What Is Audio Mastering?

What Is Audio Mastering?

Share this post

1. Introduction: What is Audio Mastering?

Audio mastering is the final step in the music production process, where a track or album is polished to perfection and prepared for distribution. It’s often described as the “Final Shine” that holds a song together, ensuring that the music sounds cohesive, clear, and professional, regardless of where it’s played—whether on headphones, in a car, or through large speakers at a concert.

Unlike mixing, which focuses on blending individual elements of a track (like vocals, drums, and instruments), mastering enhances the final mix as a whole. This involves fine-tuning the balance, dynamics, and frequency response, so the music translates consistently across all playback systems.

Table of Contents

Why is Mastering Important?

Mastering bridges the gap between creative artistry and technical precision. Without mastering, even a great mix can sound dull, uneven, or out of place compared to professionally released tracks. Mastering ensures your music is ready to compete in an increasingly crowded market, whether on streaming platforms, CDs, or vinyl.

A Brief History of Mastering

The Analog Era: The Birth of Mastering

What Is Audio Mastering? - pexels pixabay 164853

Mastering as we know it began in the 1950s, when vinyl records were the dominant medium for distributing music. Engineers, often referred to as “cutting engineers,” were tasked with transferring audio recordings onto lacquer discs that would be used to press vinyl records. This process wasn’t just about copying audio—it required skillful adjustments to ensure that the music fit the physical limitations of vinyl, such as avoiding distortion, skipping, or grooves that were too shallow or too deep. Mastering ensured the music maintained its quality through these physical constraints.

During this era, mastering was largely a manual process. Engineers relied on analog equipment such as equalizers, compressors, and filters to optimize the sound for playback. Their expertise was critical in tailoring each recording to match the capabilities of turntables and speakers of the time. Because vinyl records had a limited dynamic range, mastering engineers had to carefully balance the volume and frequency spectrum to avoid overwhelming the playback system.

The analog era also marked the beginning of mastering as a distinct profession within the music industry. Before this time, recording engineers often handled all aspects of the production process. However, as vinyl became the dominant format, the specialized skills required for mastering led to the rise of dedicated mastering engineers, whose meticulous work set the standard for the future of audio production.

The Digital Revolution: The Rise of CD and Digital Formats

What Is Audio Mastering? - pexels mati 4734716

The introduction of CDs in the 1980s revolutionized the way music was produced, distributed, and consumed. Unlike vinyl, CDs offered a wider dynamic range and the ability to reproduce sound with greater clarity and precision. This shift from analog to digital brought about a fundamental change in the mastering process. Engineers began working with Digital Audio Workstations (DAWs) and digital signal processors (DSPs), which allowed for unprecedented control over the audio.

Digital mastering tools made it possible to edit audio at a microscopic level, enabling precise adjustments to frequencies, dynamics, and stereo imaging. This era also saw the rise of the “loudness war,” as CDs allowed for higher volume levels without the physical limitations of vinyl. Mastering engineers were often pushed to maximize loudness to compete in the market, sometimes at the expense of dynamic range and sound quality.

Despite the challenges, the digital revolution democratized music production and opened the door for more innovation. Mastering engineers began using advanced tools like digital equalizers, multi-band compressors, and limiters to achieve highly polished results. This period laid the groundwork for many of the practices and technologies used in modern mastering.

Modern Mastering: The Streaming Age

With the rise of streaming platforms such as Spotify, Apple Music, and Tidal, mastering has evolved to meet new demands. Unlike CDs or vinyl, streaming services use algorithms to normalize the loudness of tracks, ensuring consistent playback volumes across playlists. This has significantly impacted how mastering engineers approach loudness, shifting the focus from sheer volume to clarity, balance, and emotional impact.

Modern mastering also involves preparing tracks for a wide variety of playback systems, from high-end studio monitors to smartphone speakers and earbuds. Engineers use metering tools to adhere to LUFS (Loudness Units Full Scale) standards, which have become critical for maintaining consistency across platforms. They also consider streaming codecs, ensuring the audio sounds great even when compressed into formats like AAC or Ogg Vorbis.

