Mastering
explainer · 4 min
What is Audio Mastering?
Everything you need to know about audio mastering: from basic concepts to professional techniques used by industry engineers.
reference · 5 min
Mastering for Spotify: loudness, true peak and what normalization does
Master to Spotify’s recommendation of about -14 LUFS (loudness units relative to full scale) across the track, with reconstructed signal peaks below -1 dBTP (decibels true peak). Loudness normalization, playback adjustment toward a similar level, turns louder masters down and raises quieter ones only as far as their peaks allow.
explainer · 5 min
Peak limiting explained: true peak, ceilings and how not to squash a master
A peak limiter turns down peaks above its ceiling, the output limit you set, so raising the input can increase overall level. Set the ceiling below digital full scale to allow for true peak, the estimated reconstructed waveform peak between samples, and overshoot from lossy encoding.
tutorial · 7 min
Mastering vocal-led acoustic Indian tracks
Aim around minus 14 LUFS, a unit measuring loudness, with true peak, the maximum reconstructed signal level, at or below minus 1 dBTP (decibels true peak). Use gentle processing and preserve dynamic range, the contrast between quiet and loud passages, to keep the voice forward, the drone steady and vocal ornaments expressive.
tutorial · 3 min
Hip-Hop Mastering Guide
Master the art of hip-hop audio mastering with aggressive compression, sub-bass enhancement, and commercial loudness standards that make your tracks stand out on streaming platforms.
comparison · 4 min
Online vs Studio Mastering
Complete comparison of online AI mastering vs traditional studio mastering. Understand the costs, quality, speed, and creative control of each approach.
explainer · 3 min
Mastering Chain Explained
Understand the complete mastering signal chain from input to output. Learn the optimal processing order, plugin choices, and parameter settings used by professional engineers.
explainer · 5 min
LUFS explained: how loudness is measured and what to master to
LUFS, or loudness units relative to full scale, measures perceived loudness over time using frequency weighting and averaged signal power. For Spotify, aim for about -14 LUFS integrated (whole-track loudness), with true peak (estimated reconstructed waveform peaks) below -1 dBTP (decibels true peak).
explainer · 1 min
What is Stem Mastering?
Standard mastering works on one file. Stem mastering works on groups. Discover why this middle-ground approach offers the ultimate sonic control.
comparison · 1 min
Top 5 Free Mastering Tools
Quality mastering shouldn't cost a fortune. We tested the most popular free online mastering services and VSTs to help you choose the best one for your music.