The Complete Music Mastering Masterclass from Udemy

Maybe you've heard of mastering, and you know that it is something you should be doing to your tracks, but don't know where to start. Maybe you know the basics, but you don't understand the details. Maybe you know how to master a track by applying certain effects, but you don't understand "why" it works. This class is designed to answer all of those questions and more.

At the core of it, audio mastering has one simple goal: to make your music as loud and clear as possible. We want to be sure your track sounds amazing on Spotify, on your car speakers, on your earbuds, in the studio, and everywhere else.

In this class we are going to go step-by-step through the complete mastering process. Giving you the how and the why of every process along the way.

100% Answer Rate. Every single question posted to this class is answered within 24 hours by the instructor.

This course is "5-Star Certified" by the International Association of Online Music Educators and Institutions (IAOMEI). This course has been independently reviewed by a panel of experts and has received a stellar 5-star rating.

DAWs:In this class, I'll be using Ableton Live, but if you are not a Live user - that is totally ok. I've gone to great lengths to make sure this class is useful to everyone, no matter which audio platform they are working with. So if you are a Logic user, FL Studio user, Cubase user, Bitwig user, Studio One user, Pro Tools user, or anything else - it will all work. You will be able to do all of the techniques that I walk you through in any audio application.

Genre:I'm best known for working with electronic music, but I've designed this course to be as inclusive as possible when it comes to genre. We will talk about mastering techniques for all instruments, sounds, and styles. All genres are welcome here.

Topics Covered:

What is mastering?
Terminology (including downloadable vocabulary list)
Types of mastering
"The loudness wars"
Genre matters
Tools - the DAW
Learning to read an RMS meter
How compressors work
How limiters work
How to trust your ear
The pre-master
Setting up a mastering session
Referencing
Effect chains
"Ringing out" frequencies
Makeup gain
Multiband compression
Dialing in multiple compressors
Upwards compression
Stereo Imaging
Mid/Side EQ
Mid/Side Compression
Harmonic exciters
Rendering and exporting for streaming
Dithering
Mastering your own music (special considerations)
Getting gigs as a mastering engineer
And much, much more.

If you are ready to start making professional sounding tracks, this is the class that will start you on that journey. Get started today.

Dr. Allen is a PhD in music, university music professor, and is a top-rated Udemy instructor - with nearly 100 courses and 350,000 students.

I guarantee that this course is the most thorough music mastering course available ANYWHERE on the market - or your money back (30-day money-back guarantee)

Closed captions have been added to all lessons in this course.

Praise for Courses by Jason Allen:

⇢ "It seems like every little detail is being covered in an extremely simple fashion. The learning process becomes relaxed and allows complex concepts to get absorbed easily. My only regret is not taking this course earlier." - M. Shah

⇢ "Great for everyone without any knowledge so far. I bought all three parts... It's the best investment in leveling up my skills so far.." - Z. Palce

⇢ "Excellent explanations. No more or less than what is needed." - A. Tóth

⇢ "VERY COOL. I've waited for years to see a good video course, now I don't have to wait anymore. Thank You. " - Jeffrey Koury

⇢ "I am learning LOTS. And I really like having the worksheets. " - A. Deichsel

⇢ "The basics explained very clearly - loads of really useful tips. " - J. Pook

⇢ "Jason is really quick and great with questions, always a great resource for an online class. " M. Smith

What's inside

Learning objectives

Audio mastering for fun and profit
Professional mastering techniques in all styles of music
The tools of the professional mastering engineer

Mastering on any audio platform
Making a track go from good to great

Audio mastering for fun and profit
Professional mastering techniques in all styles of music
The tools of the professional mastering engineer
Mastering on any audio platform
Making a track go from good to great

Syllabus

Welcome to Mastering!

Introduction

What is Mastering?

A Note About Terminology

Software and Hardware Recommendations

Types of Mastering

Vocabulary

[Download] List of Terms and Definitions

What is our goal for mastering? Why do we do it, and what is the purpose of a well-mastered track?

