Mastering Guide: Tutorials & Tips

Mastering is the last creative step before release: the stage that makes a finished mix sound consistent, competitive and ready for streaming, CD or vinyl. This hub gathers our mastering tutorials, from what mastering actually does and how it differs from mixing, to preparing your mix, using limiters and reference masters, and avoiding the most common mistakes.

It’s for artists and producers who want to master their own songs at home, and for anyone deciding whether to hand the job to a mastering engineer. Start with What is the Difference Between Mixing and Mastering, then read the guide to preparing for mastering before you touch a limiter. From there, move on to DIY mastering at home, mastering for Spotify, and the special demands of a vinyl release.

Start here: the best Mastering guides

Rather have a pro handle it? Get your song mastered by Solar Heavy, or browse all tutorials.

All Mastering articles - Page 4