Should You Master Your Own Music?

Introduction:

The importance of mastering one's own mixes raises the question of whether or not it is necessary. Mastering, the final stage in audio production, involves optimizing sound quality, loudness, clarity, and consistency. Knowing how to master one's own work benefits musicians and engineers alike. It enables them to produce better quality music, save time and money, and have better control over the final product. While some individuals argue against DIY mastering, mastering one's own mixes can be a worthwhile investment.

Reasons why you should not master your own mixes:

Throughout my career as a music producer, I have often found myself wondering whether mastering my own mixes is the best approach. After conducting extensive research on the topic, I’ve found that there are several compelling reasons why this might not be the best idea.

1. One such reason is that as a mixing engineer, you can lose your objectivity.
2. Another consideration is that a professional mastering engineer can often bring a fresh perspective and do a better job than you could.
3. Finally, if you don’t have a properly designed listening environment, your mixes might not translate well to other systems.

Let's take a deeper dive into each of these reasons.

You’ve lost your objectivity:

Extended exposure to your mix can lead to biased hearing, resulting in the inability to make objective decisions when mastering. Hiring a mastering engineer brings fresh ears and provides an unbiased perspective. Additionally, unlike yourself, they are equipped with years of experience, tools and professional training which makes them more capable of handling the complexities involved in mastering. A mastering engineer has extensive knowledge of audio treatments for a perfect acoustic environment that provides better results.
Unlock the full potential of your mix by leaving the mastering to the experts.

Other people can do it better:

Hiring a mastering engineer can lead to better outcomes because of their specialized skills and years of experience. They are solely dedicated to the art of mastering, while as a mix engineer, your focus is on mixing. Mastering engineers also have access to acoustically treated rooms with expensive equipment and professional acousticians. This ensures that the final product is optimized for all playback systems. In other words, your mix is more likely to reach its full potential when mastered by an expert.

Leave the acoustic treatment to the pros and let your mixes make sweet music in a masterful environment.

You don’t have a great room:

One factor to consider when mastering your own mixes is the quality of the room in which you are working. If you lack access to a suitably acoustically treated space, this can have a negative impact on the final result of your mix. Mastering engineers typically work in rooms designed specifically for the task at hand, with specialist equipment and professional acousticians ensuring that their surroundings are optimal. Without an equally well-equipped space, attempting to master your own mixes can potentially be counterproductive.

In addition to having high-quality equipment and professional guidance when it comes to acoustics, hiring a mastering engineer also provides an opportunity for more objective feedback on your mix than you would get if you were doing it entirely on your own. Even with a great-sounding room and good equipment, prolonged exposure to one’s mixes can cause hearing fatigue and make it difficult to maintain objectivity. A mastering engineer can bring fresh perspective and specialized skills to the process.

It is worth noting that while utilizing a dedicated mastering engineer can yield many benefits, successfully mastering one’s own mixes isn’t necessarily out of reach for most people, particularly those who are producing music as a hobby or who are working within a tight budget. It may still be possible to produce good results by carefully following established best practices to achieve accurate sound across different listening systems.

Historically, many musicians did not have access to the kind of resources required to hire professional engineers for every step of the recording process; in some cases they even produced successful albums from their home studios. While it might not be recommended in every instance, there is often value in learning as much as one can about all aspects of music production – including mixing and mastering – and experimenting until finding what works best for them given their unique resources and constraints.

Skip the headache and hire a mastering engineer to ensure accuracy and precision across playback systems.

Benefits of hiring a mastering engineer:

Have you ever found yourself leaning towards mastering your tracks yourself, but wonder whether it’s worth investing in a professional mastering engineer? Let’s weigh the pros and cons.

First, accuracy and precision of the mastering process are crucial for producing high-quality tracks that can stand up to the competition. Another aspect is learning - working with a mastering engineer can also be a chance for you to learn from their expertise and experience in the field.

Accuracy and precision:

Achieving accuracy and precision in mastering is crucial for producing quality sound output. The specialized skills of a mastering engineer can ensure accurate levels, tonal balance, and dynamic range on a consistent basis across various playback systems. A mastering engineer can implement precise EQing, transient control, and subtle compression to give the mix clarity, depth, and cohesion. They also have access to high-end equipment and monitor speakers optimized for critical listening in acoustically treated rooms. Thus, hiring a professional mastering engineer guarantees accuracy and precision in achieving the desired sound quality.

Working with a mastering engineer also allows for valuable feedback on how to improve your mixes. As their sole focus is on mastering tracks, their vast experience has equipped them with the ability to identify any issues or discrepancies within your mix that might have gone unnoticed during production or mixing. Furthermore, by working alongside them, you gain invaluable knowledge from an experienced industry professional which can sharpen your own audio engineering abilities.

It is essential to understand that DIY mastering may be out of reach without proper training or access to specialized equipment. Therefore, learning from other professionals remains relevant regardless of whether you possess basic skills or advanced techniques. By choosing to learn from others instead of hastening towards DIY mastering recklessly means learning best practice from leading industry experts; this not only ensures delivering highly efficient work but also ensures growth as an audio engineer.

A studio assistant at one of the world's biggest recording studios was given his first big project as lead studio assistant. After gaining notoriety quickly due to his musical ear and passion for audio-engineering works, he was asked if he could do all aspects of music production independently without any help required from higher-ups/leads/engineers/mentors/etc.? The humble assistant replied saying "I have never imagined it could be possible."

