La-CDHunter
Master Engineers Add The Finishing Touches To A CD
By: LA HunterA single or album master is produced from the final stereo mixes created at a recording studio. This CD master will then be used at the pressing plant for a number of duplications. The specialist skills possessed by master engineers are required for the production of a CD Master. One should be aware of the various aspects of producing a CD master, to appreciate the amount of work that is involved.
There are many opinions on how a CD should be mastered, some people prefer that the volume of the CD master should be loud, while others feel that it is more important to preserve the natural dynamics of the music. Each method has a different effect on the outcome of how the CDs will sound.
Dynamic CDs have wide dynamics but less volume while loud CDs have more volume resulting in a narrow dynamic range. It is a good idea to instruct the mastering engineer of your preferences, whether you want your CD loud, dynamic, or set at a customized level.
A good studio should provide a balanced and accurate listening environment where one can hear clearly, and be able to compensate for any flaws in the recording process. Often, first time listeners can contribute a good perspective to a project, when everyone else is focusing on details and losing sight of the overall context.
The following factors should be considered:
Noise reduction
It is possible to erase unwanted noises such as clicks, crackles, hiss, buzz or pops that happen in the digital realm without detrimental effect to the music. Each noise is tackled with a different process.
Having said that, one should bear in mind that care must be taken not to create artifacts in the music while removing unwanted noise. The human brain is the best noise reduction processor and discretion should be adopted when to stop being too fussy. It so happens that some of the very subtle noises create a certain character and feel to the recording and are best left unedited.
Compression
By the application of compression the active range of the input signal being converted will be reduced causing louder sounds to be quieter and, after running the gain stage, quieter sounds louder. Proper care must be taken during this stage, otherwise a good music track can be completely ruined. In the hands of an expert, compression will bring out the best in any mix.
Equalization
Referred to as EQ, it is used to change the spectral balance of the music by adjusting the low, mid and high frequency ranges. During equalization, the master engineer can alter a particular frequency without interfering with any others. EQ will bring out the individuality in each instrument, clear up muffled signals and distortion, as well as balance the album.
Level control
Leveling the volume of each track of an album is one of the more important tasks that engineers have to perform. An album must have a balance in volume to allow gentle numbers to blend freely with rollicking dance tunes. There should be no need to fiddle with the volume control, while playing an album. The one to determine the right volume level of a track should be the mastering engineer, who will set the volume level while maintaining the dynamics of the album.
Limiting
A limiter is used to raise the loudness of the music to the best overall level when the relative levels of the tracks have been balanced. Discretion needs to be exercised during this stage, otherwise the sound may become distorted.
PQing
PQing is the process of setting start and finish points to each track. Here spacing between tracks is adjusted for proper timing.
Having knowledge of the various aspects of producing a CD master will greatly enhance your prospects of being satisfied with the finished product.