Mastering In 5 Steps • Ableton Live Devices Only (Free Preset)

This video is for ultimate beginners to learn mastering in Ableton Live (I am using Live 11). I will show 5 steps to mastering your tracks using only Live's default devices, and you can even download a free preset to practise with!
MORE LNA:
➢ Continue learning from my online courses: www.lnamusic.com/programs
➢ My Music KZbin Channel: / @lnadoesmusic
➢ My Important Links (Music, Socials, Merch, Patreon): linktr.ee/liina_music
Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:16 1. Tidying Out The Track
03:51 2. Gain Staging
05:40 How I publish music
07:19 3. Creating The Master Chain
16:55 4. Ableton's Mastering FX Presets
19:33 5. AI Plugins That Help With Mastering
➢ Download the Mastering chain for FREE using the code "LNAChain" (or you can also give a voluntary donation 💕) on my website: www.lnamusic.com/product-page...
➢ Get a discount on your first DistroKid subscription: distrokid.com/vip/LNA
➢ Mastering by iZotope: www.pluginboutique.com/meta_p...
➢ HOFA Loudness Meter: hofa-plugins.de/en/plugins/4u/
➢ Listen to the track "Give It Away" I master in the video: distrokid.com/hyperfollow/lna...
➢ Other Videos Part of this Mastering series:
1. Answering Your Most Asked Questions About Mastering: • Mastering Explained: W...
2. Mastering Studio Tour: • Mastering Studio Tour ...
3. Mastering In Ableton Live For Ultimate Beginners: • Mastering In 5 Steps •...
4. Advanced Mastering Chain In Ableton Live: • Master Chain To Save Y...
This video is edited by Iiris Mäki ❤️
MY TOP 10 PLUGINS:
➢ linktr.ee/LNAPlugins
MUSIC GEAR/INSTRUMENTS:
My favourite instrument and music/film making gear recommendations: thmn.to/thocf/1l86mtzj95
Disclosure: Some of the links in this post are "affiliate links." This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive a small commission. It does not change the price in any way, however it enables me making more content without having to do as many sponsored videos. I am not paid or asked to use these links.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Subscribe to be part of the cool gang! Also... Continue learning Ableton Live & Push from my online courses: www.lnamusic.com/programs Get -10% with the code: STARTCREATING10

[@jimbuntinx]

This is nothing less than kick-ass, Liina. Thanks again for your kind generosity all-round.

[@vitomasilotti]

I cannot find the Mastering Audio Effects Rack you describe here, in Ableton 12, LNA. Did they remove it with the current version, or did they just move it? Okay, never mind. It does look like they just moved it. By the way, do you have any video tutorials on bouncing in place? I've seen different things on this on KZbin. Different methods and the like. Ya know, its like something I used to do allot with a Portable Digital Studio. With a DAW like Ableton, I would think some of the advantages would be that it is much less CPU intensive during the mixing process, and then finally during the mastering. Especially, if you intend to use (or experiment with) somewhat CPU intensive 3rd party plugins like Ozone for example. Would you mind, at least sharing your thoughts on the subject? By the way, I think your videos are great. You must have about a million of 'em now!!! Damn. Good stuff. Been a HUGE help. (Looking forward to some more on the Ableton 12 version, if your not totally exhausted by now!) Thanks so much...

[@djterhinator]

I've been afraid of mastering up until now. This made it sound much more approachable, so I'll happily give it a try. Kiitos! 👍

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Yay Terhi!

[@iamwildeofficial]

Wow! Straight to the point and giving many options! As a beginner in this world I understand that there are many many ways of mastering a track, and also that the mixing part is really important, but until I've found this channel, I never saw anyone telling that default Ableton presets were also fine to get a decent result. Time to dive deeper into this channel :)

[@djpapakuma]

Thank you for your video, LNA! It was a great explanation of each step, and you laid it out really nicely! I look forward to trying your approach and watching your other mastering videos! Cheers!

