12 Weeks
Level 4
3-Credit Tuition
$1,545Non-Credit Tuition
$1,290Mastering is the final, critical, step in the post-production process. Although considered by many to be a somewhat mysterious art, the truth is that audio mastering is a process that relies on a combination of real-world experience and knowledge. Audio Mastering Techniques, authored by two working professionals with a total of 40 years of mastering experience, provides you with a thorough understanding of what is involved in creating a final master recording ready for duplication, replication, or online distribution.
The course begins with a discussion of acoustics, monitoring, and the digital audio "nuts and bolts" particular to the mastering process. You'll learn how to make a proper assessment of what needs to be done to a piece of music to fulfill the artist's vision and expectation, and engage in a step-by-step process of optimization, using equalizers and compressors, to reach that vision.
You'll learn the specific tools used to modify, enhance, and correct the sound of a recording. Topics include applying signal processing to enhance audio material, noise reduction techniques, advanced editing techniques such as album sequencing and manual gain riding, the importance of quality control, and disc/electronic delivery preparation. You'll also delve into other popular techniques in the field of audio mastering, including enhancing the stereo field of a master, and cutting edge filtering and fading techniques.
Throughout the course you'll study examples of effective mastering techniques and engage in step-by-step exercises that allow you to apply these techniques. You'll work with Izotope's RX and Ozone plug-ins, which you will use in conjunction with your DAW.
Audio Mastering Techniques will equip you with a professional-level understanding of the day-to-day mastering process, which will enable you to create a level matched, hi-fidelity, error-free, and duplication-ready master with associated documentation.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Apply appropriate signal processing to enhance audio material
- Use advanced editing, noise reduction, and album sequencing techniques
- Understand quality control and how to ensure the quality of a master
- Implement the red book standard for CD preparation
- Prepare material for electronic delivery formats such as MP3 and AAC
- Provide proper documentation to finalize the mastering job
Berklee Online and iZotope have come together to offer an educational discount on Ozone and RX software. Once you enroll in the course, you will be able to purchase software at the discounted price through the Required Course Materials link on your My Home page. Early enrollment is encouraged to ensure software delivery prior to the start of the course. Read Less
Syllabus
Lesson 1: Monitoring
- Monitor Types
- Headphones vs. Speakers
- Monitoring Levels
- Fletcher-Munson Curves
- D/A Converters
Lesson 2: Digital Audio, Metering, and Volume
- Digital Audio Review
- Fixed vs. Floating Point DSP
- Metering: Spectrum, Correlation, Dithering
- L/R Balance, Clipping, and Inter-Sample Peaks
- Apparent vs. Absolute Volume
- RMS vs. Peak Metering
Lesson 3: Monitoring Functions, A/B Listening, and the Processing Chain
- Clocking and Jitter
- Monitor Switchers
- M/S Processing
- A/B and A/B/C Listening
- Typical Mastering Signal and Processing Chains
- D/A/D Chain
Lesson 4: Equalization, Part 1
- Corrective vs. Creative EQ
- Matching Spectral Content
- EQ Types
- Shelves, Peaks, and Filters
- Dynamic EQ
- EQ Effects
Lesson 5: Equalization, Part 2
- M/S EQ and base-width control
- Direction Sensing
- Tightening Up the Bass
- Elliptical EQ
- Baxandall EQ
- The Mastering Mindset
Lesson 6: Dynamics Processing, Part 1
- Dynamic Ranges of Musical Genres
- Compressor Controls
- Threshold and Ratio
- Attack, Release, and Time Constants
- Auto-Gain Compensation
- Auto-Smoothing
- RMS vs. Peak Detection
Lesson 7: Dynamics Processing, Part 2
- The Loudness Wars
- De-essing to Reduce Sibilance
- Side-Chain Compression Techniques
- Multi-band Compression
- Upward Expansion
- Parallel Compression
- Analog vs. Digital Limiters
- Where to Place Limiters in the Mastering Chain
Lesson 8: Removal of Noise and Artifacts
- Common Noise Sources
- Expanders and Fades
- Filtering Techniques
- Removing Impulsive Noise
- Spot De-Essing and Plosives
