Mastering in the Box Explained®
Chapter 1 : Basics
-
3:43 Introduction
Get a quick holistic look at the mastering process and some of what you'll be covering with Michael in this series.
-
12:20 What Happens & Why
Michael discusses his thought processes that underly the art of mastering.
Chapter 2 : EQ, Dynamics and Dither
-
10:15 EQ
Join Michael for a discussion about the mastering approach to using and applying EQ.
-
17:24 Compression
Learn about single band bus compression, its purposes and examples of three popular models.
-
14:59 Limiting
Discover the function of the peak limiter in mastering, for tone and protection.
-
5:03 Dithering
Explore the subtle but integral part of delivering your final master.
Chapter 3 : Fixing the Mix
-
8:32 The Harsh Mix
See how fixing a harsh element in the mix with something other than EQ might be a better choice.
-
9:23 The Thumpy Mix
Learn how a dynamic EQ can tame an overly thumpy kick drum while retaining more of the warmth in the track.
-
7:45 The Loud Hi-Hat
See how to tame a specific overly loud instrument in the mix to hopefully blend it in better with the rest of the track.
Chapter 4 : Mid Side Processing and Phase
-
6:00 MS Intro
Michael introduces the concept of MS processing, showing some plug-ins that exploit it and pave the way for the tutorials that follow.
-
6:38 MS Fix Imbalance
Learn how to rebalance the left and right of your lopsided mix without adversely affecting the center.
-
14:22 MS Widening
Explore making a mix wider, first by using widening plug-ins, and then by manually tweaking your own MS processor.
-
9:29 Phase
Learn about the issues faced when an element in a mix has phase issues.
Chapter 5 : More Mix Fixes
-
7:35 Vinyl Considerations
Discover the things you need to keep in mind if your intended medium is vinyl.
-
12:55 The Flat Mix #1
Watch Michael deal with a problem mix that lacks punch and excitement.
-
19:45 The Flat Mix #2
The second of our flat mixes is a bigger challenge - an old bedroom mix that is too boomy and too bright while still lacking depth and impact.
Chapter 6 : Stems and Mastering
-
11:08 Stem Mastering Pt. 1
See Michael introduce the concept of mastering with stems, explaining some of the many advantages as well as showing two different ways of creating the stems.
-
14:24 Stem Mastering Pt. 2
Now watch Michael process the stems individually to create a better final master.
-
25:29 Mastering Session
See Michael put together many of the things already learned and run a fictitious compilation mastering session to get numerous disparate tracks to gel.
Product Overview
This new series from studio wiz Michael Costa shows you the basics of mastering in your computer using typical plug-ins, and how to address many common issues found in recordings, as well as as more advanced techniques to solve other trickier problems, and get your songs and productions sounding their best!
Michael starts off with an introduction to mixing "in the box" as well as a video on what happens during mastering and why. He then dives in and shows you the basics plug-ins used for mastering and how to apply them and when. Michael then reveals ways to solve common problems with your mixes, such as harshness, thumpyness, and the all invasive loud hi-hat mix.
Next you’ll explore Mid Side Processing and how to apply it to your masters, and more common problems with mixes and how to fix them. Wrapping it all up Michael reveals how to create Stems and how they can make for better masters, and how to setup and execute a compilation mastering session.
If you’re new to mastering in your computer, this series is an absolute must see. Take your songs and productions up a notch with high quality mastering today… Watch “Mastering in the Box Explained®” now!
Why Users Choose Us
There are many things our users love about Groove3, but a couple always stand out at the top when asked why people choose us as their learning resource.
Quality Content
We meticulously craft professional quality tutorials that are thoughtful, informative and done with attention to detail. We stand behind our products with a 100% satisfaction guarantee and are trusted by 1000s of users every day.
Save Time & Money
Our library brings over 1700 hours of quality instruction to you fingertips and we release new content every week. Don't waste your valuable time scouring the web for information you may never find or is cumbersome to use and potentially can't be trusted.