[@JacobLeavenworth]

This is so helpful! Thank you for making this. I learned how to produce music on my own mostly through trial and error, and I assumed that I could do the same with mastering, but I have quickly learned that with mastering it's so easy to get carried away, and suddenly I'm ending up in a place where my tracks are constricted and unpleasant after years of liking how they sounded. This is a great place to start (and a great place for me to learn subtlety for mastering lol) Thanks again!

[@cyberjessmusic]

Thank you soooo much!! I''ve been recording and mixing for so long but never got to the mastering part until now! Your videos are very helpful and your music is excellent! :)

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thank you so much!! :)

[@Sam_Saylor]

absolutley awesome. So well explained, you just demystified something ive been scared of for twenty years since i dropped out of music production at uni.

[@Sa11eT4mp3r3]

Tack! Kiitos! Thanks! Great content, as usual, Liina! And those features you showed for Distrokid were things I had missed!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Kiva kun tykkäsit! ☺️

[@KibatsuMusic]

Thanks so much LNA. Your great videos have helped me out a lot in my latest production. I stepped up my mixing and mastering game thanks to you! 🎸🎵

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Great to hear!

[@timcharleneoloughlin3750]

OMFG!!!! I have spent hours looking for this solution and never would have thought about inputs!! Thank You!!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Glad I could help!

[@HP_2435]

Your videos are always so good and helpful! Thanks for another one, it gives so much reassurance to try these things yourself

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

So good to hear! ☺️

[@sounds-r-foundproductionz2588]

You, Lady, are the absolute best! Thank you so very much.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thanks! ☺️

[@ronnie_cutmore]

thank you for this. really helpful and entertaining. big thumbs up 👍👍👍

[@GABRIELDIEPANDAWAMPE]

Ma'am thank you so much you are the first one who explained it so well thats a game changer for me

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

My pleasure 😊

[@CHONK-Music]

I must be watching this again for the 5th time while trying to master my new track. Such good advice for a quick master.

[@14sounds]

Hi, I watched the first 5 minutes of your video and already got a lot of important tips. The way of presentation, your voice and the whole video is very clear and pleasant (great editing 👍) Absolutely and definitely - subscribed 😊

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thank you so much 🙂

[@DopeDoo]

Congratz for the content, Lana!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thanks ☺️☺️

[@WisdomTGK]

You're the best!!! . Keep Shining Queen

[@DJackson-gs2kv]

I love your tutorials, you rock!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thanks!

[@matsaiAV]

I love your voice and energy! You're a star :)

[@geoffwidmier3714]

Another excellent video. I learned some new things, as always.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Awesome to hear Geoff!

[@elektropopelektropop2748]

Great job ! And many thanks for the free Mastering Chain :-)

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

My pleasuire 😁

[@audiowithinmusic7274]

Great info!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Glad you liked it!

[@ass596-y5b]

Thank you for sharing really helpful

[@nualakeller3164]

Just used this video to master my first track. I'm really chuffed with how well it went! Thank you! 🥳💙

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

yay Nuala!

[@harrisfrankou2368]

@@LNADoesAudioStuff Subbed what is the eq 8 with setting the Q ratio? Never seen version...is it recent upgrade?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

@@harrisfrankou2368 Hi I have video on EQ8 and explain Q in it :)

[@norand022]

Me too! Hurray! I mastered my first track in my life today! Thanx LNA for the video! I created my own mastering chain based on your suggestions with some small changes as to my preference. Installed HOFA plug-in, too. Huge step ahead on my way to becoming a proper mix&mastering guy!

[@creations1775]

LUFS meaning start to end song maintain -14 ya.?? ...i achive -14 lufs but true peak show -5db, how to achive true peak -1db and -14 lufs..??

[@omarelmasry157]

Wow… I love how you made peace between me and mastering 😅.. that was a ghost for me.. and I really loved the part of the mastering racks. They’re already made.. didn’t know about that.. Really A BIG FAT thank you for your informative and simplifying videos ❤

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Glad to hear this!

