While many people think that the mixing of the separate audio tracks is the final step, a recording must be mastered well in order to sound good. CD mastering is the last chance for creative input when creating a compact disc. After a disc is mastered, it can be printed, reproduced, and sold.
The process of mastering a CD includes several steps. The first step is putting the songs, called tracks at this point, in order. Next, the volume is leveled for all of the songs. The length of time between songs is also adjusted, and any editing on the intros and ends of the songs (such as fades and crossfades, etc.). Also, any unlisted, secret songs, usually known as hidden tracks, are added at this point.
There are several ways to master a CD. First, the mix can be sent to a professional CD mastering engineer, which is what professional musicians with major recording contracts usually do. These mastering engineers often work in their own mastering facilities, which are different from standard recording studios, in that they have much less gear and are designed for the best playback of the mix as possible in order to fix any slight discrepancies.
Aside from professional CD mastering engineers, CDs can be mastered at home using computer software. This option is usually more realistic for unsigned artists or musicians who are just starting out. Depending on the quality of the software and the skill of the person doing the mastering, the CD may sound great or it may sound muddy and unprofessional.
Online CD mastering is another option. CDs mastered online can be a great time-time, in that, instead of sending a mix to a mastering engineer, the mix is sent over the Internet. This option requires a high-speed Internet connection.
Free CD mastering is obviously the cheapest way to master a CD. Artists may want to use free mastering programs on demos or other early recordings that artists use to send to record labels to generate interest. Many CD burning programs included on many computers can be used to do basic but necessary mastering functions.
The difference between a professional sounding CD and an amateurish recording is often found in the mastering. All of the songs played on the radio are extensively mastered in order to sound slicker and more listenable.
CD Mastering Info provides detailed information on CD mastering engineers, facilities, and software, as well as online and free CD mastering. CD Mastering Info is affiliated with Original Content.
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
|
![]() |
Mp3 music is audio that has been digitally encoded and... Read More
The steel-stringed acoustic guitar is usually credited with being developed... Read More
Q. My children are very interested in playing music. Is... Read More
Most people these days would associate singing with the popular... Read More
The Search for the Right MusicEver since Georgi Lozonav, the... Read More
Every student realizes that guitar practice is important if they... Read More
There are so many areas in life where one must... Read More
Do you ramble on endlessly with your improvisations? If so,... Read More
When I started playing jigs, my default bowing pattern made... Read More
Many piano students spend much time learning how to play... Read More
The Rickenbacker 4003 electric bass guitar is one of the... Read More
In Northern Australia the Didjeridu is seen as a phallic... Read More
While Richard Nixon's diplomatic visit to China may have created... Read More
Let me guess, you love music and would do anything... Read More
Different styles of music have different "sounds." We can all... Read More
Rap music originated as a cross-cultural product. Most of its... Read More
Three battles at the end of the 8 Mile movie... Read More
All of us know what jazz is when we hear... Read More
Are you confused by the various types of music file... Read More
Mistake #1 - Thinking about what you're going to playA... Read More
How do you begin a piece of music? That's a... Read More
Recently, I had a student ask me to offer some... Read More
There are 88 keys on the piano keyboard. Most pianists... Read More
One of the things New Age pianist George Winston is... Read More
It is no secret that over the past couple decades... Read More
G-Units 50 Cent , was born 6th of July 1976... Read More
The press have reported this week that silent disco's are... Read More
Not since the heyday of Dance/Pop Artists like Taylor Dayne... Read More
Movie and record producers alike are saying file-sharing networks that... Read More
Bringing Bagpipe Tuition to Everyone, Everywhere.I have been teaching music... Read More
Meet the 12 Major Notes:1. C (do)2. C# - Db... Read More
That's a fair question!Basically, you can call music any noise... Read More
Piano playing doesn't have to be boring. There's no law... Read More
Imagine asking a beginning writer to write a short story... Read More
Yowza! Did you hear that hideous noise? It sounded like... Read More
There are many things to consider when buying a new... Read More
It is believed that the custom of dining in began... Read More
Virtually all of you have probably heard of the RIAA's... Read More
Flaunting any excessive or anti-social behavior is considered brazen. When... Read More
Mistake #1 - Thinking about what you're going to playA... Read More
Following, is a list of alternative sources that may be... Read More
A lot of new age piano music consists of repeating... Read More
So now you've decided to record your songs. Good for... Read More
Ostinato means "repeating pattern" and is used frequently in all... Read More
Congratulations, you just bought you first guitar! Now that you've... Read More
Probably the most enigmatic Singer and Guitarist of the twentieth... Read More
Piano lessons provide a wide range of benefits to young... Read More
Legend Vega is scheduled to release her newest CD this... Read More
Most of us like to use what we learn right... Read More
Everybody's doing it: downloading music and sharing files. People who... Read More
I was 17 at the time (the Beatles era), and... Read More
Celebrating an endorsement between G-Man Music and the fiery axe-makers... Read More
Rarely is a chord played with its tones contained in... Read More
Celebrities now such as Outkast, a fashion wear can be... Read More
In an interview given to Musik Magazine in 2000, Eminem... Read More
It is said that the forerunner of the guitar, the... Read More
Piano lessons are a great activity for children. They encourage... Read More
Introduced in 1982, the compact disc was intended to provide... Read More
It all started with Gloria Gaynor's "I Will Survive" in... Read More
While many people think that the mixing of the separate... Read More
If you are just starting out learning guitar one of... Read More
The MP3 movement started out with a huge audience of... Read More
Form is the key that unlocks the musical map of... Read More
Vision Music USA is a proactive and progressive music service... Read More
As a full-time guitar instructor, I am constantly faced with... Read More
Now, that you are familiar and likely connected with online... Read More
Music & MP3 |