Mastering a song is a crucial part of music production, generally high-quality music. When you listen to a song on any streaming site or app, it has always been mastered. But what is this process, and why is it done? Keep on reading to find out.
What is Song Mastery?
Definition
Song mastery is the final stage in the production process of a song. It involves a series of technical and creative adjustments made to the recording to improve its overall quality.
Purpose
The primary purpose of song mastery is to optimize the sound quality of a recording for its intended distribution format, whether digital or physical. Whether you’re listening on a CD or an app on your phone, the song has been mastered to make it most appropriate for its listening version.
Importance
When you master songs, you ensure that the song is produced and delivered at the highest quality possible and properly enjoyed by its intended audience. It can also be referred to as adding a final layer of polish, improving its sound quality and the listening experience.
Different Song Mastery Techniques
Equalization
Suppose within a song recording. There are many different frequency ranges, and equalizing is an essential component of music production that balances that out, improving the overall tonal balance of the recording.
For example, if a recording lacks bass, the mastering engineer may use equalization to boost the lower frequencies to make the bass more pronounced. On the other hand, if the recording sounds too bright, the mastering engineer may cut the higher frequencies to reduce the harshness.
Compression
Compression, on the other hand, is utilized to even out the different dynamics of a recording. Suppose in a song. There are loud parts and softer parts; compression would lower the louder parts’ volume and increase the softer parts’ volume. It will result in a more equal and controlled sound. Compression can also add warmth and character to a recording, as it reveals the nuances of the instruments and vocals.
However, you must understand a balance. Too much compression can produce a dull or flat sound, while too little compression can make the recording sound unpolished or uneven.
Limiting
As mentioned before, there will be loud and soft parts within songs. Limiting exist to keep the volume of the loud parts within a certain limit. It will ensure that the final product of the song doesn’t seem distorted on different applications once it’s distributed. However, It is essential to use limiting in moderation, as excessive limiting can result in a loss of dynamics and a compressed or squashed sound.
Altogether, this may sound like a lot of work, and it is, and only professionals are recommended to take on this task. But with the evolutions of technology and the development of artificial intelligence, AI mastering is also catching people’s attention.
Benefits of Mastering Songs
Make it Professional
Mastering a song at end production levels is necessary because it allows your song to meet a certain criterion or standard of professionalism. If your song is well-mastered, it will even catch the eye of industry leaders, which is a great deal if you’re looking into music production.
In addition, mastering a song can add value to the music, as it shows that the artist or producer is committed to creating a high-quality product that reflects their dedication to their craft.
Consistency
No one will appreciate a song with poor and inconsistent production quality, which could mean distracting instruments or inconsistent vocals.
Consistency creates a more cohesive and enjoyable listening experience for the listener. Mastering a song can help balance and enhance the levels of each instrument and vocal track, making the song sound more polished and professional.
Improved Playback
Mastering a song optimizes its sound quality for different playback systems and formats, ensuring the music can be enjoyed on various devices without losing its intended sound. For this, the producer must first consider which platforms the song will be played on.
It could be CDs, vinyl, or even digital, such as video streaming apps. For each of these different platforms, the song will be mastered, making it perfect for playing on every single site, maximizing quality.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a newbie or an award-winning music producer, mastery is a crucial step for post-production that you must always incorporate in your recordings. Without it, your songs may not catch much attention because of their poor quality.