Lesson 9: Advanced Editing Techniques
- Editing Elements into Sequence
- Restoring fade tails
- Fade Techniques
- Editing Cross Fades
- Gain Riding and Musical Edits
- Segue Editing
- Fade Workflow
Lesson 10: Bits, Dither, and SR Conversion
- Bit Depth 16/24/32/48
- Float vs. Fixed-Point Resolution
- Dither Types
- Sample Rate Converters
- SR Conversion Tools
Lesson 11: QC, PQ Coding, CD Replication, and Data Integrity
- Release and Delivery Formats/Media
- CD Meta Data
- Disc Description Protocol (DDP)
- AAC and MP3 encoding techniques
- Online Databases
- ID3 Tags
- Data Integrity and Replication Issues
- Quality Control (QC) and Null-Tests
Lesson 12: Finalizing the Mastering Job
- Starting a New Project
- Proper Labeling of Source Materials
- Finalizing a Mastering Project
- Archiving Settings for Session Recall and Media
- FLAC vs. DSD Archival Formats
- Magnetic vs. Optical Media
- Archiving Responsibilities
Requirements
Prerequisites and Course-Specific Requirements
Prerequisite Courses, Knowledge, and/or Skills
Completion of Critical Listening 1, or equivalent knowledge and experience is required. You should have a good understanding of the principles of digital audio, and be comfortable using a digital audio workstation (DAW). Some experience with using compressors and equalizers is strongly recommended. To meet the DAW proficiency requirements, you may benefit from taking any of the following courses: Pro Tools 101, Pro Tools 110, Producing Music with Logic, Producing Music with Reason, Producing Music with Cubase, Ableton Live Fundamentals.
Textbook(s)
- Audio Mastering: Essential Practices by Jonathan Wyner (Berklee Press, 2013)
- Recommended: Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science by Bob Katz (Focal Press, 2013)
Software
- Full-featured Digital Audio Workstation (DAW), such as Pro Tools (Studio or Ultimate), Logic Pro, Cubase Pro, Ableton Live (Suite or Standard), Reaper, Reason, or FL Studio (Producer or Signature). Note that GarageBand is not acceptable.
- iZotope Ozone 8 or higher (Elements edition not sufficient)
- iZotope RX 7 or higher (Elements edition not sufficient)
Hardware
- Audio interface
- Studio monitors (pair), such as JBL 305Ps or better, as well as necessary cables
- Professional over-ear studio headphones, such as Sennheiser HD 600, beyerdynamic DT 770 PRO, etc.
- Recommended: SPL meter
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
Author & Instructor
Marc-Dieter Einstmann is the chief mastering engineer at Einstmann Mastering Studios, based in Hamburg and New York. Since 1987 he has worked for artists and producers, such as Dave Stewart, Annie Lennox, Chrissie Hynde, Mick Jagger, Mary J. Blige, David Lee Roth, Notorious B.I.G., Dru Hill, Doug E. Fresh, D’Angelo, Tricky, Depeche Mode, KD Lang, Yo-Yo Ma, Elvis Costello, The Neptunes, Frankie Knuckles, Flood (U2), David Kahne (Paul McCartney), Rodney Jerkins (Michael Jackson), Alan Moulder (Nine Inch Nails), Imogen Heap and Cindy Lauper, among others.
Einstmann’s mastering career began in 1997 in Boston, where he founded Sonic Silver Mastering, working on releases by local and international award-winning artists in New England. During this time, he also served as an assistant professor in the Music Production and Engineering department at Berklee College of Music, before relocating himself and Sonic Silver to New York City. From 2002-2005 he was a mastering engineer at Sterling Sound, a large mastering facility in New York City. In addition to mastering, he has worked as a freelance recording and mix engineer, as well as taught at the Institute of Audio Research and SAE. He has been involved in audio post-production, location recording, and live broadcast, in addition to live sound and studio installations. Playing trumpet, drums and percussion, he holds bachelor’s honours degrees in classical music from Keele University in England and in music production and engineering from Berklee College of Music. Read Less
Author & Instructor
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, Audio Mastering Techniques can be applied towards the completion of these related programs:
Related Certificate Programs
Related Degree Majors
Related Music Career Roles
Employers look for skills learned in this course, when hiring for the following music career roles:
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.
