoodizer is great, but have you heard of OTT?

[@HCXVII]

@@inthemix OTT is great, but have you heard of 78 soundgoodizers on the master slot?

[@Muneer404]

@@HCXVII 78 soundgoodizers sound great, but have your heard of Fruity Blood Overdrive?

[@appltron1827]

Fruity Blood Overdrive is great, but have you heard of Fruity Balance?

[@emmnanuel437]

Appltron fruity balance is great but have you heard of 13 Eqo

[@gloomnglow7195]

Hey there, Mike! Just wanna say I've learned a lot from you and it has essentially made me a better producer with more logical decisions. I don't think a compliment will cut it, but you're an amazingly talented person with lots of reliable knowledge for us rookies out here. Thank you. 🙏

[@BURNINGAFROBEATS]

Whoever you are who can't sleep tonight, is tired or sad, believe that there will be tomorrow that will light up your beautiful days. You just need to endure a little more, a little more, and a little more ... Thank you for being patient, thank you for being able to survive. And as you read this, promise yourself that you will be able to get through your toughest days in the future. Promise to keep smiling, no matter how you are ... You deserve to be happy :)

[@dat1boi800]

Thank you!

[@ankitprasad8792]

I just made a remix and needed some tutorials for mastering my track. Thank you so much.

[@hybrid1804]

IF I FIND IT DIFFICULT TO DO ANYTHING IN FL STUDIO I LOG INTO KZbin AND GO TO MIKE IN THE MIX TUTORIALS, U R A LEGEND, YO EXPLANATIONS R JUST UNIQUE MAN. U R THE BEST AND MANY WOULD AGREE WITH ME ON THAT.

[@j-smack4147]

I'd like to note the free essay in the description breaking everything down. Way above and beyond, thankyou

[@darklouloubeats]

You really timed all the elements of your video... and your description is SO PERFECT MFG, thank you so much Your videos are so cool, really specific, but not annoying at all.. Keep doing what you do, please !

[@V_X_D_I_M]

All your videos are so good, they explain all the topics so well and its so easy to understand the things that would otherwise overwhelm me. Thank you for making such good content.

[@SouthStreet24Media]

The most humble producer on the internet.

[@JoeyGodsey]

Best channel I've come across for solid advice.

[@andyglenny6023]

Just what I needed right now! Thanks, can't wait to dive in. 😊

[@TetoArusu]

Same!

[@ad-fmusiclabel8080]

Yea

[@haidar6280]

The mix engineer did a great job on this mix from the jump. Makes the mastering process far easier. Awesome and priceless tutorial!

[@inthemix]

You're absolutely right, can't get a good master without a great mix! When the mix is right the mastering takes care of itself.

[@BlazzeMusic]

You are doing a great job Michael, I'm producing from last year and I started watching your Videos, and I'm really thankful to you, I learned alot from your Videos, Specially Mastering Part, and I love the way you how simply you explain about a Plugin or a Process. You are giving Master Classes for free. I also watched Paid Production Classes by the Pro but they are not able to Clarify the details, I'm not saying that they are not good in Production, but Knowing Something and explaining it both are different things. Teaching someone and clear their doubts is an Art.... Keep Going bro... Wish you the best.....

[@meezy5671]

In the mix community just might be the greatest community!

[@haystixxbeats9225]

I love you Michael.. started making beats 3 months ago with fl and people love my sound thanks to you

[@inthemix]

They love your sound thanks to YOU! Good job :)

[@RobinSingh-kn9gm]

I have been watching you from last couple of years..... You helped me to achieve my goals.... Thanks mate..

[@Adarkjet]

Excellent content, as usual. Thank you for never pushing your viewers to make unnecessary purchases.

[@simon12332]

I love setting your videos up on my phone, and opening my daw on my computer, and really following you step by step. You are young to be such a great teacher! Thank you :)

[@Enice43]

Yes your right...that slate comppresor is awesome

[@NoriBeatz]

You the man, for real. Best guides on KZbin together with Internet Money. Really showing who makes the big bucks on KZbin.

[@kaboozle]

Awesome video! I’ve watched (too) many of this kind of videos but yours is one of the best. Most important takeaway is to listen with my ears and not my eyes... 👍😎

[@MixingGBP]

Youlean Pro has helped me tremendously. I now have full confidence that my mixes sound consistent from song to song and I am in full control of how much streaming sites will turn my mix down because I know exactly what my integrated loudness is. I do not work for them or get any compensation from them. It's just a great plugin that every engineer should have on the mix bus.

[@MrVividghost]

Clear and concise explanation of how to approach mastering. Really helpful. Thank you.

[@54CFL]

Loving your content mate. Getting into mastering recently and this channel is full of great advice.

[@sleonse]

This is CLEAN. Beautiful.

[@Uranicmusic]

Thank you for this video! I really love you channel because your videos are so minimalistic and straight forward! I also really love your thumbnails! Keep up the awesome work! ♥️🔥👍

[@inthemix]

Thank you!