[@omarelmasry157]

@@LNADoesAudioStuff keep going please 🙏🏼

[@leareiter9807]

I absolutely love this!!!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thanks Lea!

[@djterhinator]

Something useful for my upcoming autumn! 🥰🎶

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

👸🏼

[@greilark]

I love your workflow and all your VODs. When mastering recorded mixes (where all the tracks are pre-mastered for the most part, would you recommend skipping ozone or some of the dynamic compressions that come with it? Since most of that is already taken care of, it is more about bringing the gain up rather than making any impressions on the audio to where the DJ has already made most of these dynamic choices. Thank you for sharing and caring!

[@justjoannec8399]

Thanks so much for this video! I have a whole bunch of songs that I have been trying to mix and master. This video was super helpful getting me to the poing of being able to do them for myself! I got the HOFA plugin and that really helped a lot! I tried using it and it worked well! My only suggestion for making these kinds of videos is to talk slower or at least leave pauses. I had to watch the section on that plugin many times over because it was hard to understand the settings. Maybe also that could be a thing to put below. The settings in a new plugin. Thanks again though!

[@roba1562]

Thank you for your videos, they are very interesting!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

My pleasure! :)

[@meachyofficial]

I love your videos. Thank you for sharing.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Glad you like them!

[@spookymusic]

Oooooof!! What did you just do to me!! Thank you for this, it completed my understanding of Mixing and Mastering.. How I did it: I followed with your steps, except, I did it with my knowledge of M&M (Mixing and Mastering) and trusting my ears.. I ended up doing the cleanest Mixing and Mastering I ever done. All love

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Glad I could help!

[@ApaloXIII]

I really appreciate your job and your advices ! thanks

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thanks! ☺️

[@ApaloXIII]

@@LNADoesAudioStuff just.. if you could speak more slooooooowly pls 😋

[@aquosy7]

Love your music

[@nicolassalo6839]

Thanx for this brilliant video!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@JCDKEYS]

LNA is the best ! 👌🏼

[@Blueblackngold]

Thank you sensei

[@CrimsonSpray]

You're the best. Thank you.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

You're welcome!

[@tylercrookmusic]

You're awesome! Thank you!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

You're welcome!

[@pushermode]

You're amazing. Thank you.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thanks. Glad you like the vid! :D

[@briantrinanda7314]

Thank you 🎉

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

No problem :)

[@d003yloops6]

U rock!

[@alexbreugelmans8448]

Hi Lina, i am wondering how you mix AND master in same session? Do you route into mixbus, leaving the master for ... mastering? And what if you would try different mixed versions? Greetings, love your work ❤

[@gbigbo_zjebeezjeboo]

Excellent ! One question. You're applying the chain to the audio track of the song. Can you also do the mastering on the "mix" (?) directly ? I mean, in the arrangement view, where you have the different tracks making up your song, adding the mastering chain to the master channel and then export to audio ?

[@felippebueno6046]

1:22

[@waix2waix177]

very nice video!!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Glad you liked it!

[@BdB_one]

Hi LNA, great Video! One question i have with reference to the export. I setting the masterfader to 0db and export the ready song without normalising? (set in ableton preferences) Or i set the master fader on -6db and normalise it? Whats better?

[@IronxIx]

This is simple in description but with all the volume automation I've done I find the task of getting each track to only peak within -6 to -12 dB to be daunting. I guess future tracks will have to vary less in their volumes.

[@IronxIx]

I have to say, this is great. I am now going through and getting rid of the volume automation envelopes, bringing down the gain on each sample on a track I'm working on, to eliminate the visible clipping, using vox compression properly, then gain staging properly, then setting levels... And now what I thought was a good-sounding track is sounding 100% better. You taught me a lot today. Thank you Liina!

