Mastering Chain Used by Mastering Professionals

The best mastering chain for professionally finished sound.

Mastering is a crucial part of music production. It is the final stage where we take care of raising the quality of the sound as best as possible. That is why we must pay close attention to this process.

Today we are going to explain all the processing that professional mastering engineers use to achieve impressive sound.

I’ve also included some recommendations for the best plugins to incorporate into a mastering chain.

So, if you want to know all the tools suitable for mastering, you are in the right place!

Objectives of a mastering chain

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Getting the track to sound louder.

In the mastering phase we look for a powerful sound, at least -14 Lufs. What are LUFS? It is the standard unit they use to measure the volume power of songs. This is very common on platforms like You Tube, Spotify, etc.

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Make the track sound better.

A key objective of mastering is to make the track better and more conscientious in its sound. When we talk about sounding better, we mean achieving a sound with a perfect balance between its elements, and also reducing those sounds that are not as pleasant to hear.

Make sure the track sounds good on different speakers.

When mastering a track we must perform tests on different types of speakers, small, large, low-end and high-end. This way we can hear how our master is translated into different types of speakers. It is important that our tracks listen well on all types of speakers.

The master chain

A mastering chain consists of several audio processes that are applied to a mix to achieve the desired volume and depth, as well as good tonal balance and sound intensity.

**Masterchain:**The mastering chain is made up of a diverse selection of plugins ranging from equalizers, compressors, stereo processors, limiters and much more. There are many options when choosing a plugin to insert into our mastering chain. It will depend on the characteristics of the track to be mastered and the results we want to achieve in terms of sound and color.

What are we looking to achieve with a mastering chain?

We need a set of plugins that help us correct deficiencies in the mix, as well as being able to accentuate the emotions that the mix provokes. One of the fundamental objectives of mastering (which we had mentioned before) is to achieve good sound quality on any type of device, speakers, headphones, etc.

Also the mastering chain will help us achieve a powerful sound level by applying limiters, compressors, clippers, among others.

How to choose plugins for a master chain

The most common thing when you start working on a song is to set up and adjust equalizers, compressors, and limiters until you’re happy with the result. But the mastering chain depends on the musical context. The processing you choose to use, and the order of your chain, should reflect the musical style of the material you are working with.

We can easily fall into a routine where we end up using the same things in the same order all the time, so it’s important to think about the type of signal we are processing.

The first step in creating a well-defined mastering chain is to listen to the track and take notes on what you hear. Here are three questions you should ask yourself:

Follow these steps and you’ll have a solid action plan and, most importantly, a good mastering pipeline.

Next let’s discuss some common phases of the mastering signal chain.

Process Stages of a Mastering Chain

Mid Side Substrative Equalization

Fabfilter Pro Q3 in Linear Phase mode for mastering without phase issues.

In the first stage of the mastering chain we are going to clean the mix of all unwanted sounds, for example reducing some resonances that occur in the mid-bass. Midside equalization also allows us to reduce the bass of the stereo and reduce some treble of the side signal.

We use subtractive equalization, which consists of reducing the missing frequency bands without adding anything else.

EQ recommendations for the mastering chain

Fabfilte’s quintessential equalizer has become more versatile with each update. The Pro-Q3 is a very versatile equalizer, equipped to handle essentially any application, especially subtractive and corrective equalization in the first phase of the mastering chain. Pro Q3 upgrades add the ability to make any eq point (band) dynamic, meaning it will have no impact on the signal except if it passes a set level.

Ozone9(EQ&Dynamic EQ)

It’s a fully featured equalizer!

A quality-graded transparent surgical equalizer ideal for mastering. The version with dynamic equalizer allows a more specific approach to processing different frequency ranges. The Ozone9 of the Zotopee is unbeatable.

Matching EQ allows you to identify and capture the frequency spectrum of a chosen mix or master, and then apply it to your own material. At the very least, to analyze what professionals do, it is a fascinating and educational tool.

