Are you prepared to enroll in this graduate course?
Take the self-assessment quiz to check your readiness for this material.In Advanced Audio/Music Mastering: Theory and Practice, you will develop your analytical and practical skills to be able to tackle the demanding signal processing challenges presented to professional mastering engineers. You will learn theory and techniques to deliver high-quality masters in a variety of genres, for various platforms, including vinyl, lossy codecs, and streaming platforms. You will also learn to analyze audio according to its technical attributes and musical style. You will evaluate audio according to audience and market expectations; then develop and execute strategies to adapt mixed audio to fit those expectations, and learn to output flawless masters for various distribution channels.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Create flawless masters for various distribution channels
- Synthesize mastering strategies to solve signal-processing challenges
- Select techniques to deliver high-quality masters
- Properly analyze audio according to its technical attributes and musical style
- Evaluate audio according to audience and market expectations
- Develop and execute strategies to adapt mixed audio to fit those expectations
Syllabus
Lesson 1: Platform Analysis of Fs, Bits, Level, File Type, and Codec
- The Mastering Studio
- Level: Measurements and Definitions
- Distribution Format Research
- Streaming Distribution Platform Research
- Distribution Format Analysis
- On Mastering: Bob Olhsson
- Assignment 1: Level Roadmap from Mix to Master
Lesson 2: Analysis of Musical Examples According to Aesthetic and Technical Benchmarks
- Setting up a Reference Level
- Diving into Genre
- Classical
- Jazz, Acoustic Rock, Singer/Songwriter
- Rock
- Pop
- On Loudness: Ian Shepherd
- Assignment 2: Aesthetic Roadmap from Mix to Master
Lesson 3: Processing Choices, Types, and Sequencing
- Setting Up Your Signal Processing Chain
- EQ Types, Uses, and Behaviors
- On EQing: Darcy Proper
- Compressor Types, Uses, and Behaviors
- On Compression: Gavin Lurssen
- Limiter Types, Uses, and Behaviors
- Assignment 3: Mastering Treatments: EQ and Compression
Lesson 4: Sonic Adventures in Mastering, Nonlinear Processors, Audio Repair, and File Delivery
- Sonic Adventures in Mastering
- Nonlinear Processors: When to Use Them and Why
- On Mastering: Paul Blakemore
- Introduction to Audio Repair
- Types of Audio Repair
- Delivery Formats
- Assignment 4: Mastering Treatments: Tape, Tube, and Triode
Lesson 5: High PSR: Mastering Classical, Chamber, and Symphonic Programs
- Evaluate Timbre, Panning, and Correlation
- Loudness and RMS Level Strategies
- Editing
- Evaluate Track Spacing and Metadata Implementation in Downloads/Streaming and Disc-Based Presentation
- On Mastering: David Bowles
- Assignment 5: Master Two Classical Pieces
Lesson 6: Medium PSR: Mastering Acoustic and Electric Jazz and Singer/Songwriter
- Evaluate Timbre, Panning, and Correlation
- Exploring Level, Dynamics, and Loudness
- EQ, Timbre, and Low Frequency Balance
- Evaluate Track Spacing and Metadata Implementation
- Assignment 6: Master Four Pieces
Lesson 7: Higher Integrated LUFS: Mastering Rock
- Evaluate Timbre, Panning, and Correlation
- Exploring Level, Dynamics, and Loudness
- EQ, Timbre, and Low-Frequency Balance in Rock
- Evaluate Track Spacing and Metadata Implementation
- On Mastering: Adam Ayan
- Assignment 7: Master Three Rock Tracks
Lesson 8: Even Higher Integrated LUFS: Mastering Modern Pop
- Pop Masters of the Masters: Evaluate Timbre, Panning, and Correlation
- Understanding the Tradeoffs and Loudness Potential
- Translation to Playback Systems
- The Loudness Wars: Looking Back to Look Ahead
- Assignment 8: Master Three Pop Tracks
Lesson 9: Mastering EDM and Preparing for Delivery
- EDM Level, Tonal Balance, and Correlation
- EDM Mastering Strategies: Clipping, Imaging, and Gain Staging
- Editing and Automation in Mastering
- Track Spacing and Editing in Electronica
- On Mastering: Luca Pretolesi
- Assignment 9: Master One EDM Track
Lesson 10: Final Project Week 1
- Outcomes: Choosing Your References and Target Levels
- Workflow: Iteration and Commitment
- Thinking about Deliverables: Sample Rate and Bit Depth
- Version 1: The First 90 Percent Takes 50 Percent of the Time
- Assignment 10: Final Project: Version 1
Lesson 11: Final Project Week 2
- Delivering and Receiving Feedback
- Incorporating Feedback
- Delivery: WAVs, DDP, Downsample, and Transcode
- Delivery: Mastering for Vinyl and MP3 Transcoding
- Dither
- Metadata
- Assignment 11: Final Project
Lesson 12: Archival, Restoration, and Automated Mastering
- Archival
- High Resolution and Fidelity
- Restoration
- The Future of Mastering
Requirements
Ready to submit an unofficial copy of your transcript?
