Mastering Processing

Could the difference between conventional studio outboard and mastering-grade processors be purely down to their price tags? Mark Cousins finds out...

Adedicated mastering facility remains one of the most prestigious and expensive elements of the audio-production chain. Packed with rare and esoteric equipment, these studios can turn the most lifeless of mixes into a master that plays well in every conceivable situation – in other words, a master you’d be happy to put your name to! However, despite sharing many of the same types of processors as you’d find in a conventional studio (namely, EQ, compression and limiting), the design of so-called ‘mastering-grade’ processors remains markedly different from their studio counterparts. So, what are these differences, and how do they contribute to the overall result?

This feature first appeared in Music Tech Magazine issue 42
Filed under General Features, Ten Minute Masters

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