Do you master your own tracks? Do you really know what mastering is? Do you think it’s all about making your mixes as ridiculously loud as possible?
We all could stand to learn more about mastering. It’s a mysterious topic and, sadly, one that gets overlooked. Most people think that mastering is simply throwing a limiter plug-in on your mix.
One and done, right? Wrong.
I’m nowhere near being an expert at mastering, but I know someone who is. Ian Shepherd (@ianshepherd) is a professional mastering engineer who runs a couple of great blogs:
- Production Advice – http://productionadvice.co.uk/
- Mastering Media Blog – http://mastering-media.blogspot.com/
If either the topics of music production or mastering interest you (and if you’re a fan of Home Studio Corner, then I bet they both do), you need to follow these blogs.
Dynamic Range Day
It won’t take you long to find out where Ian stands on the issue of over-compressed music, or the “Loudness Wars.” In an effort to raise awareness, Ian has announced “Dynamic Range Day.”
It’s March 20, 2010. You can find out more about Dynamic Range Day by reading this post over on Production Advice.
While your over there, be sure to sign up for Ian’s newsletter — great stuff from a guy who’s much smarter than I am. 
[...] If you enjoyed this, you might also like…Thoughts on Mastering, and DYNAMIC RANGE DAY [...]
Great stuff! Very helpful websites and a great side note to 31 Days to Better Recording!
[...] For one, make sure that your music is loud enough. There is a lot of news these days about the “Loudness Wars”, but I’m not talking about slamming your music with a limiter, I’m talking about having [...]
Thank you, thank you, thank you for pointing us to Ian Shepherd! I went to Ian’s blogs and subscribed to both. I have just spent the last 30 minutes enjoying his postings; I expect that I will enjoy learning a whole lot about mixing and mastering from him.
What a great time to be a home recorder!
PS I SIGNED UP FOR DRD ON FACEBOOK, TOO!
Thanks Joe ! But – me smarter than you ? That’s the dumbest thing I ever heard :-p
Ian
Can’t wait for Dynamic Range Day! Ian’s blogs are great. I had actually discovered your blog within a day or two of discovering his because he shared your awesome video intro to EQ.
You guys keep up the good work. Looking forward to March 20th!