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Producer's Guide to DIY Mastering

Producer's Guide to DIY Mastering

Product information "Producer's Guide to DIY Mastering"

Following on from his successful Psytrance course in Logic, Producertech has invited Adam Goodlet back to create this new set of tutorials, this time focusing on the DIY mastering process. The course teaches his 8-step process, with individual lessons that demonstrate each technique with built-in DAW effects, in addition to an ‘ear training’ bonus module that uses 3rd party plugins to master a track in realtime.

Adam Goodlet has been creating music for over 15 years and currently operates the Re:Creation studio facility in the UK, which provides music production, video editing, tuition and his Really Good Mastering online service. With a wealth of experience, and a reputation for creating powerful, wide and warm masters, Adam is well equipped to share his knowledge with the Producertech community.

The course is an in-depth guide to the DIY mastering process. Kicking off with an explanation of what mastering is, Adam then proceeds to break down his mastering process into easy-to-follow steps. The modules cover a variety of essential mastering techniques, from EQing to achieve spectral balance, to multiband dynamic processing to produce a tight low end and crisp highs. At the end of the course, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to create loud, punchy and powerful mastered tracks that will sound massive on any speaker or sound system.

The course is available to stream immediately after purchase and can be watched 24/7/365. Accompanying the videos is an 18-page mastering guide pdf, and both an Ableton Live and Logic Pro X mastering template, using solely the DAWs’ own effects, giving you direct access to Adam’s personal mastering chain for your own usage. For more information, check out the trailer and sample module on the media tab.

skills: Mastering

Producer's Guide to DIY Mastering

Course Contents

Adam gives a brief introduction to the course.

Introduction

This module looks at what the mastering process is, and how to know when a track is ready for mastering.

What is Mastering?

This video looks at file preparation, explaining the considerations that need to be made regarding file format, headroom and rendering.

File Preparation

Adam explains the 8 steps to his mastering process.

The Mastering Process

This lesson explains the importance of carefully listening to a pre-master at a comfortable volume and listening environment

Analysis

In this module, the concept of headroom is explained and its importance in the mastering process is discussed.

Headroom

This video looks at using mid/ side EQing to achieve a desirable stereo spread at certain frequencies.

Stereo Balance Pt. 1

In this module, Adam makes further use of precise EQing to balance out the frequency spectrum of the track.

Spectral Balance Pt. 1

This module takes a look at using compression and multiband dynamics processing to ensure that the desired dynamic range for the track is achieved.

Dynamics

In this video, Adam delves deeper into the stereo considerations of mastering, taking a look at how to make a track sound good in both stereo and mono.

Stereo Enhancement

Adam adds some post-dynamic EQ to correct the spectral balance, ensuring that the low end sounds big and warm and the highs aren't too harsh.

Module 11 - Spectral Balance Pt. 2

This module shows the use of limiting to achieve the required output volume, including some tips on using a series of limiters.

Output Volume

This module takes a look at some popular 3rd party mastering plugins from the likes of Slate Digital and FabFilter.

3rd Party Plugins

The course concludes with a look at how to bounce the final master, taking into account file type, bit rate and dithering.

Dithering and Output

This module shows Adam conducting the entire mastering process in Logic Pro X with a variety of 3rd party plugins.

Bonus Mastering Walkthrough

In this second bonus module, Adam briefly guides you through the Logic Pro X mastering template that comes free with the course, featuring only stock plugins.

Bonus Logic Template