There are several things to consider when hiring a mixing and mastering engineer. These include Compression, Limiters, Artistic finesse, Technical standards, and experience. The first thing to remember is that mastering is the last step of the process. It’s the final chance to improve the sound quality of your musical product before it’s released to the public. Depending on your needs, mastering can be done digitally or physically. A mastering engineer will find previous technical problems and solve them, ultimately improving the musical product’s overall quality.
Compression
A mixed bus is the most important area to master regarding sound quality. Compression can make a big difference in the cohesion of your track. When using this technique, leave the process to a mastering engineer. The compressor can change the overall mix balance if used incorrectly, so it’s best left to the experts. It may take time to get used to but will pay off in the long run.
Limiters
A limiter is a plugin that allows a mixing and mastering engineer to apply to limit the audio signal. Limiters have several advantages over a compressor, ranging from flexibility to precision. Some limiters even incorporate IRC algorithms, which can be used to tailor a limiter to the sound of a specific song or project.
Artistic finesse
When mixing and mastering audio tracks, artistic finesse is essential. It helps create a certain style or vibe in the mix, and it can also create an emotional attachment to the music. Audio engineers should emphasize emotional dynamics, such as push and pull, tension and release, and rise and fall when working with artists. A well-trained ear can achieve this.
Technical standards
The final master delivered from a mixing and mastering engineer should be in the format required for release on digital service platforms. This includes CDs and iTunes programs. CD release mediums require 44.1 kHz sample rates with 16-bit resolution, while iTunes supports up to 192 kHz. However, these formats may not be suitable for every type of release. In this case, a good mastering engineer can provide a single digital master that meets these requirements without compromising quality.
A good mastering engineer should be familiar with various audio formats and conventions accompanying modern-day delivery. Often, they will send the final mix in a stereo format with a specified bit depth, sample rate, and headroom amount. This stage aims to enhance the mixdown’s audio quality and prepare it for release. Mastering engineers apply the same primary tools as the mixing engineers, though the mastering engineer may make subtle adjustments to EQ and compression, as well as stereo enhancement.