[@curingd]

Absolute hero. Thank you.

[@PhantasmostheData]

I am at this stage of my first EP production. God sent you to help me ease my brain melting troubles.

[@ThacksGFX]

Legend mate, been learning a lot from your professional tutorials... keep it up, support coming from Australia.

[@TOM-kp6br]

this guy is hero of a lot of artist

[@digital360]

So glad that I discovered your channel! Great resource for me in my mixing/mastering journey.

[@CamillasChoice]

Your videos are incredibly helpful, the channel is awesome, thank you thank you thank you for making this understandable!

[@FORCEGOD]

Although this is the third time you make a mastering video the always help and keep us refreshed☺️So thank u🙂🙏🏼

[@inthemix]

I did make one last year but a few things have changed and it needed a refresh and the second one I made was a detailed video about limiting and loudness. I link that in the description because I don't cover it in this video. Thanks for watching!

[@flownifacientbeatz8731]

Bro I love your channel so Much I appreciate the work and editing that goes into this

[@thomast1257]

You rock dude! Thank you so much for putting this information out there in such a comprehensive and straightforward way! :)

[@ArunaMusic]

Your channel came highly recommended to me by Mick Schultz. I just used all these tips to master a few recent demos and they sound SOOO much better! Thank you so much for putting in the time to make this, will def recommend to my peeps :)

[@lmc48]

This Kid Teaches well.Well done i learned a few things.Your Tutorials are so concise and simple for sure.Keep up the good work.

[@mgmthegrand]

I'm learning more about the skill and art of mastering specifically since I'm trying to up my profile as a sound engineer. As my experience is mainly in mixing and production, I only know the very basics about mastering. In earlier years I used to use Wavelab to arrange my tracklist, create markers and export my full album projects, but I'd send that to a mastering engineer for mastering. Lately I've been messing with Ozone in Cubase to master my singles, which has taught me much and works very well. I recently sat in on a MIXING session with a mastering engineer who mainly deals with hip-hop and uses Waveburner which I believe was packaged last with Logic Pro 9.5. He swears by it. I brought up Wavelab as the mastering DAW that I'm familiar with and also brought up Ozone as a great plugin app for mastering in a DAW. To my surprise he seemed quite inflexible when comparing ANYTHING to Waveburner. Throughout the session there are other practices that I picked up which left me bewildered, like how he didn't gainstage or didn't seem to monitor is levels and how the master was peaking at +0.4... many of the things that I'd learn when studying sound and that I've been learning and reading about more recently about mastering specifically from pros online, were not being followed in this session. I soon found out he was proud to have been "self-taught", as he put it. After the mixing session, I later received the final master. When I listened to it, I thought it might be distorting and was a bit to heavily compressed. I checked it with Izotope's Insight and, among other issues that raised my eyebrows, the true peak maxed at +0.7. This experience left me with a lot of questions. Are my ears deceiving me or does what Insight reflected confirming what I was hearing? Am I being to nerdy about gainstaging and clipping the master bus or are these "rules" that are not as flexible as those applied during the creative and pre-production process? Are the fundamental principles of sound engineering no longer applicable or do we actually need them now more than ever in an era of ever-changing technologies and applications which are now accessible to anyone who can train themselves to be a self-taught professional? Throughout my career the most pervasive idea I've heard, and that I hear more and more now, is that "there are no rules". But as I gain more experience I realise that this is more of a self-fulfilling prophecy by those who don't fully appreciate the complexity of the skills and knowledge required to excel in the discipline of creating, producing, mixing and/or mastering. Add to that the plethora of plugins and the questionable advice from an endless supply of self-proclaimed online gurus promising an ever easier way of getting your mix to sound just as good as the pros or a way of creating and producing music without even needing to know the theory behind it, and you have a situation where people don't feel they really need to learn the basics at all because the technology seems to it all for you anyway. I've rambled quite a bit. I know I likely won't get a response because this is so long and I'm not famous, but I hope I do. I will post a comment with some more specific technical questions, but it would be great to hear what other people think about my rant. Thanks for reading if you got this far.

[@artsandtechnology]

You make one of the best videos on KZbin. Thank's for that ♥️

[@groundhog7871]

That’s incredible. Mastering can double the quality of a track

[@IYBeats]

Thank you for easy tutorial!

[@vikrantsinghsengar3447]

You are the best... word's best channel for producers❤️❤️ big fan... I really appreciate amd you respect you ... you have been so helpful for me... Love from India ❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@tribal8684]

You are a great teacher. I learn so much from every video.👍👍

[@DannySullivanMusic]

This video is just what I needed... thank you!

[@Stacity]

I love all your tracks

[@Stacity]

love that tune. Thank you so much.

[@a-trox7848]

Thank you Thank you Thank you so much, stright to the point, plz keep going on as long as you can. 👏👑👍🎹

[@thebrainchild2884]

GREAT JOB MICHEAL!!

