Step-by-step

How to make a mastering project

1 Single file

A mastering project is usually just one audio track. This acts as a template ‘container’ track for imported, unprocessed song files imported from your main project.

2 Double tracked

Sometimes you might have two tracks instead. This is useful for merging instrument audio with vocals, exported out from two other projects, at the final mastering stage.

3 Remove plugins

Ideally, these audio tracks should be clean of processing. So in the Smart Controls (B) inspector, remove any added default plugins like Channel EQ so the stack is empty.

4 Master Effects

We might want Master Effects toggled off too. If your audio was unmixed and has no Reverb or Echo then you could use these, but usually we don’t want this added again.

5 Master Track

The Master Track is crucial and where we want final mastering effects to be applied. Show it with shift+cmd+ M to chain all the chosen plugins your song master requires.

6 Mastering effects

Typically in here you want any final EQS and compression. Our example has an Exciter for adding silver, plus Klanghelm’s IVGI2 saturation effect for some warm distortion.

7 Limiter plugin

The Limiter is your last line for adding volume. While boosting db a little bit (Gain), we set a lower Output Level threshold to curtail any peaks that may cause clipping.

8 Volume adjustments

Automating volume, principally on the Master Track, allows for universal fades in and out that you might use across every song. Show Automation (A) and plot those curves.

9 Export master

When you now export the song file, you have a master! Visit ‘Share>export Song to Disk…’ and pick a higher quality MP3 format that can be added to itunes or burned to CD.