[@hazmatforhumanity7318]

Hello friend. Love your channel and uts been extremely helpful. Something I have struggled with and can't find a lot of videos about online is how to mix when your entire drum track comes from one audio source. For instance how to mix the stereo input I get from my Circuit tracks when the kick snare and hi hat are all coming from one channel and not separated. This has been difficult for me to sort out.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Have a look at my Gree mixing course on my channel, and especially the EQ episode. I think that might help :) It all works the same waym even if coming from same source

[@hazmatforhumanity7318]

@LNADoesAudioStuff awesome thanks. Will do!!!

[@nadeharry]

Hi LNA, your videos and explanations are so good that I now have a problem. I would like to recommend you, but I don't want my friends to have access to such great tips :-D. Be blessed lady

[@santoshgujar5237]

Nice Liina, 😇, Thank you

[@erwindouwes7043]

Man i love your stuff, why don't you have more subs??

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Thank you and Hah I don’t know 😅

[@meis18mofo77]

Cool tutorial, thanks, but I disagree that the initial mix should be dynamic, especially in loud genres that operate at -7 to -2 LUFS making the track loud in the mix rather then the master is usually the better road to go. Baphometrix has a good video called "loudness is in the mix not the master" on that, it usually gives more dynamic results at the same Loudness.

[@babijii]

nice :)

[@suryamogali78]

Hai hai hai LNA Good morning🌞

[@nick9740]

Heyy , love your content!! Just wanted to ask you - if i use the mastering presets , is it enough just that? Or it’s better to make mastering chain on your own? Or both😁? Ty in advance!

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

It does depend completely what the track needs. If you are not sure what it needs, start with this chain and then start customising it the way you feel is necessary. That should be enough. :)

[@nick9740]

@@LNADoesAudioStuff thank you and for the amazing helpful videos ❤️

[@Scartu]

you saved my money and time

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Yay!

[@musicworldsunsetremix2295]

Hi, I enjoy your video and style. I have a cleaner understand of ; what , I'm looking for in music.

[@GroovefellaMusic]

Medatata 😎

[@daraghodonnell5326]

Hi LNA, Great instructions, I downloaded the .adg (and donated because the class is amazing) I have it my User Library when I click it says "the preset cannot be loaded it is probably broken" Anyway I downloaded the Hofa module so can build the chain from scratch.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

I am sorry to hear! That is to do with Live's updates and different versions.

[@dariolm6965]

Sorry for asking maybe and unrelated question here LNA but you have so much content that it's a bit overwhelming, but from zero to a song like this one: "cross my hearth by fancy cars" which course or roadmap would you recommend? Even which software?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Definitely Ableton and check out my beginners Playlist :)

[@analysan7]

Thank YOU

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

My pleasuire!

[@oguzacar911]

We want video on overlapping phase reversal Liina 😊👍

[@hallocine]

It is a good way to achieve loudness and if the mix is good it will be ok. But, if you send your file to a professional, dawn it makes a HUGE difference in clarity and balance. Mastering is a job.

[@Songwriterbehindthecurtain]

You’re an awesome 😎 KZbin channel.

[@johndavidson8143]

Why -6 dB? Why not closer to 0dB assuming the DAW is floating point?

[@RobBecTraxxx]

I noticed there was no gain reduction on the limiter(s). I thought there was usually about -3 to -6 of gain reduction on most commercial masters. Is there usually none like in this video???

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Depends on the signal ☺️

[@mattcocanna8904]

I'm on ableton 9 and my utility doesn't have the bass mono option! Is there another way of doing it?

[@abigaildelange4443]

Eyy I'm streezy a. Beat maker an. A producer 🔥🔥

[@c-tzemthebeatmaker]

Nice! But I for -10db to 11-db LUFS

[@bettysolace]

❤

[@dylanleroysynth]

Whoops! My comment probably made no sense. It was meant for a different video and then it must have finished and played this next in the queue while I was mid comment. Sorry! Appreciate your tutorials!! 😄

[@huntertheisen9972]

What drives the -6 to -12 dB target for track volume?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Have a look at the rets of this mastering series, especially my interviews with Cicely Balston.