Pressure in the mastering chain

At this stage we are going to control the stronger peaks of the mix thus achieving a more solid sound. Normally it is also usually used to slightly accentuate the hit of the drums, although in the mastering stage it is used very sparingly and in a very subtle way.

Compressor recommendation for a master chain

UADShadow Hills Mastering Compressor

The hardware unit is incredible, consisting of several compressors integrated into one, with an infinite number of controls and different sound colors.

The plug-in version of UAD is a faithful digital replica of the legendary Shadow Hills mastering compressor sound. To use this plugin you need a universalaudio compatible system.

Plugin version of Manley Vari-Mudelacasa UAD

UADManley Vari-Mu

This is definitely the purchase with the most color. It doesn’t have so many complicated functions or controls, the most interesting thing about this compressor is that it sounds incredible with the warm and rich tone it prints on the signal.

The original hardware is a key piece in every recording studio and top-level mastering studios use the Manley Vari-Muy and this UAD plugin is an excellent and faithful emulation.

The ability to work in Mid-Side mode adds a useful feature to what is already one of the most renowned bus compressors.

UADSSLG-Bus

Known as one of the best compressors for the mix bus, Universal Audio’s SSLG-Buss Compressor plugin is an emulation of the legendary hardware unit that has sculpted the dynamics of countless records. The stepped controls help you achieve that famous GLUESSL quickly. The SSLBuss compressor definitely has a bang, and as I mentioned above, it’s a popular choice among top mix engineers.

Stereo treatment in the master chain

Processor This is part of the mastering chain\Nugen Audio Stereoizer\

In this section of the master chain we are going to work on the Stereo signal. Our goal in this phase is to increase interesting parts of the information on the trail. This will also depend on the mix because in case of excessive stereo we could reduce it.

To correctly manipulate the stereo we will use Mid/Side processors such as EQs, Compressors and other dedicated plugins.

Remember that in the first phase of the mastering chain (Eqsubtractivemidside) we correct different aspects of the stereo signal. For this reason in this phase we will not focus on opening the stereo field of the track.

Stereomastering Processor Recommendations

Nugen Audio Stereoizer

Quick access to the sound of the professionals. Stereoizer gives stereo width to our masters, with the guarantee of superb mono compatibility and no sound problems.

Stereoizer is a high-level stereo image manipulation tool, suitable for the natural expansion of stereo amplitudes in the process of mastering an audio production.

PLUGIN:Center(waves)

Ideal for final mixes and mastering, Waves Center is a processor that separates mono content (Mid) and side content (Sides). With Center from Waves, you can find the perfect balance or lower the vocals without affecting the mix. Also perfect for post-production engineers looking to expand, rearrange, isolate and even eliminate elements from their mix in the technical field.

Add color and character to a master

Plugin that emulates the original Aphex unit, it works very well in the mix, for mastering it is better to use Izotope Ozone Exciter.

It is necessary to mention a very important category of processors in the mastering chain that can add harmonic content to your tracks. You may hear these called exciters and saturators. Regardless of the name, these plugins can be fantastic for adding color, vibrancy, impact and character to your masters.

What is an Exciter?

The biggest secret of music producers is sound engineers. Exciters are processors that add brightness and fullness to both mixes and material.

The effect was invented by chance of life when the company Aphex discovered that playing a track simultaneously with a signal with a filter to distort it higher treble itself brought clarity to the sound.

Let’s go over what exactly an exciter does so you better understand when to use it in your mastering chain.

How does an exciter work?

We could classify an exciter as a type of distortion effect. Although, in reality it is much more than that. An exciter adds harmonic desaturation to the signal frequencies at the highest frequency (3k and above). This produces new harmonics that add richness and sharpness to the track. There are also low-band and multi-band exciters such as the Ozone9.

When to use an exciter?

When using an exciter, it is often best to try it on your mix systems rather than on the entire master bus. If you are interested in using an exciter, I recommend that you use the Izotope Exciter to insert into your mastering channel.

How do you use chain saturation and mastering process?

Saturation is used during mastering to generate a thicker, more complex and present sound; it is often used to give more power to the master.

