This way the other frequencies go unaffected, but the intended effect can be accomplished. This allows for extra control and flexibility when determining timbre and dynamic range.įor example, if a master has a particularly shrill high end, the frequency range of 4kHz to 12kHz could be compressed using a quick attack, and long release to smooth out the sound. This way the low-end, mid-range, high-end, and anything in between can affected and processed separately from other frequencies. The principals that exist for a compressor, exist for each band that the multi-band compressor divides the signal into. Here’s one titled “How to use your compressor like an EQ.” It details how a compressor can be used to affect the frequency response of a signal Multiband CompressorĪ multi-band compressor is a popular option for mastering, as it allows engineers to separate the signal into multiple bands that can be individually processed. If you’d like to learn more about compressors, check out some of our blogs and videos on the topic.

Within each form of processing, you have different tools like compressors, equalizers, analog emulators, and a multitude of other plugins or analog hardware – more on this later.ĭynamics processing affects the Attack, Decay, Sustain and Release aspects of an instrument’s timbre.īy increasing the release, the compressor will hold onto the signal longer, meaning the envelope of the signal will be affected.Ī quick attack and slow release results in a smooth sound, whereas a long or delayed attack with a quick-release maintains the transients of a sound source. Although temporal processing is typically used more during the mixing process, it does have a unique role in mastering, so we’ll still cover it here. These are dynamics processing, spectral processing, and temporal processing. Similar to mixing, mastering can most simply be broken down into 3 processing categories. We’ll master it for you and send you that sample. If you’d like to hear one of your mixes professionally mastered, and to receive a free mastered sample of it, send it to us here: If you’re considering mastering music, or would simply like to learn more about the process, read on for more information, or check out some of our other blogs on the topic: Mastering is now and has always been, a way to make music sound better.

Mastering music