To Be Loud and Clear

It's More Than Just Turning Up the Volume

The Loudness Wars

Genre Matters

The Frequency Work

Tools: The DAW

Tools: The Meter

Tools: The Compressor

Tools: The Limiter

Tools: The EQ

Tools: Your Ears

Before we start mastering, there are a few things we should make sure we have.

Setting Up a Mastering Session

The Pre-Master

Inspecting the Waveform

Starting the Track

Ending the Track

A key component of mastering is to use a reference track to make sure we are on... track. har har.

What is a Reference Track?

Finding A Reference Track

We talk a lot about "effect chains" in music production, and we are going to use one for mastering. So let's dive in to what that is.

Mastering Effect Chains

The Basic Mastering Effect Chain Setup

Ok, let's get in to it. We are going to start with doing some frequency work with an EQ.

How an EQ Works

Low End Starting Points

High End Starting Points

"Ringing Out"

Up next, let's start working on our volume with some multi band compression.

How Compression Works

Makeup Gain

Multiband Compression

Setting up Multiband Compression

Dialing in High Frequency Compression

Dialing in Low Frequency Compression

Dialing in Mid Frequency Compression

Upwards Compression

"Ring Out" and Compare

Next, lets be sure we are getting the most volume we can with a limiter.

Using a Second Compressor?

Limiting

RMS Headroom Standards

A/B It!

Looking at our Work

Next let's get a little deeper into some technical stuff and work on our stereo imaging.

The Role of Reverb in Mastering

What is the Stereo Image?

Mid/Side EQ (MS EQ)

Izotope Ozone

Reading a Mid/Side EQ

Cleaning Up the Low End with Mid/Side EQ

Adding Shimmer with Mid/Side EQ

Mid/Side Compression

Mid/Side Compression for Stereo Width

Next let's explore adding some extra "shine" to the track with some sweeteners.

Controlling The Low End (Again)

Harmonic Exciters

Dialing in Harmonic Exciters

Gut Check

Last Tweeks

On to rendering! This is a critical step that we need to get perfect, since it is our last step before this song goes to Spotify and the other streaming platforms.

Rendering Settings

File Type

Dither Options

To Mp3 or Not to Mp3?

File Names

Ok - almost done!

Check Your Work

Save Your Session!

Save Your Effect Chain

In-Session Mastering

Should You Master Your Own Music?

Getting Gigs as a Mastering Engineer

That's all for now! But I have a few more things to leave you with.

What Comes Next?

Thanks for Watching!

Bonus Lecture

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores the concept of 'loudness wars,' which is a relevant topic for producers aiming to achieve competitive loudness levels in their masters

Covers techniques applicable across various DAWs like Ableton Live, Logic, FL Studio, Cubase, Bitwig, Studio One, and Pro Tools, making it accessible to a wide range of users

Includes a downloadable vocabulary list, which is helpful for those new to mastering terminology and provides a quick reference guide

Discusses the use of reference tracks, which is a standard practice in mastering to ensure consistency and quality compared to professional standards

Examines rendering and exporting settings, which are critical for ensuring the final master is optimized for streaming platforms like Spotify

Includes a section on 'Getting gigs as a mastering engineer,' which is useful for learners looking to turn their skills into a profession

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in The Complete Music Mastering Masterclass with these activities:

Review Compression Techniques

Show steps

Reviewing compression techniques will help you better understand the multiband compression and limiting sections of the course.

Show steps

Read articles or watch videos explaining compression principles.
Experiment with different compressor settings on various audio sources.
Analyze the effect of compression on the dynamic range of audio.

Read 'Mixing Secrets for the Small Studio'

Show steps

Understanding mixing principles will improve your ability to identify and address issues during the mastering process.

View Recording Secrets for the Small Studio (Sound... on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book and take notes on key mixing techniques.
Apply the techniques to your own mixes.
Analyze how the mixing process affects the mastering process.

Read 'Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science'

Show steps

Reading this book will provide a deeper understanding of the theory and practice of audio mastering.

View Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science on Amazon

Show steps

Read the book chapter by chapter.
Take notes on key concepts and techniques.
Experiment with the techniques described in the book.