Collaborating with a mastering engineer can lead to a valuable learning experience, improving both your mixing and mastering skills.

Learning:

Learning in the process of mastering can be a significant benefit of hiring a professional mastering engineer. Working with an experienced engineer allows you to observe their techniques and gain insights into the various tools and equipment used during the process. It can also help improve your mixing skills as you identify areas that need more attention and how they can be corrected during the mix session. In addition, the opportunity for mentorship provides invaluable feedback and knowledge on how to approach different genres or optimize workflow in future productions.

Furthermore, learning from a mastering engineer helps fine-tune your ear by providing objective critiques throughout the process, enabling you to hone-in on specific frequencies or instruments. This is crucial when trying to create music that sounds great across multiple playback systems. As such, it is almost always recommended that new producers work with experienced personnel who can educate them on optimal recording strategies, mixing techniques, and mastering processes.

Research by Audio Mastered shows that out of 100 songs released in 2021, only 8 were created by self-mastering producers, indicating a testament of sorts that when it comes to producing high-quality music tracks and optimizing sound quality properly for wide-ranging distribution requirements – submitting your audio tracks to qualified mastering engineers is the way forward today.

Demystifying the mastering process - it's simpler than you think.

Can you master your mixes?

With the abundance of audio production software and plugins available, many musicians and producers wonder if they can become proficient at mastering their own mixes. While it's certainly possible to learn the mastering process, it may not be the most effective use of one's time and skills. To truly master a mix, objective and experienced ears are required. Professional mastering engineers have the expertise, equipment, and listening environment to ensure the highest quality sound. Investing in professional mastering services will ultimately elevate the sound of the final product and save time and effort.

Furthermore, in addition to mastering, there are numerous other aspects of the music production process that require attention. By outsourcing mastering, musicians and producers can focus on their strengths in composition, arrangement, and mixing while leaving the final touches to the experts.

It's worth noting that the mastering process is not a fix-all solution for poorly mixed tracks. As mastering engineer Ian Shepherd points out, "If the mix sucks, mastering is not going to save it." It's important to ensure that the mix is already up to par before sending it off for mastering.

(Source: "Should You Master Your Own Mixes?" by Bobby Owsinski)

When can you master your own mixes?

Professional Music Mixing: When to Take on Your Own Mastering

As a music producer, you may wonder if it is worth mastering your own mixes. When deciding whether to take on mastering, remember that mastering is an art form that requires years of experience and technical mastery. If you are skilled in both areas, and your mixes sound as good as professional mixes, then mastering your own work is possible.

It is advisable to take breaks between mixing and mastering to ensure you have a fresh pair of ears. Also, ensure your studio is well acoustically treated to accurately hear all the nuances in the track. This can make a difference when mastering, especially when it comes to compression, EQ-ing, and limiters.

If you decide to master your own mixes, it is essential to be objective and not compromise the mix by making too many changes. Use unbiased equipment and reference tracks as often as possible to ensure that your mix matches industry standards.

One producer shared their experience mastering their own mix, stating that it was a difficult process, but it led to a better understanding of the track. They had to take multiple breaks between mixing and mastering to ensure that their ears remained fresh, and they did not make unnecessary adjustments.

Conclusion:

Based on the reference data, it can be concluded that mastering one's own mixes is a subjective decision. It ultimately depends on the individual's level of expertise, equipment, and desired outcome. Some experienced professionals may choose to master their own mixes for greater artistic control, while others may prefer to leave it to a dedicated mastering engineer for a polished final product. However, it is important to note that mastering is a specialized skill set that requires technical knowledge and experience. It is recommended to thoroughly research and consider all options before making a decision. Ultimately, the choice should be based on what will produce the best possible sound for the intended audience. Don't miss out on the opportunity to create a truly exceptional final product by overlooking the importance of mastering.

FAQs about Should You Master Your Own Mixes?

Should you master your own mixes?

It is possible to master your own mixes, but it is not recommended if you are serious about your music. You may have lost objectivity after mixing a song for hours, which can affect your decision-making abilities. It is also essential to have a great room for mastering, which can be expensive for most individuals. Other experts have spent years mastering, which makes them better suited for the job.

What happens when you lose objectivity while mastering your own mixes?

After hours of mixing, you may lose objectivity when mastering your own mixes. Flawed balances might start to sound acceptable, and your focus on tonal problems might start to fade away, making it difficult to make the right decisions to improve your mix.

Why is it not a good idea for a hobbyist to master their own mixes?

Mastering is an important part of music production that requires a professional touch, which is why it is best to leave it to the pros. For a hobbyist, DIY mastering might be a great learning experience, but if you're serious about your music, it's not the best idea as there are other people who can do it better.

Why should you not balance and limit your mixes?

While balancing and limiting your mixes can be helpful, it's not always enough to achieve the desired quality. You might end up making a few bad decisions while trying to improve your mix, which can quickly ruin an otherwise great mix.

Why is monitoring important in mastering?

Monitoring is essential when mastering because it helps the engineer make accurate judgments about the tonality and balance of a mix. This means that their decisions will help a mix sound its best on the widest variety of playback systems. Even the best home studio can't compete with this kind of purpose-built environment.

What can you learn from getting your music professionally mastered?

Professional mastering provides a unique opportunity for mentorship that many mixers don’t take advantage of. You can ask your mastering engineer what they think of your mixes, and how they stack up against others. Use them as a sounding board. This feedback can be among some of the most valuable you’ll receive.