Is Mastering Your Music Necessary?
The whole process of recording a record, producing, engineering and ultimately releasing it can be daunting to new and established artists in this DIY wilderness. One question I often get from clients is “do I need to master?” That’s understandable given the options available in the new marketplace. For example, there are several online AI-based mastering platforms that are quite inexpensive.
AI Mastering
How do they stack up? My personal opinion is that spending $20 dollars on an unassisted master from an AI robot after spending up to $10k to use the best players, best mixer and producer to dial in every nuance of your song, only to get it crushed and lose all that nuance, seems to me selling yourself and your project short. Having examined most of the online options as well as software and plugs, I have to say there’s no comparison. (Full disclosure: I have consulted for several companies that develop mastering AI).
Part of the reason I started mastering my own mixes for clients was that I got disillusioned by seeing my work trashed by a bad algorithm.
That’s not to say I’m a Luddite or against technology. I often use AI as a starting point when I’m mastering, but the operative term is “starting point.” It’s a starting point because many of the algorithms are geared towards maximum loudness, which often leads to all the beautiful low end and warmth of the mix being sacrificed for maximum volume.
Loudness Wars
MS (or “middle sides”) processing can alter the spatial aspect of the song by enhancing the out-of-phase information which usually represents noise or reverb. By using more out-of-phase information, the mastering engineer can make the stereo wider, make the reverb more intense or present or enhance the noise (distortion) to make the edge “edgier” on the song. Mastering in that sense is as musical and creative as mixing, even though you’re processing a stereo or spatial signal. I think the best mastering is when you can show the producer or mixer or artist another conception of the song.
Streaming Requirements
So…
Given that streaming services have their own thresholds and loudness rules for uploaded music, do you even need to master or should you just upload the mix?
My opinion is that the mastering process is extremely important for at least one reason: you don’t want your mix sounding boring or dull in comparison to other well-produced records in a playlist. The same goes for any other playback medium (DJs, radio, etc.). For your production to be successful, give it the best shot for success. The best mastering engineers bring your song in line with other great sounding records. Don’t short change your hard work!
Examples
Below are a couple examples of recent masters I’ve worked on. All of these are of other mixes not done by me. For my mixes, I tend to “pre master” my productions so there’s less dramatic difference when I master my own stuff. I think what you’ll hear is that not only are the mixes louder, but hopefully they’re more open, less harsh, and more engaging than the bare mixes. I’d love to hear your comments and feedback.