How do you become a Mastering Engineer
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Posted on Nov 16, 2010 08:21 pm
drewskers
Aspiring Engineer
Member Since: Jan 04, 2009
This isn't a post asking for a step by step guide on how to master my home demo, or which plugins or outboard gear i should get. I would like to know how do you start off in mastering? I know it partly is about having top of line gear, and that it requires YEARS of experience. However I'd like to know what should be the first steps in that direction. I know having an intimate knowledge of how the electronics or algorithms of different pieces of gear and plugins interact and effect the audio signal would be absolutely vital, so how would I go about learning those types of things? Should I take electronics classes to better understand schematics? Any advice would be greatly appreciated, I can't seem to find any info on this other than "how to make your home recording sound loud" or some other meaningless swill.
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J-botByte-MixerMember
Since: Dec 04, 2007
Nov 16, 2010 09:45 pm Bearing in mind I'm no mastering engineer, and I'm not sure if anyone else around here besides Massive Master is considered one, but:
That is a very difficult question to answer, and I think it varies from person to person. I think many people go to some recording school and start out in the field as mixing engineers/recording artists if they are good enough, and interning at an existing studio. Others (if they have the money for it) will end up building their own studio. Usually these are project studios, and nothing like a mastering facility. Eventually they figure things out and move in the direction of mastering, or sometimes they will find a mentor and learn the tricks of the trade.
I'm not really sure there's such a thing as "Mastering school"
I do know that having a well-designed and properly treated room along with having an absolutely superb monitoring chain/system is paramount. And, of course, having a good set of ears is fairly important. I know it's been mentioned that a mastering engineer might make adjustments in the amount of tenths of decibels to get it just right. Having a setup that allows you to make those kind of calls is important.
I think, if I were to call mixing/recording an art. Then mastering is that art turned science. Mastering is very analytical in nature. And the mastering facility could be thought of as a lab with the sound being a contaminant that must be controlled in a way that is helpful to the engineer.
Anyway, I think I rambled out of the direction I was meaning to go. First steps: I'd say learn acoustics, room design, why sound behaves the way it does, learn your gear, what it's capable of, learn how to calibrate your equipment/monitoring chain to the room. As for how to go about learning how to do all that, some of it could probably be learned in recording schools....the rest by reading books on the subject. I think a mentor (if you can find one who is willing to take on a protege) would be invaluable.
I think MM mentioned an opinion about taking on interns some time in the past. He had an interesting take on it, but I can't remember the discussion.
Yeah, I probably don't know what I'm talking about here heh.
Hopefully one of the pros will chime in with some ideas on the subject. You might also try starting a similar topic over at tweakheadz forums.
Good luck!
Nov 16, 2010 11:11 pm All I can suggest is to listen to recording after recording after recording or varying qualities. Amazing audiophile stuff, horrible garage band stuff, everything in between - on the best possible playback system you can in the best possible space you can.
That's going to help in any audio situation. Doesn't matter if you're a tracking guy, a mixing guy, mastering, even live sound.
Obviously, learn your tools as best you can. Again, it's going to benefit whatever you're doing. This is all "basic training" for the most part.
But "starting off in mastering..." I attended dozens of sessions for recording clients before the studio owner "forced" me (at considerable protest, I might add) into mastering. That said, it all worked out in the end I suppose, but it was a pretty long and drawn-out process to start listening "through" audio instead of listening *to* the audio (if that makes sense).
One thing I can tell you NOT to do -- Experimenting with tools is fine on specific sources. But don't try to develop your "mastering ear" on your own material. It won't happen. Without objectivity, you have nothing. And you won't have that objectivity on familiar material. The point of the processing portion of the mastering phase is to listen briefly and *know* -- within seconds -- the settings that the mix requires to get from point "A" to point "B" (I don't even listen when making those settings - Too confusing). When you start listening again, you start tweaking. Sure, that last 10% takes 90% of the time. But without that all-important objectivity, the *first* 10% might take 100% of the time.
With very familiar material (especially your *own* material), there's usually a connection between the mix you're hearing and the mix your brain "wants" to hear. With unfamiliar material, at least you can tell the difference between the two.
Otherwise - I still sort of miss tracking and mixing. Still do occasionally and I have to say that I DON'T miss the "drama" of the recording studio life.
What was the question again...?
Quote:
How do you become a Mastering Engineer
I don't think I know a single mastering engineer that actually set out to be a mastering engineer. Other than being in fear of losing my job at the time, I don't even know if I'd have actually chosen this route on my own...
Jan 09, 2011 08:27 am Hi there, many mastering engineers used to work in other areas of engineering before they started their mastering careers. I used to work in broadcast, recording 100's of music sessions straight to stereo which gives you a good grounding in sound balance.
There are many paths and do not discount other engineering jobs whilst you pursue your goal.
cheers
Barry
Low cost, professional online mastering :
www.masteringmastering.co.uk
