Mastering Start To Finish - Step By Step Mastering Guide

In this video, I turned the camera on while mastering a mix to show you the steps I took to make it loud, clear and ready for release.

My main objectives were to enhance the mix and increase the cohesion of the layers.

0:00 - Intro and Remix Contest
0:45 - Equipment
1:10 - First listen
2:10 - Creating Headroom
5:00 - Compression
8:00 - EQ
10:00 - Controlling Sibilance
11:35 - The Chain
12:30 - Limiting
14:00 - Before and After (Loudness Matched)
15:30 - Before and After (No Loudness Matching)
16:10 - Conclusion

►Gear I am using and more notes:
Interface: Lynx Hilo
Headphones: Beyerdynamic DT 900 PROX
Speakers: PSI A23-M
DAW: FL Studio 20 (all daws can do this, free or paid)
Plugins: You can use any EQ and limiter. I chose the Youlean Loudness meter (free), Acustica Ivory 5, Fabfilter Pro Q3 and Pro L2.

[inthemix]

All the details are over on my Discord server. There are thousands of dollars worth of prizes to be won!

[GeoMusic]

I became a musician almost overnight with your help. I'm learning so much with your help. This channel is godsent.

[SepehrYavari]

Bruh those lamps take the room's vibe to a whole new level and i LOVE it!!

[rhread]

Thank you so much. I’m truly amazed how well you unmasked the recording. I would’ve been too uncomfortable to master such a hot mix. I would probably asked for mix corrections before attempting to master it, But you truly did A great job with just a few simple tools. Kudos

[waynech]

First time got the fl studio demo I looked at it and just thought "so now what? 😕" luckily your beginners tutorial popped up on YouTube. Had fl studio nearly 2 years now and before that I was using mtv music generator on ps2-3. So I was amazed how good this daw actually is. I still have a lot to learn and your videos have been a massive help to me. Thanks for your knowledge and helpful tips for amatures like myself 👍

[wethem.records]

I must say, Thank you for your amazing Tutorials. Some might say they are long or too complex but that's the nieche of a bedroom audio engineer. You make Mastering easy to understand and also on a level where it really is a professional work.

Without you I wouldn't be able to make countless songs on such a level as now.

Thank you from WhoDemBoyZ Slovakia.

[ForTheForsaken]

The pro Q 3 is a thing of beauty. I really love the threshold visibly leaving a line at it's peak so you know where to place it. I also love being able to compare channels to see where the frequencies are clashing

[sirdaveandre]

Might be I said this before : your channel is one of the best ones at music production topics. You're straight to the point and detailed same time. Easy to understand for both new and advanced people. AND : no or very few ( if at all? ) sponsored contents. Which is important to the people when it comes to decisions if they should buy A or B. They want an honest opinion and not "Everything is good" which you see on quite some channels out there.
thx for the good work you put into it !

[jade]

I followed these steps and it helped my track sound so clean. Thank for posting such amazing content. You’re my favorite channel

[anthonymetcalf]

Been a while since I checked out your channel, like over a month. But it seems like you’re going strong and you represent a niche in the YouTube world. Not better or worse than others, but different. Kinda calming.

[aLegndaryGamer]

I've spent the last 8 years of my life making some the deepest darkest songs ever in history and I have to make my own beats to the songs and I wouldn't be able to do it without your help so thanks

[MattFlanc]

Great video! It's amazing to see you genuinely enjoying this process, and the smile when things work out made me smile too

[ventosiouskid]

Literally i was watching his old videos and i swear this one poped out 😮❤️

[sancessounds]

Absolutely love these kind of style videos and walkthroughs. Please don't STOP!

[txcn]

Man this is exactly what I needed for the project I'm working on, bang on timing brother!

[mugencaesar]

Not many channels that are as educational as this one 💯

[trillntrilln]

Been looking at ur other master videos but glad this came out cause I'm mastering my song & it's good to pick n choose ! Thanks for the info

[raffyd]

Big fan of your work and thank you so much for the education, Michael! I just recently joined the server as well. Top notch content as always!

[fdemar]

Great video! I like your technique of explaining a parameter, illustrating it's effect then doing an A/B. Very helpful in understanding the use and application of various tools in the studio. Your adult approach is much appreciated.

[martianhaze]

lol i got a whole solo 12 track project to master on my own, your timing is impeccable🙂