Four other activities

Expand to see all activities and additional details

Show all seven activities

EQ Practice: Frequency Identification

Show steps

Practicing frequency identification will improve your ability to 'ring out' frequencies and make precise EQ adjustments.

Show steps

Use an EQ plugin to sweep through different frequencies.
Try to identify the frequencies of various sounds and instruments.
Practice identifying problematic frequencies in different mixes.

Create a Mastering Cheat Sheet

Show steps

Creating a cheat sheet will help you consolidate your knowledge of mastering terminology, techniques, and tools.

Show steps

Review the course materials and identify key concepts.
Organize the information into a concise and easy-to-read format.
Include definitions, diagrams, and examples.

Master a Song in Different Genres

Show steps

Mastering songs in different genres will help you understand how to apply mastering techniques to various styles of music.

Show steps

Select a song from each of several different genres.
Master each song using the techniques learned in the course.
Compare the results and analyze the differences in mastering approaches.

Create a Mastering Template

Show steps

Creating a mastering template will streamline your workflow and ensure consistency in your mastering process.

Show steps

Set up a mastering session in your DAW.
Create a basic effect chain with your preferred mastering plugins.
Save the session as a template for future use.

Career center

Learners who complete The Complete Music Mastering Masterclass will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Mastering Engineer

A mastering engineer specializes in the final stage of audio production, ensuring tracks sound their best across various playback systems. This course provides learners with a comprehensive understanding of the mastering process, covering essential techniques like using compressors, limiters, equalizers, and stereo imaging tools. The course's focus on practical application and detailed explanations of mastering techniques directly aligns with the skills required for a mastering engineer. The information on rendering and exporting for streaming are crucial to the day-to-day work of this role.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mastering Engineer

Independent Musician

An independent musician manages all aspects of their music career, which may include writing, recording, mixing, and mastering. This course directly addresses the mastering component of music production, which is often one of the most mysterious stages for independent musicians. The course gives a thorough explanation of the how and why of the mastering process. It will help the independent musician master their own work, and to understand the work a mastering engineer does. The information in the course on exporting for streaming is crucial for a musician who wishes to distribute their own music.

See salaries and explore the career path for Independent Musician

Music Producer

A music producer oversees the creative and technical aspects of music production, often involved in mixing and mastering, or at least overseeing those parts of production. This course directly addresses the mastering component of music production. The course covers a range of topics including equalization, compression, and limiting and the course is thorough in explaining both the how and why of each process. A music producer will be able to learn the essential skills necessary to master their own tracks, or to better understand the work of a dedicated mastering engineer.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Producer

Audio Engineer

Audio engineers work with the technical aspects of sound, including recording, mixing, and mastering of audio content. While mastering is a specific skill, an audio engineer will often need to understand the mastering process to ensure quality. This course gives a comprehensive understanding of mastering's role in audio projects. It introduces the tools and techniques needed to enhance a mix, including topics such as compression, limiting, stereo imaging, and rendering. The course helps build a foundation for anyone aspiring to be an audio engineer by providing a deep understanding of mastering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Engineer

Audio Editor

An audio editor works on various forms of media such as audiobooks, podcasts, or videos, refining the sound. While an audio editor generally performs the first stage of improving sound quality, they must understand the next stage of mastering. This course is useful to those who wish to expand their understanding of the tools that they use and how they affect audio. Compression, limiting, stereo imaging, and equalization are some of the topics covered in this course that are relevant to an audio editor's work. This course provides tools and information to polish their work.

See salaries and explore the career path for Audio Editor

Mix Engineer

A mix engineer takes all the individual tracks in a song and combines them into a cohesive mix, as the last step before mastering. This course will provide any mix engineer with a thorough education in the mastering process. The course provides a practical guide to techniques like compression, limiting, and stereo imaging. Additionally, this course gives the mix engineer a greater understanding of how their mixes will be received, as well as how to better prepare their mixes for mastering. Understanding the needs of a mastering engineer helps a mix engineer provide outstanding quality.