This creates a master with more overall volume and better sound on conventional speakers.

Additionally, saturation can be used during mastering to create a more analog, warm or even aggressive color.

What is tape saturation?

When we recorded on reel tape (and we could afford tape because it’s very expensive!), we recorded each instrument on a different track on a different piece of tape. It was mixed, all those pieces of tape were played, they were passed through the different external processors, mixing console and recorded again on tape to save the master that would then be transferred to a vinyl record.

Tape Saturation with Mastering Plugins

To simulate the small anomalies of the tape rushing through a tape head and a magnet recording the sound magnetically. Plugin creators have created different algorithms to imitate the smooth ribbon cutting. In other words, tape desaturation plugins offer a special type of distortion that can be more subtle and help combat excess high frequencies above 5khz.

Recommendations for Excitators and Saturators

PLUGIN:Exciter(Ozone9)

Ozone9 does not offer a complete mastering suite, although we can also take advantage of each of its processor plugins individually.

In mastering we apply excitation and saturation selectively processing some frequency ranges while others do not. Ozoneno offers highly flexible multi-band processing with the highest quality

Izotope has a wide variety of desaturation types and detailed display of the frequency spectrum.

Saturn2(Fabfilter)

This plugin offers everything from useful, clean and warm tube or tape overdrive to super monstrous and wild guitar amp effects. The interface with multi-band display and linear phase processing for mastering also includes many distortion styles to color our track. Ander BTweet

With its intuitive design and options for feedback, dynamics, drive, pitch and band modulation, Saturn2 from the renowned Fab Filter house will bring a unique flavor to any track when inserted into the mastering chain.

Limiter: Limitation in the mastering chain

Oxford Limiter V3ideal for even a master with power

The last part of the processing in the mastering chain is limiting. You can think of the limiter as a more drastic compressor that will not let any peak go above what is set. This process will also help us achieve a louder sound by raising the RMS and LUFS. (perceived sound measurement units)

When we limit we normally look to reduce between 2-5dbs of GR (gain reduction) or more depending on the musical style. It is also important to recommend the use of two limiters to distribute the work between two. If we are going to perform a more aggressive limitation, we recommend the use of two res limiters.

For tracks that require ig in a larger amount of li half or, you can do the por re tapas instead of leaving all the heavy lifting even just li half or. For this, use several limited res (two or three), distributing the workload across several instances of the same limiter or a combination of several.

All of this will help achieve a limiting with Transparency and with the desired power, that is exactly what a mastering engineer looks for when using a limiter in the mastering chain.

Mastering Chain Limiter Recommendations

VERPLUGIN:Fab Filter Pro-L2

The Pro L-2 has become one of the most widely used mastering limiters today. This is an incredibly effective limiter plugin and offers immense flexibility and quality when processing a signal in the mastering chain.

First of all, you can change the limitation between 8 different styles with different and very interesting sounds. You can use the look a head function, adjust the surrounds, and alter how the left and right channels are affected, either independently or together. Versampling and Dithering are also available.

The Sonnox Oxford Limiter V3

The Sonnox Oxford Limiter V3 offers fantastic sound. Like other plugins of this type, the threshold establishes both the point where the limitation is set and the output of the plugin.

What’s really impressive about this plugin is how it internally adjusts the signal - so the peaks that would normally cause clipping will have enough room to pass through the limiter without distortion. This, like the Soft Knee setup, makes this limit the closest thing to a logical limit.

Measurement at the End of the Mastering Chain

One of the most important points in a mastering chain is at the end of all processes. This place in the chain is intended for plugins for analyzing and measuring the output of the mastering chain.

In mastering we need to measure from the beginning of the process, so we recommend inserting this type of plugins from the beginning of the session. These meters include spectrum analyzers, spectrograms, vectorscopes, correlation meters, truepeak level meters, and loudness meters; they can provide you with information about the frequency spectrum, stereo imaging, and various types of levels.

Sound is the bridge between chaos and harmony. Use the hardware to your advantage.—Ander B

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