Chapter 1: Basics
Chapter 2: EQ, Dynamics and Dither
Chapter 3: Fixing the Mix
Chapter 4: Mid Side Processing and Phase
Chapter 5: More Mix Fixes
Chapter 6: Stems and Mastering
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 1500 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 2 months ago
Very helpful
learned a lot of new tracks for mastering
Submitted 4 months ago
Excelent
Great video series, full of all the information for mastering.
Submitted 5 months 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 5 months 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
Submitted 8 months ago
Want to understand the fundamentals of mastering?
This course is still relevant, even though the plugins are a bit dated. After all, mastering is not about the plugins. Overall, a well-paced and informative course.
I am a: Studio One
Submitted 1 year ago
Very good!
Excellent tutorial! Michael really know what he is doing. A great profesional as well as instructor!
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Logic Pro
Submitted 1 year ago
Beyond the call of duty
Knowing the process from studio to the market place is so important. The sum total helps me plan my recordings on another level. Thanks for sharing this very important information.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Logic Pro, Pro Tools
Submitted 1 year ago
Excellent tutorial.
A good starting point for beginners and intermediates. But there's always something new to be learned.
I am a: Professional, Musician, Producer, Audio Engineer, Logic Pro
Submitted 1 year ago
Aesthetically Dated But Timelessly Relevant
The plugins and software used might seem a bit 'dated', but the principles in this course are relevant to every genre and iteration of the software mastering process. Recommended, no matter your DAW or plugins, for the foundation information included in the course.
I am a: Hobbyist, Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer, Beat Maker, Audio Engineer, Sound Designer, Ableton Live, Logic Pro
Submitted 2 years ago
Ok, not a complete master tutorial
Great tutorial but never spoke much at all on loudness for commercial application that everyone strives for. For master tutorial you'd think they would. Or I'm missing something here.. Have to seek better explanation.
I am a: Hobbyist, Semi-Pro, Musician, Producer
Response from Customer Service:
Although the loudness is achieved through compression and limiting (which are certainly covered in the tutorial), mastering is much more than the 'loudness wars' that commercial music engages in. This tutorial will show you the full spectrum of mastering so that your projects are not just loud but professionally finished.
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
Presonus master Marcus Huyskens brings you in-depth coverage of the new advanced features found in the new Studio One version 4 update! Watch, learn and hear what the latest goodies from Presonus can do for you and your creative process.
Studio guru Marcus Huyskens presents an in-depth video series designed for the beginner to intermediate Pro Tools 2018 user! Learn Pro Tools Native or HD from the ground up, all the way to exporting your masterpiece, for all the world to hear.
Ableton Live 10 Certified instructor Scottie Dugan brings you awesome videos designed for beginner to intermediate Ableton Live 10 users. Learn to get going with Live 10, understand its main features and functions, as well as get more advanced topics and creative ideas. If you’re new to Live 10, this is the series to watch!
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.
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!
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.
FabFilter makes the best possible tools for music production and audio processing, and Groove3 makes the best videos for FabFilter plug-ins! Follow along as studio guru Mark Struthers takes you through the FabFilter Mixing and Mastering plug-in suite, step by step, with excellent audio examples so you hear what they all can do.
Apple Logic Certified Pro Eli Krantzberg has created the single most comprehensive Logic Pro X video tutorial collection available. At over 5 hours, Eli gets the new Logic Pro X user up and running fast, while providing a deep understanding of Apple's new flagship DAW. If you're ready to learn Logic Pro X, this is the best way to learn it.
If you produce and mix music, you’ve got to understand how compression is the glue holding everything together. In this all new, in-depth video tutorial series, studio expert Dave Askew teaches you everything you need to know about compression from the beginning to end.