Behind the Scenes of Great Mastering: Real-Life Examples of What it Takes

mastering case studies

In this blog post, we will take a look at some case studies or examples of successful mastering projects, to get a sense of what goes into a great mastering job.

Case Study 1: The 1975's "I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It"

The 1975's "I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It" is a great example of a well-mastered album. The album was mastered by Mike Marsh, a renowned mastering engineer who has worked with artists such as Radiohead, Oasis, and The Chemical Brothers.

Marsh used a combination of EQ, compression, limiting, and other techniques to give the album a cohesive, polished sound. He paid particular attention to the vocals, which are a key element of The 1975's music, and used EQ and compression to bring them to the forefront of the mix. Marsh also used limiting to increase the overall volume of the tracks, but he did so carefully, to avoid distortion.

The result of Marsh's mastering work is an album that sounds clear, punchy, and professional. The tracks have a cohesive sound, and they stand up well next to other well-mastered releases.

Case Study 2: Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy"

Kanye West's "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" is another great example of a well-mastered album. The album was mastered by Vlado Meller, a highly respected mastering engineer who has worked with artists such as Red Hot Chili Peppers, Madonna, and Metallica.

Meller used a variety of techniques to give the album a rich, polished sound. He used EQ and compression to bring out the punch and clarity of the drums and bass, and he used limiting to increase the overall volume of the tracks. Meller also paid careful attention to the vocals, which are a key element of Kanye West's music, and used EQ and compression to bring them to the forefront of the mix.

The result of Meller's mastering work is an album that sounds powerful and professional. The tracks have a cohesive sound, and they stand up well next to other well-mastered releases.

Case Study 3: The Black Keys' "El Camino"

The Black Keys' "El Camino" is another example of a well-mastered album. The album was mastered by Brian Lucey, a mastering engineer who has worked with artists such as Arctic Monkeys, The Strokes, and The Shins.

Lucey used a combination of EQ, compression, and limiting to give the album a cohesive, punchy sound. He paid particular attention to the drums and bass, which are a key element of The Black Keys' music, and used EQ and compression to bring them to the forefront of the mix. Lucey also used limiting to increase the overall volume of the tracks, but he did so carefully, to avoid distortion.

The result of Lucey's mastering work is an album that sounds clear, punchy, and professional. The tracks have a cohesive sound, and they stand up well next to other well-mastered releases.

Conclusion

Mastering is an essential part of the music production process, and it requires a careful balance of art and science. These case studies demonstrate the importance of using the right techniques and tools to achieve a great mastering job, and they serve as inspiration for anyone looking to master their own tracks.


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