audio mastering

Syllable breakdown

Dictionary meaning

the final stage of audio post-production in which a mixed recording is processed by a mastering engineer to prepare it for distribution across multiple playback formats, ensuring consistent loudness, tonal balance, and dynamic range across the tracks of an album or release; mastering involves processes including equalisation to correct tonal imbalances, compression and limiting to control dynamics and achieve competitive loudness, stereo enhancement, noise reduction, and the creation of the production master from which all copies are made; a skilled mastering engineer brings critical listening skills and a reference listening environment to the task, serving as the final quality check between the artist's creative vision and the listener's experience