Reviews
Submitted 5 months ago
Fantastic tutorial, just one problem.
Really great stuff, worth watching multiple times. The only frustrating thing is that Michael talks a lot over the audio examples, making it hard to hear the subtle changes he's talking about. It would be better to do all the explaining first, than just let the music play to hear the diffences.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Cubase
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 5 months ago
Extremely Helpful
Great for me since I don't have access to all the great hardware available to achieve a great sounding master. Highly recommended! Thanks Guys!
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 9 months ago
Very useful!
I felt that this series clearly and concisely went over the many different elements that go into mastering, and then put them together with reasonably real world examples. It kept a great balance between the forest and the trees, going into detail where necessary but not losing the conceptual essences of the overall process(es).
I am a: Semi-Pro, Professional, Musician, Audio Engineer, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
New to mastering but this is bringing together many concepts
Some words you hear floating around like MS and phase. Great explanation and examples of mastering mentality.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 1 year ago
Very good
im so happy
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Truly about the best I’ve looked at on Mastering
I really enjoyed the examples not only showing how and what needed addressing but also why. Then a solution not only how and why but also options for what could be done. A truly excellent explanation albeit having been done some time ago. Loved it.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Very helpful
learned a lot of new tracks for mastering
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 2 years ago
Excelent
Great video series, full of all the information for mastering.
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 years ago
Great Video!
This is a wonderful start to mastering in the box! The teacher is great and his videos are very purposed and focused. Further, there is some added benefit here from his use of differing plug-ins. The only reason that it isn't five stars is that it is getting a little long in the tooth (totally not the instructor's fault) but, Ozone 8 is 10x more powerful than Ozone 5 five was, with a few more tricks.... (as an example) Also, I feel that there are two things that would help if they ever re-visit this series - 1. Getting different media in the box can cause problems (i.e. you're mastering a 10 track album, but some are digital, some are two inch and there is a DAT thrown in there kinda thing... 2. At the very least, audio restoration tools needs to be addressed or glossed over - most mastering engineers I know get most of their money re-mastering. Which often times means restoring an archived track/lost demo etc, then mastering....
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Audio Engineer, Acid, Logic Pro
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Submitted 3 years ago
Well above average and worthwhile study.
I love the clear explanations and theories. Exploration of alternative methods and various relatively common plug ins. The author builds a good foundation and expands from there. I also like the "open minded" explanation of different needs and methods for our times. IE: single releases and considerations for streaming vs. old school album mastering etc. Good stuff, thanks!
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Mixcraft
Ease of Use Quality of Videos Value of Training Access to Videos
Reviews
Submitted 5 months ago
Fantastic tutorial, just one problem.
Really great stuff, worth watching multiple times. The only frustrating thing is that Michael talks a lot over the audio examples, making it hard to hear the subtle changes he's talking about. It would be better to do all the explaining first, than just let the music play to hear the diffences.
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Cubase
Submitted 5 months ago
Extremely Helpful
Great for me since I don't have access to all the great hardware available to achieve a great sounding master. Highly recommended! Thanks Guys!
Submitted 9 months ago
Very useful!
I felt that this series clearly and concisely went over the many different elements that go into mastering, and then put them together with reasonably real world examples. It kept a great balance between the forest and the trees, going into detail where necessary but not losing the conceptual essences of the overall process(es).
I am a: Semi-Pro, Professional, Musician, Audio Engineer, Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Pro Tools
Submitted 1 year ago
New to mastering but this is bringing together many concepts
Some words you hear floating around like MS and phase. Great explanation and examples of mastering mentality.
Submitted 1 year ago
Very good
im so happy
Submitted 2 years ago
Truly about the best I’ve looked at on Mastering
I really enjoyed the examples not only showing how and what needed addressing but also why. Then a solution not only how and why but also options for what could be done. A truly excellent explanation albeit having been done some time ago. Loved it.
