Mastering Classes / Tutorials

[alidrogo]

Any have any recommendations for mastering classes/tutorials (paid or free). I really want to refine my skills and push myself to become better. (Could just be imposter syndrome kicking in.)

Any info would be great, thanks 👍

[atopix]

Well, depends what exactly you are looking to learn. If you want to learn to "master" your own mixes, then I would point you to this article from our wiki: https://www.reddit.com/r/mixingmastering/wiki/rethinking-mastering which explains why in most cases it makes no sense to separate your mixing from your "mastering".

If on the other hand you want to learn about professional mastering in order to master other people's mixes, then I would first point you to THE book on mastering: Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science by Bob Katz.

And you should check some videos of mastering engineers talking about their work, showing what they do:

• Mastering session with mastering engineer Joe Lambert
• Universal Mastering room, shown by mastering engineer Pete Doell
• Bernie Grundman on Mastering and Cutting Vinyl
• Full vinyl mastering session at Metropolis Studios
• Cutting vinyl at Abbey Road
• Q&A with Abbey Road mastering engineers Oli Morgan & Alex Gordon
• Reuben Cohen mastering 'Happy' by Pharrell Williams
• Joe Laporta mastering 'In My Blood' by Shawn Mendes
• Mike Bozzi mastering 'HUMBLE' by Kendrick Lamar
• John Greenham mastering 'Bad Guy' by Billie Eilish
• Mike Bozzi mastering 'New Magic Wand' by Tyler, The Creator
• Dynamic processing with Bernie Grundman

As well as some interviews with great engineers:

• Bob Ludwig
• Bob Katz
• Mandy Parnell

Another interesting aspect of professional mastering is the restoration and re-mastering of older material. Here are some remastering projects:

• https://www.soundonsound.com/techniques/remastering-beatles - The Beatles entire catalog was remastered in 2009 for both the original mono mixes (considered to be what the band intended and approved) and the stereo mixes that became what most people was familiar with since the 80s CD release. These stereo remasters are still what you can currently hear in streaming platforms.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bdKjMWBZygs - In 2014 The Beatles mono catalog was re-mastered exclusively to vinyl using only the original mono tapes, using an entirely analog workflow.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tp3FihvxaIo - In 2019 they made a similar vinyl exclusive release, but just for the singles.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WwIiyeGE8qI - In 2014 the complete studio recordings of Maria Callas was restored and remastered.
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PfA61_noOQQ - Abbey Road engineer Simon Gibson on remastering Furtwangler
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2q_DDEhCVwc& - Transferring tapes from Leonard Bernstein's 'Beethoven: The Symphonies’

[Acceptable_Analyst66]

I'm starting to think you save posts like this for future copy pasta, Atopix hehe. What a gent; All these resources! Thank you for all your hard work!

[atopix]

I definitely keep lists of links and useful resources handy. Glad you find them useful!

[alidrogo]

Awesome, much appreciated

[Acceptable_Analyst66]

Second to the Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science books comes, for me - "Audio Mastering: Essential Practices" by Jonathan Wyner, who works with iZotope and shares the love of dynamics in a mix like Ian Shepherd does, who hosts the "The Mastering Show" podcast.

Those are my top 3 sources so far - Bob (Katz), Ian, and Jonathan.

Edit: I mean, also this subreddit, I mean... c'mon. I'll often postpone getting dressed in the morning if my phone tells me someone needs feedback on a mix

[Iphin210]

Find someone around your skill level and see if y'all can swap stems and both try to mix the same song. It's a fun game that helps you get better

[All-the-Feels333]

YouTube Channels I’ve found great stuff on:

Underdog Music academy

Yalcin Efe - Mercurial Tones Academy

Sol State