Additionally, the streaming era has emphasized the importance of metadata in mastering. Engineers must ensure tracks are properly tagged with details like artist name, song title, and album information, as this data is crucial for discoverability on digital platforms. This era reflects the culmination of decades of innovation, combining analog warmth with digital precision to meet the diverse needs of today’s listeners.

The DIY Movement

In recent years, advancements in technology have empowered independent musicians with affordable mastering tools and automated software. Platforms like LANDR and iZotope’s Ozone allow artists to master their music with minimal technical knowledge, providing presets and AI-driven features that emulate professional results. These tools have made it easier than ever for artists on a budget to prepare their tracks for release.

However, the DIY approach comes with limitations. Automated tools lack the nuanced judgment and creative decisions that experienced mastering engineers bring to the process. While DIY mastering can be sufficient for some projects, it often falls short when it comes to achieving the polished, radio-ready sound that professional engineers deliver. This has led to a growing appreciation for the human touch in mastering.

The rise of DIY mastering has also sparked debates within the industry about the value of professional services versus automated solutions. While technology continues to improve, the role of a skilled mastering engineer remains vital for artists seeking to stand out in an increasingly competitive market. The DIY movement has expanded access to mastering, but it has also underscored the unique expertise that professionals bring to the table.

2. The Basics of Mastering

Audio mastering is both a technical process and an art form, requiring a balance of precision and creativity. It serves as the final step in the production chain, where the finished mix is polished and optimized to ensure it translates well across all playback systems. At its core, mastering focuses on achieving consistency, clarity, and readiness for distribution.

Key Goals of Mastering

1. Consistency Across Tracks

One of the primary goals of mastering is to ensure that an album or playlist sounds cohesive. Without mastering, tracks within the same project may vary in volume, tone, or dynamic range, leading to an uneven listening experience. Mastering ensures that transitions between songs feel natural and that each track fits seamlessly into the larger project.

2. Clarity and Balance

Mastering enhances the overall sonic quality of a mix by refining its tonal balance and dynamic range. Engineers use tools like equalizers to smooth out harsh frequencies or boost areas that lack presence, while compressors and limiters control peaks and ensure the track remains clear and punchy.

3. Playback Optimization

A mastered track should sound great on any system, whether it’s a high-end speaker setup, car stereo, or earbuds. Mastering engineers tailor the sound to translate well across all playback environments, ensuring that the music retains its impact regardless of where it’s heard.

Core Tools of Mastering

Mastering relies on a specialized set of tools designed to enhance and finalize a mix. While many tools overlap with those used in mixing, their application in mastering is more subtle and precise:

  • Equalizers (EQ): Used to shape the frequency spectrum by enhancing or reducing specific frequency bands.
  • Compressors: Control the dynamic range, ensuring that the track has a balanced loudness without losing its energy.
  • Limiters: Prevent peaks from exceeding a certain level, protecting against distortion and maximizing volume.
  • Stereo Imaging Tools: Adjust the width and placement of sounds within the stereo field for better spatial balance.
  • Dithering: Adds low-level noise to smooth out digital artifacts when reducing bit depth during file conversion.

What Makes Mastering Unique?

Unlike mixing, which focuses on individual elements of a song, mastering treats the track as a whole. This requires a fresh perspective and an objective ear, as mastering engineers work to identify areas of improvement that might have been overlooked during mixing. They also use highly calibrated equipment and acoustically treated rooms to hear every nuance of the sound, allowing them to make precise adjustments.

Mastering is also format-specific. Engineers prepare the track for its intended distribution medium, whether it’s a streaming platform, CD, vinyl, or even cassette. Each medium has its own technical requirements, such as loudness standards for streaming or physical limitations for vinyl, and mastering ensures the track meets these specifications.

