DEFINE AUDIO MASTERING
INPUT
CONTENTS
I/O: INPUT
MIXDOWN
Mix Guidelines
Accepted Formats
UPLOAD
Secure File Uploader
I/O: PROCESS
SAMPLE RATE CONVERSION
PCM Sample Rates
DSD Sample Rates
REPAIR
START/END/FADES
SWEETENING
Equalization
Dynamics Processing
LOUDNESS
Defining Loudness
Master Loudness
Loudness Normalization
EXPORT
Studio Master Formats
Preparing for Digital Delivery
I/O: OUTPUT
MP3/AAC CODEC CHECK
Lossy File Formats
Peak Levels
Test Encode/Decode
REFERENCE FILES
MP3/AAC Reference Files
Metadata
Master Approval
WAV MASTER CREATION
2496 WAV Masters
2444 WAV Masters
1644 WAV Masters
The Digital EP/Album: Metadata
The Digital EP/Album: Assembly
QC
VINYL PRE-MASTER CREATION
Mastering for Vinyl
Assembly
Vinyl Pre-master Format
QC
CD PRE-MASTER CREATION
CD Basics
Subcode Data
Metadata
Assembly
CD Pre-master Format
QC
DELIVERY MASTERS
WAV Masters/Vinyl Pre-masters
CD Pre-master
DIGITAL DISTRIBUTION
I/O: WORDS
I/O TECHNICAL HANDBOOK
AUDIO MASTERING has been described as something of a dark art practiced by enigmatic sonic alchemists. The I/O Technical Handbook aims to dispel some of the mystery with an explanation of both the creative and technical steps involved in audio mastering.
I/O details the audio mastering process at Mindtree Mastering in four comprehensive parts:
INPUT An overview of mix submission including mix guidelines, accepted PCM and DSD formats, and secure file upload.
PROCESS The process of mastering a mix including information on sample rate conversion, audio repair, sweetening, loudness, and streaming.
OUTPUT Detailed information on master and reference file delivery formats and lossy and lossless coding, digital distribution, and secure file download.
WORDS A glossary of technical terms related to audio mastering.
Through knowledge comes good sound.
Chris Adler
Mindtree Mastering
M2docs
Digital Music Delivery Platform Specifications
Format and loudness normalization (LN) specifications (if applicable) for the major digital distribution and streaming platforms.