Submitted 2 years ago
Very helpful
learned a lot of new tracks for mastering
Submitted 2 years ago
Excelent
Great video series, full of all the information for mastering.
Submitted 3 years ago
Great Video!
This is a wonderful start to mastering in the box! The teacher is great and his videos are very purposed and focused. Further, there is some added benefit here from his use of differing plug-ins. The only reason that it isn't five stars is that it is getting a little long in the tooth (totally not the instructor's fault) but, Ozone 8 is 10x more powerful than Ozone 5 five was, with a few more tricks.... (as an example) Also, I feel that there are two things that would help if they ever re-visit this series - 1. Getting different media in the box can cause problems (i.e. you're mastering a 10 track album, but some are digital, some are two inch and there is a DAT thrown in there kinda thing... 2. At the very least, audio restoration tools needs to be addressed or glossed over - most mastering engineers I know get most of their money re-mastering. Which often times means restoring an archived track/lost demo etc, then mastering....
I am a: Semi-Pro, Musician, Audio Engineer, Acid, Logic Pro
Submitted 3 years ago
Well above average and worthwhile study.
I love the clear explanations and theories. Exploration of alternative methods and various relatively common plug ins. The author builds a good foundation and expands from there. I also like the "open minded" explanation of different needs and methods for our times. IE: single releases and considerations for streaming vs. old school album mastering etc. Good stuff, thanks!
I am a: Hobbyist, Musician, Producer, Mixcraft
1. When did you start dabbling in music?
I was classically trained in piano from the age of 7 and had a strong obsession with popular music right throughout my youth. I played keyboards in various rock bands in the mid 80's but found a pronounced leaning towards the technology and computer side of music as samplers and computers became more attainable in the late 80's.
2. What training have you had?
In 1989 I completed my Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Music Technology from La Trobe University in Melbourne, Australia. Much of my tech knowledge in those pre-internet days came from devouring issues of Keyboard, Mix and EM - monthly, without fail.
3. When did you get into recording?
I started getting into recording in 1984 with a Tascam 244 4-track cassette system. In 1989 I moved to a Digidesign Sound Tools II system - a true random access 2 track editor - and that was the beginning of a long association with Digidesign products. I married this hardware up to Opcode's Studio Vision for many years as well as getting in at the ground floor with Pro Tools v1 in 1991. I've been a Pro Tools user since then right up to the current day.
4. People you have worked with/for?
I've been lucky enough to work with a huge cross section of talent within the Australian music scene. Names like: INXS, Little River Band, John Farnham, Kasey Chambers and Richard Clapton. Plus music editing on breakout movies like Shine and Strictly Ballroom with Oscar nominated composer, David Hirschfelder.
5. Why are you so good at training people?
I think I'm good at training because I really love this stuff - I genuinely want to show people how cool these tools are. Even as a fully grown adult, I still find myself getting excited like a little kid about the magic we can do with our systems these days and wondering how far it can go in the years to come. I hope that enthusiasm is contagious!
Products by Michael
-
tutorial videoAuto-Tune 7 Explained
Officially authorized by the makers of Auto-Tune, Antares Audio Technologies, this collection of video tutorials will leave no Auto-Tune 7 question unanswered. Shot with Auto-Tune 7, the series contains in-depth video tutorials running over 2 1/2 hours in length.
-
tutorial videoBuilding a DAW Mix Template
Studio wiz Michael Costa brings you in-depth video tutorials focused on building an awesome mixing template for your DAW. See how professionals get a mix done with this time-saving practice that allows you to concentrate on the mix!
-
tutorial videoDSP Quattro Explained
DSP Quattro offers a unique way to process and edit audio and build CDs. In this comprehensive video tutorial series, studio expert Michael Costa unlocks the secrets of DSP Quattro and gets you running with this powerful studio tool.