3. Why is Mastering Necessary?

Mastering is essential for taking a song from a well-mixed track to a polished, professional-quality piece of music. While mixing lays the groundwork by balancing individual elements, mastering ensures that the entire track or album is cohesive, impactful, and ready for any playback system or distribution format. Here’s why mastering is a non-negotiable step in the production process:

Ensuring Consistency Across Playback Systems

One of the biggest challenges in music production is creating a track that sounds great on any system. Without mastering, a mix that sounds incredible in a studio might lose its impact on headphones, car speakers, or streaming platforms. Mastering engineers use tools like equalizers, limiters, and stereo imaging to optimize the track for playback across diverse environments.

For example, a mastered track will retain its clarity and punch whether it’s being played through high-end monitors in a studio or compressed streaming formats on a smartphone. This adaptability ensures that listeners always experience the music as intended, no matter how or where they’re listening.

Competing in a Crowded Market

In today’s music industry, where millions of songs are released every year, professional-quality mastering can make or break an artist’s success. Mastered tracks stand out by sounding polished, dynamic, and sonically engaging, which helps them hold their own against commercial releases from major artists.

Listeners often compare tracks subconsciously, and an unmastered or poorly mastered song can sound amateurish in comparison to a professionally mastered one. Mastering gives your music the competitive edge it needs to captivate audiences and meet industry standards.

Creating Cohesion in Albums and Playlists

If you’re releasing an album or EP, mastering is crucial for maintaining consistency across tracks. Without mastering, songs may vary in loudness, tonal balance, or overall vibe, creating a disjointed listening experience. Mastering ensures that transitions between tracks feel natural and that the entire project flows seamlessly.

This cohesion is also essential for playlists, where your track might be played alongside songs from other artists. A professionally mastered song will sound consistent and engaging, ensuring it doesn’t stand out for the wrong reasons, like being too quiet or lacking clarity.

Meeting Technical Standards for Distribution

Each distribution platform—whether it’s streaming, vinyl, or CD—has specific technical requirements that must be met. For instance, streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music use loudness normalization to ensure tracks play at consistent levels. Without proper mastering, your track could sound too quiet or overly compressed when played on these platforms.

Vinyl, on the other hand, requires a completely different approach due to the physical limitations of the medium. Mastering engineers tailor tracks to meet these unique requirements, ensuring your music sounds its best regardless of how it’s distributed.

Enhancing Emotional Impact

Beyond the technical aspects, mastering plays a significant role in shaping how a listener experiences a track emotionally. A great mastering engineer can bring out the subtle details and dynamics that elevate a song’s emotional resonance. For example, boosting the warmth of a vocal or adding sparkle to the highs can make a track feel more intimate or exciting.

This emotional refinement can be the difference between a good song and one that deeply connects with listeners. Mastering ensures that every element of your music contributes to the desired emotional impact.

Future-Proofing Your Music

Mastering also helps to future-proof your music by creating high-quality masters that can be adapted to new formats and technologies. For example, as streaming standards evolve or new distribution methods emerge, having a well-mastered source file ensures your music can be easily updated and re-released without compromising quality.

4. Mixing vs. Mastering: What’s the Difference?

Mixing and mastering are two distinct stages in the music production process, each playing a critical role in shaping the final sound of a track. While they share similarities in their use of audio tools, their focus and objectives are entirely different. Understanding the differences between mixing and mastering helps clarify why both are essential for creating professional-quality music.

The Purpose of Mixing

Mixing is the process of combining and balancing individual elements of a song, such as vocals, drums, guitars, bass, and synthesizers. The goal is to ensure that each instrument and sound complements the others, creating a cohesive and engaging track. Mixing involves tasks such as:

  • Balancing Levels: Adjusting the volume of each track so no element overpowers or gets lost in the mix.
  • Panning: Placing sounds within the stereo field to create width and spatial separation.
  • Equalization (EQ): Enhancing or reducing specific frequencies to make each element fit well together.
  • Compression: Controlling dynamics to ensure consistency and punch.
  • Effects Processing: Adding reverb, delay, and other effects to enhance the texture and atmosphere of the track.