[@Songwriterbehindthecurtain]

The verses, both lyrically and instrumentally, are often the ‘story’ of the song.In some genres (especially in country music), there are real stories that take you on a journey over 2-3 or more verses. In others, it provides a framework for the statement or theme in the chorus. For some, it is a stepping stone before a highlight. The Outro is how the songwriter wants to finish the journey with the listener. It may be a big, final chord that leaves the listener a little breathless, wanting to stand and applaud.

[@kingsdisease8754]

That's a brilliant master chain, thanks, I love your video's

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Happy you liked it!!!

[@DustyJ]

I downloaded your packs, but they won't load into ableton. Not sure what I am doing wrong. Do you have any recommendations for getting these to work?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Hi! That is an update Ableton version issue. Email me to lnamusic.@[e-mail]

[@neoconnor4395]

Whats your take on Ozone?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Good tool to assist, faster workflow and people who struggle with getting aroud mastering. I use it sometimes :)

[@neoconnor4395]

I think so far Ozone and Neutron are my favorite plug-ins.

[@MunsonCustomBeadwork]

How come my vocals don't look like this???? It's a solid line with dots ever 1/4 bar..... sounds are good, but my vocals doesn't look like this on my screen

[@darrenrobinson8317]

do you always master in headphones?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Nope!

[@earnest1620]

Hv not watch this but I love ur lessons #always_on_point 💯😍

[@wandisilemela9867]

🇿🇦🔥🔥🔥

[@impactindependenthighschoo9223]

why did you not start with the utility here? Because adding it later will boost all the effects that's standing before the utility, so........that means you can't add any more effects when it comes to loudness test, you got to go back to everything you added before the utility and adjust that when something goes wrong....where are you going to search for the issue?

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Utility is always the last one in the chain as you will see in the end of the tutorial :)

[@impactindependenthighschoo9223]

@@LNADoesAudioStuff Yea i saw it, thats exactly what im saying......why last....

[@Songwriterbehindthecurtain]

Verse 1 is verse is where it tell the story and give details and also sets the scene in verse one while verse 2 continue the story. Intro attracts the listener aka Intro - from the word “Introduction”, this part comes at the beginning of the song. It is usually an . It also gives the listener a hint of what genre the song is and what expression it may give. An intro, when compared to the plot of a story, is the opening or the “Once upon a time” part of the song. An intro . This type of sequence is often used on energetic songs and genres like rock songs. Usually, an intro takes an eight-count / note interval or a sixteen-count / note interval. Some songs take a thirty-two or more counts for the intro, taking up more than a minute of the whole length of the song.

[@Songwriterbehindthecurtain]

My mistake the verse is where the once upon a time happens.

[@httah]

Is it just I or anyone else who can feel mastering is heading the right path by feeling the resonance bulge between their shoulder and neck region. Almost like when you project to sing wholesomely.

[@MCEXNELSONSIDE]

How much would it cost to send you one of my tracks and then you do a video showing how you would mix and master it? Im doing someyhing wrong thats for sure.. My lyricism and delivery isn't the problem, so atleast i can rule that out... 😅

[@bass0nsight]

Wait i just realized you're Finnish omg xd

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Kyllä! :D

[@neoconnor4395]

"Hey hey hey heeeyyyyyyaaaaaa"

[@TheTonyTitan]

I would say that if mixing tools intimidate a person, then they should get more comfortable with mixing first before trying to master. (Edit) I was intimidated by it until I realized that it is a more subtle and gentle form of mixing, with an end goal of loudness and enhancement.

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

Yess and good place to start mixing (plus same time understand mastering) is my free mixing course on my channel :)

[@Songwriterbehindthecurtain]

Verse 2 you push the story forward.

[@jaderington]

love the red screen NO ! 😅

[@Davidroylee]

Started off good...but then went to KZbin stuff..back and forth

[@florentmagere3782]

I tryed to follow your whole video but your voice... Way to loud !

[@LNADoesAudioStuff]

hah I am not for everyone. :D

[@leetronix]

Hmm 🤔 mastering eh? Ah well...🫣

[@wakinglife7065]

❤