The audio post-production format that will prepare your music for physical or digital distribution, mastering is the final step towards completing tracks. We caught up with Bristol-based specialists at Optimum Mastering, who have kindly put together a few pointers before sending off the final mix.

1

Ensure you’re happy with the mix down. Mastering results will be best from a mix that you’re genuinely pleased with. Mastering traditionally consists of “broad strokes”, so any problematic elements are always best dealt with at the mixing stage.

2

Talk to your engineer. At Optimum we offer a free mix assessment service, as well as our Sunday sessions for dropping into the studio to listen over your mix and get advice from an engineer.

3

Give your mastering engineer some headroom! Aim to leave at least 3-6dB headroom to make sure your engineer has room for manoeuvre at the mastering stage.

4

Think about any references or mastering notes. It’s always helpful to give an indication of your expectations and ideas to get a result you can be pleased with.

5

Remove any limiting from the mixes. If you like to mix into a limiter, then please supply both the limited and non-limited audio, so the engineer can hear what you’ve been working with.

Thanks again to Optimum Mastering for providing insight – be sure to reach out to them for any future mastering requirements!