The result of mixing is a finalized multi-track session where all elements of the song work harmoniously. However, the mix is not yet ready for distribution—it requires mastering to refine and prepare it for the world.

If you’re new to mixing, check out our guide on What is Audio Mixing? to dive deeper into this foundational stage.

The Purpose Of Mastering

Mastering is the final step in the production process, focusing on the song as a whole rather than its individual elements. The main objectives of mastering are to optimize the track for playback across all systems, create consistency across an album or playlist, and meet the technical requirements for distribution. Mastering involves tasks such as:

  • Equalization: Adjusting the tonal balance of the entire track.
  • Dynamic Range Control: Using compression and limiting to ensure the track has consistent loudness and impact.
  • Stereo Imaging: Refining the spatial balance of the track.
  • Loudness Optimization: Preparing the track to meet loudness standards for streaming platforms, CDs, or vinyl.
  • Dithering: Adding subtle noise to smooth out audio when reducing bit depth.

Mastering transforms a polished mix into a professional-quality track that’s ready for listeners. For a more detailed comparison of these two critical processes, explore our post on What Is the Difference Between Mixing and Mastering?.

Key Differences Between Mixing and Mastering

Focus:

  • Mixing: Works on individual elements of the track, ensuring they fit together.
  • Mastering: Enhances the track as a whole for consistency and impact.

Tools and Techniques:

  • Mixing: Employs a wide variety of tools (EQ, compression, effects) on each track within the session.
  • Mastering: Uses similar tools, but applies them subtly and globally to the final mix.

Output:

  • Mixing: Produces a stereo mixdown (or stems) that requires further refinement.
  • Mastering: Produces the final master, ready for distribution.

Why Both Are Essential

Mixing and mastering complement each other, and skipping either step can compromise the final product. A great mix lays the foundation for mastering, providing clarity and balance that can be further refined. Conversely, a great master can elevate a solid mix, ensuring it resonates with listeners and meets professional standards.

For example, a track with a poorly mixed vocal might sound muddy or distant, no matter how well it’s mastered. Similarly, a perfect mix without mastering might sound uneven or underwhelming on different playback systems. Together, mixing and mastering bring out the full potential of a song.

The Relationship Between Mixing and Mastering Engineers

In professional workflows, mixing and mastering are often handled by different engineers. This separation allows for fresh ears and an objective perspective during mastering. Mixing engineers focus on the creative and technical aspects of individual elements, while mastering engineers ensure the track shines as a unified whole.

If you’re an independent artist working on your own music, it’s helpful to treat mixing and mastering as separate stages, even if you’re handling both yourself. Taking a break between the two can give you the objectivity needed to approach mastering effectively.

Different Approaches, Same Goal

Mixing and mastering are two sides of the same coin, each crucial to producing high-quality music. While mixing creates the foundation by balancing and blending individual elements, mastering takes the final product to the next level by optimizing it for distribution and playback. Together, they ensure your music reaches its full potential and makes the best possible impression on listeners.

5. The Mastering Process: Step-by-Step Guide

Mastering is a meticulous process that transforms a final mix into a polished track ready for distribution. Each step is crucial, combining technical precision with creative decision-making to achieve professional-quality results. Here’s a breakdown of the mastering process, step by step.

Pre-Mastering Preparation

Before diving into mastering, proper preparation ensures the best possible results:

  1. Double-Check Files: Ensure the final mix is in the highest resolution available, typically a 24-bit or 32-bit WAV file with a sample rate of 44.1 kHz or higher. Avoid heavily compressed file formats like MP3, as they lack the detail needed for mastering.
  2. Verify Metadata: Confirm that metadata (artist name, album title, track order, etc.) is accurate and complete. This is especially important for digital distribution, where metadata plays a key role in organization and discoverability.
  3. Optimize Your Workstation: Work in an acoustically treated room with calibrated monitors or high-quality headphones. Proper monitoring ensures you can hear every nuance of the track clearly.
  4. Critical Listening: Listen to the mix several times to identify areas that may need enhancement or correction. Take notes on issues like tonal imbalance, excessive dynamics, or problematic frequencies.

