Mixing VS Mastering Among artists, the term "mastering" is one of somewhat mythical proportions- the final step to end all of their problems and to give them that "BIG, major-label sound (!!!)" While mastering is important and it is the final step, any respectable mastering engineer will tell you: Even great mastering won't save a bad mix. A mastering engineer applies effects to the entire recording all at once. A mix engineer applies effects and level changes to each individual instrument separately within the recording. The limitations of mastering are quite simple: effects cannot be applied to individual instruments. Any effect used during the mastering process will affect every layer of the recording. Mastering cannot change the relationship between elements in the recording, only change the sound of the recording overall. For example, a mastering engineer can't add echo to the vocal without adding echo to all the other instruments in the song too. So what is the point of mastering, anyway? The main goal of mastering is to make the overall loudness and frequency levels (bass, treble and mid range) match the volume and frequency levels of other professional recordings of similar style/arrangement and, more importantly, match each other. Here's another example of when mastering won't solve a bad mix: if a mastering engineer raises the treble (making it "brighter") in a song that has been improperly mixed, it may add clarity to the vocals but will also make the cymbals harsh. Or, a mastering engineer may try to add some low-end thump to the kick drum, but with an improper mix the bass line will probably turn to mush. Mastering is essential. About one third of our projects are mastering-only. Note, though, that everything you hear in our "after" clips have been both mixed and mastered. close