Why You Need A Mastering Engineer & How To Find The Right One

What the hell is a Mastering Engineer you ask? Well, you’re not alone!

Surprisingly, 80% of clients that walk through my doors are not entirely sure what it is that a Mastering engineer does! They know that Mastering is something vital to the end result of their project but don’t entirely understand what exactly entails in the process of mastering and finding the right mastering studio for the job!

Over many years I have used an array of talented mastering engineers and it is true that most engineers can master any track. However I have found that when a mastering engineer really understands the genre you’re sending them or furthermore, really enjoys the genre, you will always yield superior results.

At Spike Leo Studio’s our in-house Mastering Engineer has proven time and time again as one of my favourites in the industry right now. I have worked with mastering engineers overseas and in Australia and time and time again I have always received outstanding results from Nicholas’ compassionate, skilful and caring nature when it comes to giving constructive feedback and earth shattering masters.

I was recently lucky enough to sit down with Nicholas DI Lorenzo from Panorama Mastering and have a chat and debunk the uncertainty of what mastering really entails.

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So tell me mate, what is a mastering engineer and what do they do? 

For me, a mastering engineer helps mediate the space between the sound you've nurtured in the mix and how that is prepared and represented on the final files which are then distributed to digital platforms (Spotify, Apple Music etc); duplicated on CD or pressed to vinyl.

Why Is mastering a track important? 

Mastering helps listeners experience your music as it was intended to be. Whilst working on a mix and production; it can be an exciting time; focused on the vibe; cranking the speakers, and exploring your sound. You can spend hours, days or weeks working on material in spaces which are familiar to you. But what about when it goes out into the world?

Will the things that kept you rolling in the studio; that big sub, the clear vocals through your monitors or headphones; translate favourable on consumer systems?

That's where mastering comes into play; working in an acoustically neutral space; an audio microscope so to speak; the mastering engineer gets a full and accurate picture of what's going on in the sound and is able to prepare it so in the real world; that energy you loved and put together in the studio; also translates to someone on a pair of ear-pods or laptop speakers.

What should I look for when choosing a mastering engineer? 

COMMUNICATION! For the most part, every mastering engineer has their own strengths and weaknesses; but the one thing which is most critical when finding a mastering engineer; is finding one you can dialogue with; and get on the same page about where you're trying to take your music.

Mastering ITB or using hardware? What's better? 

I love using hardware; I love working ITB too, the only differentiating factor as to which one is "better" is what WORKS!

(In The Box meaning, just on the computer using plugins)

Anything else you want to add? 

People hype mastering up a lot to be the be-all-end-all for a music project; the reality is; it's the music that matters most, don't forget that.

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Whichever way you look at it, you need to find someone you can feel comfortable with and be honest with. Over time as you build a relationship with your mastering engineer they will understand more and more your taste and what results you are after.

It’s taken a few years for me as a producer to find someone who clicked for me as a mastering engineer but happily I stumbled across Panorama Mastering and thankfully, haven’t looked back.

At the end of the day, as mentioned above by Nicholas, it’s all about the music. No mix or master will savour a poor written/recorded song! But create a killer song and an excellent mix and master will give it the best fighting chance in an over-crowded pool of music to shine!

Best of luck!

Spike Leo