Advanced Audio/Music Mastering: Theory and Practice

author.full_name

Authored by Jonathan Wyner

|

Course Code: OMPRD-692

Next semester
starts Jan 13, 2025

12 Weeks

Level 6 - Enrollable

Level 6 (Proof of a Bachelor's Degree Required)

3-Credit Tuition

$2,817

Non-Credit Tuition

$2,615

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.

Read More

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
Read Less
Overview Syllabus Requirements Instructors
Request Info

Need guidance?

1-866-BERKLEE Int'l: +1-617-747-2146

Call, Text, or Email us

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

Proof of a Bachelor's Degree

Proof of a bachelor's degree is required to enroll in this non-degree, graduate-level course.
Ready to submit an unofficial copy of your transcript?


Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements 

Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills

Textbook(s)

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.
  • 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-quality studio monitors (pair), such as Dynaudio's or Focal's, as well as necessary cables
  • Professional open back, over-ear studio headphones, such as Sennheiser HD 600
  • 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 Classes. 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

Jonathan Wyner
Jonathan Wyner

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 the completion of these related programs:

Related Certificate Programs

Related 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.

 Get Info
Call
Text