Step 1: Shaping the Sound

The first step in mastering is to establish the track’s overall aesthetic and sound. This involves refining the tonal balance, dynamics, and stereo field to enhance the music’s emotional and technical impact. Utilizing some of the following tools:

  • Equalization (EQ): Adjust the frequency spectrum to enhance clarity and balance. For instance, cutting harsh high frequencies can reduce listener fatigue, while boosting the low end can add warmth and power.
  • Compression:Apply light compression to control dynamic range, ensuring the track feels cohesive without losing its natural energy.
  • Stereo Imaging: Refine the width and depth of the stereo field, making the track feel spacious without compromising mono compatibility.

Step 2: Ensuring Consistency Across an Album

When working on albums or EPs, mastering ensures that all tracks sound cohesive and flow seamlessly from one to the next. Here are a handful of things to consider when it comes to cohesion across multiple songs:

  • Level Matching: Adjust the volume of each track to ensure consistent loudness across the project.
  • Tonal Balance: Use EQ and other tools to ensure the tracks share a similar tonal character, while still allowing individual songs to retain their unique qualities.
  • Dynamic Consistency: Match the perceived dynamic range between tracks so that quieter songs don’t feel out of place next to louder ones.

Step 3: Finalizing the Master

Once the track or album sounds cohesive and polished, it’s time to finalize the master for distribution.

  • Limiting: Use a limiter to maximize loudness while preventing clipping. Modern masters often aim for competitive loudness, but it’s important to retain dynamics and avoid over-compression.
  • Dithering: Add low-level noise to smooth out audio when reducing the bit depth, such as converting from 32-bit to 24 bit, or 16-bit for CD distribution.
  • File Export: Export the track in the required formats, such as WAV for distribution and MP3 for promotional purposes. Deliver a high-resolution version to future-proof the master for evolving formats.

Step 4: Preparing for Distribution

The final step is preparing the mastered tracks for their intended platforms and mediums.

  • Streaming: Ensure that the track or EP/Album is the correct filetype according to the streaming platform, and make sure that the track(s) are not going over 0 dBFS
  • CDs and Vinyl: For physical media, ensure the track meets specific technical requirements. Vinyl, for example, requires careful handling of bass frequencies to avoid groove distortion. For CDs ensure each track is encoded to WAV at 16 Bit/44.1KHz
  • Metadata and ISRC Codes: Embed metadata and ISRC (International Standard Recording Code) codes into the final files for tracking and copyright purposes.
  • Quality Control: Listen to the final master on multiple systems (studio monitors, headphones, car speakers) to ensure it translates well across all playback environments.

Advanced Considerations

While these steps cover the fundamentals, mastering can involve additional advanced techniques:

  • Automation: Subtle volume or EQ adjustments to enhance dynamics.
  • Harmonic Exciters: Adding harmonic content for warmth and presence.
  • Multiband Compression: Precise control over specific frequency ranges for added clarity.

7. Do You Need Professional Mastering?

Mastering is the final step in music production, and while tools like AI-driven software and affordable plugins have made DIY mastering more accessible, professional mastering remains the gold standard for ensuring your music sounds its best. Whether or not you need professional mastering depends on your goals, resources, and level of expertise. Here’s a guide to help you decide.

