I wanted to write a quick article about "one minute mastering." Before everyone gets on my case quoting Ludwig and Katz and tell me how music is being destroyed - let me explain: There are many situations where you don't need a full mastering job done on a song but you need it to sound more complete for listening purposes. (For those new at this: Mastering is the final stage of the audio recording process where the final mixed stereo tracks gets sonically prepared for duplication and competitiveness in the marketplace.) A one-minute mastering will not replace a complete mastering job, but you you may want to quickly prep your mixed song to listen to the mix beside other songs, to send a rough cut to someone or to even upload demos to the web.Here's how to apply a quick mastering finish in 60 seconds or less:
Either import your stereo mix into your software of choice or for a quicker option, apply these effects across the master bus (main output) of your mixing software. Set your master fader to zero.
Step 1: 20 seconds - Insert a Limiter in the last possible effect input (to leave room for others before). Make sure it is set to 0 (zero peak) for the threshold. Play back some of the song and pull up the input just until you see that it is constantly applying limiting. (Most software limiters have a meter showing this) Then playback your loudest part listening to make sure it is not distorting the sound and back off on the input if it is.
Step 2: 20 seconds - If the music is Pop, Hip-Hop, R & B or even most Rock, you'll want some compression too. Add this as your first insert. Apply 4:1 compression as starters and then add the gain back in until it's pushing up to your zero master fader again. Because of the limiter you still should see no clipping.
Step 3: 20 seconds - Insert a multiband parametric EQ just before the Limiter and do two things: A. Roll off the bass frequencies below 40 Hz using a low shelf / hi-pass eq (these frequencies are often problematic whether you hear it or not on your speakers - we are just talking safe and quick here.) B. Listen to the high frequencies and add a high shelf, edging it up just a little until the top end really shines and makes it sound like you are filling the full frequency spectrum.
These steps are not intended to replace experienced, careful mastering, but will at least make sure your final volume and tone are in a decent range for listening. A great plug in for mastering is Izotope Ozone 4. If you are pressed for time you could even cut your 60 second mastering down to about 15 seconds by using the Ozone 4 quick and easy presets. Again, it's not professional mastering until you apply more time, skill and creativity but it's quick and will be better than nothing, as long as you use your ears as you proceed.