[@SebastianChill]

This is the best channel ever. For coming mastering tips. It will be great you can master a bad mix, so you can really go further, so the concepts will be understood much better. Other than bad 10/10

[@weslaycock466]

Great video man. Specifically that thick with compressing the track but letting that low end still breath with the HPF. Love the "wow" comment as well. Almost as good as Owen Wilson.

[@glick278]

HareKrishna&GodBless❤️🙏

[@MaroonSP]

I really like your vids, you have confirmed a lot for me. Appreciated

[@jdubbz_uk]

Brilliant tutorial. Everything is explained so well and in a way that makes sense. I've watched alot, and i mean alottttt of videos on mastering as I'm very much a novice at this stage. This one has really helped me understand what i need to achieve in order to get a track sounding right for the digital platforms. I use Logic which has a stock loudness meter but I'm inclined to get the free one as it seems to have better features. Especially drag and drop to analyze the end result. Thanks for the brilliant tips & advice 🙌

[@cortical1]

Sending deep appreciation from San Diego! Very helpful--thanks!

[@theogiannmusic]

Always helpful and thorough !

[@Arunbbx]

I really thank you sooo much for making this video ❤️ love u soo much brother

[@anazi]

Why I feel the desire to pay you for these videos. Your very insiprational. Thank you.

[@user-nc9sx9jk6e]

Awesome tricks and techniques. Thanks for sharing!

[@gatherstudio5219]

I have watched many mixing and mastering videos , this is definitely a very good one . I am convinced that mix can be fabulous and the mastering can be flawless but if the recording phase isn't done right then it will be an uphill battle trying to get the song to standup against the big boys .

[@robinjha5658]

Huge thanks to you and your tutorial

[@KVBA]

Very clear explanation, love it!

[@lyanporto]

I love you and this video. Thank you.

[@nevismusicstudio6539]

We learn alot of you.Thank's for everything!Big support from Montenegro!

[@lens8933]

wonderful tutorial ! thanks !

[@jasonsimmons671]

A true pro brother 💪🏿💯 thank you

[@marcelzielonka1234]

Love u , still i dont understand everything in my first view , i still learned a lot and hope im getting nearly as good as u in maybe 2-3 years :) Watched nearly every tutorial u made and learned so much , one of the best channel out there to have some good technical tutorial about techniques :D Im german btw , so its not as easy to understand everything

[@jfoldger1184]

Mixing engineer: how much low end should we cut on that lead? Artist: Yes Mastering engineer: ...

[@maryanne2025]

why

[@matthewkropilnicki6472]

I was just wondering about this two days ago, thanks!

[@harryofficial3743]

Thnx bro for making such amazing tutorials

[@Packogualandrisofficial]

Love your tutorials! Thanks for your effort :)

[@hellbenttrent]

The most clean-cut Scot

[@GLRYB2GD]

Phenomenal video.

[@afrobarbie_shop]

Thanks Bro 🧡 . This video really helped me.

[@langsfordmusicltd283]

definitely a big help....Even though I've been happy with the sound of what ive been doing, this has shown me a few things I need to improve. So thinks man! Subbed.

[@jordisonjr1]

Amazing, thank you so mucho for this video.

[@djkymaera]

thanks - great videos. your teaching style is very good.

[@Caelo_music]

Again great video.

[@heavymetalmixer91]

I really liked you mentioned the TDR plugins, they not only have free versions but all of them are made with mastering in mind too. Btw people, for those looking for a free limiter and dither I can give you two options: Kilohearts Limiter and Airwindows Ditherbox (the last one isn't available for Pro Tools). I recommend putting Ditherbox at the end of the plugin chain, and setting it to TPDF 16 (or TPDF 24 if you're gonna export at 24 bits), and when you export the master, deactivate the dither from your DAW.

[@inthemix]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@heavymetalmixer91]

@@inthemix You're welcome ;D

[@stratosphericsymphonica29]

Very good video. I had no Idea you could drop your track onto the Youlean meter and instantly analyze the entire track. very good update with a good teaching method. Two thumbs up!!!

[@zachv2933]

Thanks for this!

[@Exoauraband]

Great work, thanks

[@TheFinalGamerRN]

I love it, this guy is pure ASMR. o_o

[@fredbonnier3883]

Fantastic video! Thank you so much! :)

[@lovesurfbunny]

Another good video about mastering with the Master :)

[@brunodiesel8086]

pretty cool &help full .......really...........merci mon pote

[@sebaev23]

this video is amazing! thank you very much, really help me out :)

[@matcamp2571]

MANO VC É UM ANJO

[@nishadk2001]

You are just amazing!!!😍

[@TearFoX]

Thank you soo much 💜

[@Vexasmite]

Well.... 😅 I needed this... Thanks!

[@ludo3314]

Thank you 🙏🏽♥️

[@panther_-]

Watching this 3 years later and ur a fuckin legend

[@firehot006]

Really informative and well presented!! Thanks!!

[@leadback5232]

Great! Thank you 🙏🏻