Stereo and immersive formats aren’t a hierarchy. They’re different tools, designed for different listening experiences. One isn’t automatically more advanced, more professional, or more artistically valid than the other. The right format is the one that serves the song.
Before I touch an EQ, compressor, limiter, or anything else, I listen.
That might sound obvious, but it’s worth saying out loud — because the first listen tells me more than any meter ever will. In the first 30 seconds, I’m not trying to fix anything. I’m trying to understand what the record is already doing, and what it’s trying to be.
Those first impressions set the foundation for every decision that follows.
For a long time, louder felt like the goal. If your track hit harder than the next one, it grabbed the listener's attention. That mindset made sense when playback systems were inconsistent and volume was a competitive advantage. That’s no longer the world we’re releasing music into.
Today, louder doesn’t mean what it used to. And in many cases, pushing level too far actually works against the music.
What Audio Mastering Can and Can’t Fix. Understanding that distinction is one of the biggest factors in whether a mastering session feels smooth and productive, or frustrating and disappointing. At its core, mastering is about translation, consistency, and intent.
July 11th, 2005 is a date I will always remember. I can hardly believe it was 20 years ago. It was my first day as a full-time mastering engineer. I tell the story often during public speaking engagements responding to the "How did you get your start?" question. It begins in December of 2004 during a mastering session with Kris Kimura for his Shue's Cafe record.
In an age where digital platforms dominate music discovery, many artists overlook a powerful and consistent income stream — licensing music for use in commercial spaces.
Once your Dolby Atmos mix is finalized and mastered, the next crucial step is selecting a distributor that supports immersive audio formats.
Preparing your tracks for mastering is crucial to achieving a professional, polished sound. In this guide, we cover the essential steps to ensure your music is ready for the mastering process, including tips on keeping your mix clean, exporting in the right format, organizing your files, and providing a reference track. Proper preparation not only enhances the final product but also streamlines the workflow with your mastering engineer. Follow these best practices to give your tracks the best chance to shine.
This blog post provides a comprehensive guide to repairing the power supply of the older gray DigiDesign/Focusrite Control 24 control surface for Pro Tools. We focus on the most common issue: power supply failure. This step-by-step guide will walk through the most common issue of capacitor failure and will list all the parts you need for replacement of these parts - hopefully restoring your Control 24 back to working condition. This guide is perfect for DIY enthusiasts looking to extend the life of their Control 24 without professional support or for the studio tech that needs the parts list.
Who doesn't love free plugins? In the ever-evolving landscape of music production, having access to a diverse range of audio plugins is essential for any aspiring musician or producer. Fortunately, you don't need to break the bank to enhance your sound. In this blog post, we'll explore a curated list of free audio plugins that can elevate your music production without costing a dime.