Submit TranscriptPrerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements
Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills
- Completion of Audio Mastering Techniques, Critical Analysis of Music Production Techniques, Music Production: Maximizing Emotion through Performance, Arrangement, and Sound, and Advanced Mixing Techniques or equivalent knowledge and experience is required.
- Take the Audio Mastering self-assessment to determine your level.
Textbook(s)
- Audio Mastering: Essential Practices by Jonathan Wyner (Berklee Press, 2013)
- Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science by Bob Katz (Focal Press, 2013)
- Additional readings include relevant articles, reports, and studies, which will be provided as links and/or PDF files as part of lesson content.
Media and Subscriptions
- Tidal subscription
Software
- DAW suitable for mastering:
- Preferred options:
- Samplitude
- Sequoia
- Pyramix
- Studio One
- Wavelab
- Note: Pro Tools, Logic Pro, or equivalent are also accepted in lieu of one of the above. Students will also need Hofa DDP Maker if DDP function is not present in DAW.
- Preferred options:
- iZotope Ozone 8 Advanced or higher (Elements and Standard editions not sufficient)
- iZotope RX Standard 7 or higher (Elements edition not sufficient)
- iZotope Insight2
Hardware
- Professional open back, over-ear studio headphones, such as Sennheiser HD 600
- Professional quality studio monitors (pair), such as Dynaudio's or Focal's, as well as necessary cables
- Recommended: High quality headphone amplifier, such as Grace m900
Student Deals
After enrolling, be sure to check out our Student Deals page for various offers on software, hardware, and more. Please contact support@online.berklee.edu with any questions.
General Course Requirements
Below are the minimum requirements to access the course environment and participate in Live Chats. Please make sure to also check the Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements section above, and ensure your computer meets or exceeds the minimum system requirements for all software needed for your course.
Mac Users
PC Users
All Users
- Latest version of Google Chrome
- Zoom meeting software
- Webcam
- Speakers or headphones
- External or internal microphone
- Broadband Internet connection
Instructors
Author
Jonathan Wyner is an associate professor in the Music Production and Engineering department at Berklee College of Music and owner of M Works Mastering Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Throughout his career, he has worked with artists both well-known and more esoteric, including James Taylor, David Bowie, Aerosmith, Kiri Te Kanawa, Pink Floyd, Cream, Richard Stoltzman, Miles Davis, Nirvana, Aimee Mann, Juliana Hatfield, Tiny Tim, Snakefinger, John Cage, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Wyner mastered the first interactive CD game ("Play It by Ear"), the first recorded opera ("Madame Butterfly," recorded in 1912 by the BBC), and what's believed to be the longest CD (80:32 for Razormaid Records). He holds a bachelor's degree in French horn and composition from Vassar College.
What's Next?
When taken for credit, Advanced Audio/Music Mastering: Theory and Practice can be applied towards these associated programs:
Associated Certificate Program
Associated Degree Major
Questions?
Contact our Academic Advisors by phone at 1-866-BERKLEE (U.S.), 1-617-747-2146 (INT'L), or by email at advisors@online.berklee.edu.