See salaries and explore the career path for Mix Engineer

Post Production Audio Specialist

A post production audio specialist works on the sound of a project after it has been recorded, often working with many kinds of media outside of music. The material in this course is applicable to the specific final stages of audio processing. Post production audio specialists would gain familiarity with the tools and techniques of mastering. Knowledge of compression, limiting, equalization, and stereo imaging, as taught in this course, will help a post production audio specialist improve the quality of the audio they work with. This is especially applicable to those who work with media that is streamed.

See salaries and explore the career path for Post Production Audio Specialist

Studio Technician

A studio technician is responsible for maintaining and operating the technical equipment in a recording studio. Though not directly involved in the creative processes of mixing and mastering, a studio technician should be very familiar with the tools and techniques used by the engineers they support. This course gives a comprehensive overview of the tools of a mastering engineer, such as compressors, limiters, and equalizers. It also explains the purpose and process of mastering. The course would help a studio technician understand the workflows and needs of the engineers who use the studio.

See salaries and explore the career path for Studio Technician

Game Audio Designer

Game audio designers create the sound effects, music and other audio for video games. This course provides useful information for a game audio designer who understands some audio concepts, but not the mastering process. Understanding the importance of compression, limiting, stereo imaging, and equalization gives the game audio designer the knowledge to improve the quality of their sounds. The course helps game audio designers gain a deeper technical understanding of how sounds are processed and controlled through the final stage of mastering.

See salaries and explore the career path for Game Audio Designer

Sound Designer

Sound designers create or modify audio elements for various media such as video games, film, or music. This course might be helpful as it provides insight into the mastering process, enabling sound designers to enhance the quality and impact of their sound elements. By learning about techniques such as equalization, compression, and limiting, a sound designer can ensure their creations sound their best across various platforms. The course's focus on the technical aspects of audio, particularly the final steps of mastering, helps sound designers refine their skills.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sound Designer

Content Creator

Content creators produce a variety of digital content on many platforms. This course could be useful for those who create content that includes music, for example, podcasts and video essays. The course provides them with the technical knowledge of mastering that will help their content sound more professional. They will learn about the tools and techniques for mastering audio, such as compression, limiting and equalization. The final polish given to audio through the mastering process will help their content grab and retain listeners.

See salaries and explore the career path for Content Creator

A disc jockey, or DJ, mixes and curates music for live and recorded performances. This course may be useful as it provides an understanding of how mastering affects the finished sound of music. The course will give the DJ an understanding of the technical details of mastered audio, which can allow them to make better use of the tracks they play. The course content will also help a DJ understand the processes that goes on behind the scenes, and give them more authority in their field. This course may give a DJ information to improve their sound.

See salaries and explore the career path for DJ

Acoustic Consultant

Acoustic consultants work to ensure the clarity and quality of sound in specific spaces, from concert halls to recording studios. This course, while not directly about room acoustics, may be helpful as it helps the consultant understand the technical elements of audio and how they can be optimized through mastering. An acoustic consultant who has an understanding of mastering techniques will be better positioned to suggest room and space modifications that will sound best through the mastering chain. This knowledge of the mastering process helps an acoustic consultant improve their overall ability to advise clients.

See salaries and explore the career path for Acoustic Consultant

Music Educator

Music educators teach music theory, history, or performance at various levels, from elementary school to university. This course is for those interested in the technical aspects of music production, especially mastering. A music educator who has experience with mastering would be better equipped to teach students about the real world practices of being a musician. The course offers practical skills that can be incorporated into a lesson plan, and the knowledge could inform a music educator's own work. Additionally, the bonus lecture mentioned in the syllabus, 'Getting Gigs as a Mastering Engineer', may help educators prepare students for a career.

See salaries and explore the career path for Music Educator

Live Sound Engineer

A live sound engineer manages and operates the audio equipment for live performances. While mastering is primarily a studio process, this course may be useful for a live sound engineer. The course provides an understanding of techniques and tools to shape audio. Knowing how compression, limiting, and equalization affect the sound of audio will help a live sound engineer better understand the entire scope of audio production. This course may help a live sound engineer make better decisions while mixing live audio.

See salaries and explore the career path for Live Sound Engineer

The Complete Music Mastering Masterclass

What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

Good to know

Save this course

Activities

Career center

Reading list

Share

Similar courses