The Benefits of Professional Mastering

Professional mastering offers several advantages that are difficult to achieve with DIY tools alone:

  • Expertise and Objectivity: A professional mastering engineer brings years of experience and a fresh, unbiased perspective to your music. They can identify and address issues that you may have missed during mixing, ensuring your track reaches its full potential.
  • Access to High-End Equipment: Professional engineers use state-of-the-art gear and software in acoustically treated studios. This level of precision ensures every detail of your track is polished to perfection.
  • Tailored Results: Unlike automated tools, professional mastering is customized to your music and goals. Engineers consider your genre, artistic vision, and distribution medium, delivering results that match your unique needs.
  • Industry Standards: Professionals ensure your music meets the technical requirements for streaming platforms, physical formats, and licensing. This includes adhering to loudness standards, embedding metadata, and optimizing for codecs.

When DIY Mastering Might Be Enough

For artists on a tight budget or those just starting out, DIY mastering can be a practical solution. Modern software like iZotope’s Ozone or platforms like LANDR offer user-friendly tools that automate much of the process. DIY mastering might be suitable if:

  • You’re releasing demos or non-commercial projects.
  • You have limited resources and can’t afford professional services.
  • You’re comfortable experimenting and learning the basics of mastering yourself.

While DIY tools can produce decent results, they often lack the nuance and customization that come with professional mastering. For critical releases, relying solely on DIY methods can result in music that sounds inconsistent or lacks polish.

When to Choose Professional Mastering

Professional mastering is ideal for projects where quality and impact are top priorities. Consider investing in professional services if:

  • You’re Releasing Commercial Music: If your music will be distributed on streaming platforms, radio, or physical formats, professional mastering ensures it competes with industry standards.
  • You Want a Cohesive Album: For albums or EPs, professional mastering ensures that all tracks flow seamlessly and sound consistent.
  • You Need Genre-Specific Expertise: A skilled mastering engineer understands the nuances of different genres and can tailor their approach to enhance your music’s unique characteristics.
  • You Lack a Treated Listening Environment: Mastering requires precise monitoring, which can only be achieved in a properly treated room. If you don’t have access to one, professional mastering can bridge this gap.
  • You’re Seeking Long-Term Success: Professional mastering is an investment in your career, helping you establish credibility and build a reputation for releasing high-quality music.

Common Misconceptions About Professional Mastering

Many artists hesitate to invest in professional mastering due to common myths. Let’s debunk a few:

  • “I Don’t Need A Master I Just Make My Mix Loud” While a great mix is crucial, mastering adds the final polish that mixing alone can’t achieve.
  • “Mastering is Just Making the Track Louder.” Mastering involves much more than volume adjustments. It enhances tonal balance, dynamics, and spatial clarity, ensuring your track sounds great everywhere.
  • “DIY Tools Are Just as Good as Professional Services.” While DIY tools are convenient, they can’t replicate the expertise, creativity, and precision of a skilled mastering engineer.

How to Choose a Mastering Engineer

If you decide to go the professional route, finding the right mastering engineer is key. Here are a few tips:

  • Listen to Their Portfolio: Review their previous work to ensure they have experience in your genre and deliver the quality you’re seeking.
  • Ask About Their Process: A good mastering engineer will explain their approach and how they’ll tailor it to your project.
  • Consider Communication: Choose someone who’s responsive and willing to collaborate to achieve your vision.

Last But Not Least

Whether you need professional mastering depends on your goals and resources, but for artists seeking high-quality, competitive music, professional mastering is a worthwhile investment. It ensures your tracks meet industry standards, sound their best across all systems, and leave a lasting impression on listeners. If you’re serious about your music, professional mastering is more than just a finishing touch—it’s a vital part of your journey.

8. Get Started: $5 Mastering Demo

For just $5, you’ll receive a professionally mastered version of one of your tracks. This isn’t a cut-rate automated process—it’s a hands-on service designed to showcase the difference mastering can make. Here’s what we’ll deliver:

  • Polished Sound: Your track will be enhanced with adjustments to tonal balance, dynamics, and stereo imaging, ensuring it sounds cohesive and professional.
  • Loudness Optimization: We’ll ensure your track meets loudness standards for streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music, so it stands out in playlists and is ready to compete with the heavy hitters.
  • Feedback on Your Mix: If needed, we’ll provide constructive feedback on your mix, helping you understand how small changes could improve the final master.