-
tutorial videoKush Plug-Ins Explained
Do you use Kush Audio plug-ins? Well, DAW guru Michael Costa is back and this time he is taking on Kush Audio's UBK-1 motion generating compressor and the Clariphonic dual channel parallel EQ. Michael breaks down the interfaces and how these two amazing, analog sounding plug-ins can be used on several different types of instruments.
-
tutorial videoMastering in the Box Explained
This new series from studio wiz Michael Costa shows you the basics of mastering in your computer using typical plug-ins, and how to address many common issues found in recordings, as well as as more advanced techniques to solve other trickier problems, and get your songs and productions sounding their best!
You might be also interested in
Gary Hiebner brings you in-depth Studio One mastering video tutorials! If you're new to mastering in Studio One, these videos will get you started and well on your way to producing professional sounding masters using nothing but Studio One. You also get the stereo mixes and Studio One projects used in the videos so you can follow along on your computer. These videos are designed for those new to mastering and using Studio One to master their projects.
The All-Access Pass gives you just that, instant online access to every single video tutorial currently on the site and any ones that get added during your membership.
This digital book introduces the techniques and tools of audio mastering, suitable for commercial and home/project studio environments. Technical discussions address gear, studio setup, methodologies, goals, and other considerations for making tracks sound their best, individually and in relationship to other tracks.
Gary Hiebner presents in-depth Digital Performer videos on mixing and mastering! Learn the first steps to take when getting ready to mix and master in Digital Performer, as well as more advanced workflows and tips & tricks. These Digital Performer tutorials are for those just starting out to mix and master with DP, as well as for more intermediate Digital Performer users.
In this Groove3 video tutorial series, mixer pro Fabio Lendrum shows you how to mix an electronic music production using UAD Plug-Ins! See it come together from scratch using a few stock DAW plug-ins and a collection of amazing UAD plug-ins to create a killer mix. The session files for the track are also included so you can follow along and make your own mix.
LA Mastering giants Lurssen Mastering presents a FREE, insightful and fun series on what makes Mastering tick, according to pro mastering engineers Gavin Lurssen and Reuben Cohen. Shot in a question / answer format, watch as these talented mastering engineers pick questions out of a hat and answer them honestly in 60 seconds, based on their many years of experience working with artists like Queens of the Stone Age, Miranda Lambert, T Bone Burnett, and productions like Thor, Black Panther and many more.
Desktop Mastering is a conceptual guide, intertwining a broad range of knowledge regarding audio engineering principles and practical applications for those wishing to enhance their own as well as their clients' work.
In Beyond Mastering, Steve Turnidge pulls back the veil to give a tour of the physics and philosophy driving the mastering engineer, and the internal state required for happiness and success.
Adam Pollard aka Multiplier, delivers a mastering video tutorial series designed for the beginner, covering the important topics needed to master your music in Ableton Live! Learn the basic principles and terminologies, as well as specific steps to take to get great sounding master files that you can publish to the world.
Pro music producer and engineer Laurence Holcombe takes you on a mastering journey with iZotope Ozone 8! See and hear how Ozone 8 can be used in numerous different ways to improve your mixes, as well as see it in action, mastering a wide variety of different genres of music.
iZotope guru Scottie Dugan reveals the new iZotope Ozone 8 mastering suite with in-depth video tutorials, covering all the hows and whys, including practical applications. See what this comprehensive collection of audio processing tools can do for you and your audio!
FREE VIDEO SERIES! iZotope Ozone 7 Elements has answered your call for a simple, professional sounding mastering solution for your DAW! Follow along with iZotope expert Scottie Dugan as he walks you through this amazing mastering tool.
Do you have a killer EDM song that’s ready to go, but needs that extra something before it’s ready for all the world’s dance floors? In this video tutorial series dance music guru Laurence Holcombe shows you how to polish your dance track, giving it that extra pump and sheen to really stand out amongst the sea of EDM tracks.