Mastering In Pro Tools

Produced by Multi-Grammy Award winning Mastering Engineer Phil Magnotti, this tutorial shows you how a world-class Mastering Engineer creates BIG sound.

Given the deep-insider Mastering concepts and secrets revealed in this title, this tutorial is suitable for people working with any DAW, from Pro Tools, to Logic, Live, and beyond.

"Pro Tools 401: Mastering in Pro Tools" begins with an actual mix. Phil begins the tutorial by cleaning-up a mix and preparing it for the mastering process. Along the way you'll learn valuable skills like how to prepare and bounce stem files, and even how to properly calibrate your monitors so you know you're hearing the sound the way you should be!

Next, Phil takes you through a few of the indispensable tools he uses in his Mastering workflow. From there you'll move on to explore Peak limiting, dithering and Noise Shaping in full detail.

You've heard that compression is the center-peice of all audio mastering, but you've probably spent a lot of time wondering why. Wonder no longer, because Phil next takes you on a tour de force through the process of properly compressing the dynamic range of your master. You'll learn how to use standard and multiband compression, how to us Mid/Side compression, and a few other valuable tips like using de-essers and Dynamic EQ.

Towards the end of the program, Phil gets into the nitty-gritty of using Filters and EQ, analyzing signal flow and plugin chains, simulating the analog sound of tape, and then burning your final master disc.

Table of Contents: 01. Introducing Phil Magnotti 02. Why Master? 03. Fix it in the Mix (If You Can) 04. Cleaning up the Mix 05. Preparing the Bounce and Stem FIles 06. Bounce to Disk 07. Bounce to Disk Settings Explained 08. Starting a PT Mastering Session 09. Routing the Tracks 10. Testing the Track Routing 11. Calibrating Your Monitors 12. Calibrating the Balance of Your Monitors 13. Import the Bounced Files into the Mastering Session 14. A Quick Look at the Files 15. EQ Overview 16. 7-Band Parametric EQ Part 1 17. 7-Band Parametric EQ Part 2 18. The JOEMEEK VC5 Program Equalizer 19. The Pultec Program Equalizer 20. Mid/Side or Mono/Stereo Equalizers 21. Compression Overview 22. A Look at some Compressors 23. Peak Limiting Overview 24. A Look at some Peak Limiters 25. Signal Flow and Peak Limiting 26. Limiting with Dithering and Noise Shaping 27. Multiband Compression Overview 28. A Look at a Multiband Compressor 29. Using a Multiband Compressor 30. Multiband Compressor Techniques 31. Working with Linked Bands 32. Multiband Expansion Overview 33. Upward and Downward Expansion 34. A Look at Mastering Presets 35. Mid/Side Compression Overview 36. Mid/Side Compression 37. Mid/Side De-esser 38. Mid/Side Dynamic EQ 39. The Order of Mastering Plugins 40. Hardware Inserts 41. High Pass Filter Techniques 42. A Note about Assessing Projects 43. Mid/Side EQ Techniques 44. Mid Range is Key 45. Low Mid Notching 46. Automating the Mastering Plugins 47. Using a Low Mid Dynamic Equalizer 48. Full Band Compression 49. Simulating Analog Tape Part 1 50. Simulating Analog Tape Part 2 51. Setting Up the Peak Limiter 52. Comparisons to a CD Track 53. Analyzing Clipping 54. Comparing the Mastered Waveforms 55. Final Master of Song 1 56. Final Master of Song 2 57. Matching Songs from Different Studios 58. Final Export before Sequencing 59. Import of FIles into Jam 60. Sequencing the Songs 61. Song Spacing 62. Working with Crossfades 63. ISRC Overview 64. Final Level, CD Text, and PQ Codes 65. Burning the Disc