In the realm of audio production, mastering is the final polish that transforms a mix into a professional-sounding record. However, DIY audio mastering can be fraught with pitfalls if not approached with care. Here are some of the most common mistakes made during DIY mastering and tips on how to avoid them.
1. Overcompression
One of the most frequent errors in DIY mastering is overcompression. While compression is vital for controlling dynamics and ensuring consistency, too much compression can sap the life out of your track, resulting in a flat, lifeless sound.
To avoid this, use compression sparingly and always A/B test with the uncompressed version to ensure you’re not losing vital dynamics.
2. The “Louder is Better” Illusion
Many DIY mastering enthusiasts fall into the trap of believing that louder tracks inherently sound better. This phenomenon, known as the “loudness war,” often leads to overcompression and limiting, sacrificing dynamic range for volume.
The key is to aim for a balance where the track is competitively loud but still retains its dynamic character. Using volume normalization tools and referencing against well-mastered tracks can help maintain this balance without falling prey to the loudness deception.
It also helps to apply before/after loudness matching during mastering processing. This way you won’t get tricked into thinking something sounds better only because you made it louder as a byproduct of the processing.
3. Neglecting Stereo Image and Mono Compatibility
A lot of instrument presets and sample packs present overly wide sounds in order to entice the listener to make the purchase. It’s important to control the stereo image where necessary or you’ll end up with an unfocused mess.
In today’s stereo-focused world, it’s also easy to overlook mono compatibility.
Ensuring your track sounds good in mono is crucial, as it might be played in environments that sum to mono, like certain PA systems or radio broadcasts. Always check your mix in mono to ensure frequencies aren’t clashing or disappearing.
4. Mismatched EQ
Amateur mastering often involves applying EQ changes that don’t actually complement the track. Boosting high frequencies excessively to achieve brightness or overdoing the bass for warmth can distort the track’s balance.
Instead, make subtle EQ adjustments and continually reference other tracks to maintain a balanced sound.
Often it’s better to focus on cutting rather than boosting. This will help you not get tricked into thinking something is better only because the volume becomes louder.
5. Poor Monitoring and Room Acoustics
Mastering requires critical listening, and a room with poor acoustics or inadequate monitoring can mislead you about how your music actually sounds. You might make adjustments based on inaccurate sound perception.
Investing in basic acoustic treatments, professional grade monitoring or using very high-quality headphones can mitigate this issue.
There is a reason why professional mastering engineers spend a large part of their budget in monitoring and room acoustics.
6. Ignoring Export Quality and Requirements
Exporting music in the wrong format or at inappropriate quality settings can degrade your final product in all phases of the production process – including (and especially) mastering.
Always ensure you are exporting at the correct resolution, applying dither correctly where needed, and using an appropriate file format for your distribution channels. For instance, a lossless format like WAV is preferable for most professional applications.
7. Lack of Fresh Perspective
Mastering your own mix can lead to biased decisions because of your familiarity with the track. It’s beneficial to take breaks or get feedback from others to provide fresh perspectives on the sound.
8. Skipping Professional Mastering Tools
While there are many great budget-friendly mastering tools, using inadequate software can limit your mastering capabilities and lead to sub-par results.
Investing in professional-standard tools or plugins can significantly improve the quality of your DIY mastering. Of course you still need to learn how to use those tools correctly!
Mastering is as much an art as it is a science. By avoiding these common pitfalls, you can enhance your DIY mastering skills and ensure your music competes on a professional level.