This demo is more than just a quick polish—it’s a taste of what professional mastering can do for your music.

Why Try Our $5 Mastering Demo?

  1. Affordable Access to Professional Quality: For less than the price of a coffee, you’ll gain access to professional mastering that can elevate your track and give you a competitive edge.
  2. Experience the Difference: Hear firsthand how mastering enhances clarity, depth, and impact, transforming your track into a release-ready product.
  3. Risk-Free Opportunity: There’s no long-term commitment. The $5 demo is a low-cost way to test our services and decide if professional mastering is right for you.
  4. Tailored to Your Needs: Unlike automated tools, our demo provides a personalized touch, taking into account your artistic vision and the unique characteristics of your track.

How It Works

  1. Submit Your Track: Upload your mix in WAV format with a resolution of at least 24-bit. Include any specific notes or goals for the master, such as preferred loudness or tonal adjustments.
  2. We Work Our Magic: Our mastering engineer will carefully process your track using professional-grade equipment and techniques.
  3. Receive Your Master: Within 48 hours, you’ll receive your professionally mastered track, ready to compare against your original mix.
  4. Decide What’s Next: Love the results? We offer full-service mastering for albums, EPs, and singles, tailored to your needs.

Who Is This Demo For?

The $5 mastering demo is perfect for:

  • Independent Artists: Experience professional mastering without breaking the bank.
  • Producers Testing the Waters: Compare the results of professional mastering against DIY methods.
  • Artists Preparing for a Release: Get a sneak peek at how your music will sound after mastering before committing to a full project.

Take the First Step Toward Better Sound

Great mastering can make all the difference in how your music is perceived. Our $5 demo is an easy, affordable way to take your music to the next level. Submit your track today and discover the impact professional mastering can have on your sound.

You’re Here for Results. We Get Them.

Online Mixing and Mastering | The Twisby Records Team

Most artists hit a wall when it comes to professional grade production. That’s why we exist. We bring the technical expertise and creative edge you need to break through, so your music can reach its full potential.

The name “Twisby” is an acronym that stemmed from a conversation we had before we started our studio. We said “if we’re going to do this we’re going to do this “The Way It Should Be, Yes?”. We’ve been musicians, we’ve seen how engineers just spit out garbage, just for the sake of getting a pay check, leaving artists unfulfilled with their final results. We never liked that practice.

Independent artists have a severe lack of honest feedback and help. You’re doing this all on your own and we’ve been there, that’s why we’re here to help. We offer a different experience to mixing and mastering. Our personal experience, honesty, and expertise will help you craft your sound, and give you actionable advice to help you improve your craft.

Want to see the difference?

Online Mixing and Mastering | The Twisby Records Team

About the Author:

What Are Adlibs?

What Are Adlibs? How And When To Use Them

Ever listened to a song and heard those energetic “Yeah!”, “Skrrt Skrrt!”, or “Let’s go!” in the background? That’s an adlib—a vocal addition that gives music its personality, energy,

Read More »
What Is Audio Mixing?

What Is Audio Mixing?

Understanding the Art and Science of Audio Mixing Audio mixing is the process of combining multiple recorded tracks into a single cohesive piece, ensuring each

Read More »
What Is Audio Mastering?

What Is Audio Mastering?

1. Introduction: What is Audio Mastering? Audio mastering is the final step in the music production process, where a track or album is polished to perfection

Read More »

Twisby Records, LLC may earn commissions from qualifying purchases made through links on this website. We are a participant in several affiliate programs, including the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. This means that we may earn a commission when you click on or make purchases via affiliate links.

Please note that the opinions expressed on our website are our own and not influenced by any potential commissions we may earn. We only promote products and services that we believe in and feel would be valuable to our readers

Finding This Info Helpful?

Sign up to our email list to get updates on new posts, tips, and expert advice delivered to your inbox.