How Long Should Mastering Song Take? – Answered

This article will discuss how long should mastering a song take. 

Song mastering is the final stage in the music production process, where the final mixdown of a song is refined and polished to achieve a consistent and balanced sound across all playback systems. Mastering ensures the final product sounds as good as possible on all listening devices, including speakers, headphones, and earbuds.

During mastering, an audio engineer applies various processing techniques to the final mix, such as equalization, compression, stereo imaging, and limiting, to achieve a cohesive sound. The engineer may also adjust the overall volume and dynamics of the track to make it more competitive in terms of loudness with other commercially released songs.

In addition to technical processing, mastering ensures that the song meets industry standards for various aspects such as frequency response, dynamic range, and overall tonal balance. The mastering engineer may also work with the artist or producer to ensure that the final product reflects their creative vision and meets their expectations.

Overall, mastering is an essential step in the music production process, and a well-mastered song can greatly enhance its chances of success in the music industry. Now let’s get to the main topic of discussion.

How long should Mastering a song take?

In general, mastering a single song can take anywhere between an hour and ten, based on the complexity of the project and the level of attention to detail required. For example, mastering the 5.1 surround system can take longer, and mastering AR/VR can take even more time.

Some mastering engineers may also offer rush services for an additional fee, which can expedite the process. It’s important to note that while time is a factor, quality should always be the top priority in the mastering process. Rushing the process or cutting corners can lead to a subpar final product. Working with a skilled and experienced mastering engineer who can deliver a high-quality final product within a reasonable timeframe is essential.

Mastering can be time-consuming, as it involves several steps that require careful attention to detail. Some steps that can take longer to master include the following. Listening to the mix is a critical part of the mastering process. During this stage, the mastering engineer will listen to the mix several times to identify any issues or areas that need to be addressed. Here’s a step-by-step breakdown of that process.

• Monitoring the mix

When listening to the mix, the engineer will typically use high-quality studio monitors or headphones designed to reproduce audio accurately. That lets them hear the mix in detail and identify sonic anomalies or issues. The engineer may also listen to the mix at different volume levels to ensure it sounds good across various playback levels.

They may also listen to the mix in different listening environments, such as a car or a home stereo, to ensure it sounds good on various systems.

During this process, the engineer may take notes or make annotations to help them remember any issues or areas that need to be addressed. They may also use specialized tools, such as spectrum analyzers or audio meters, to analyze the mix’s frequency balance, dynamic range, and other aspects.

Lastly, you can use plugins for different room emulations in your headphones. For example, NX by Waves is one such plugin.

It has various monitoring simulations from Shure, Sony, AKG, Beyerdynamic, etc.

The plugin has advanced camera tracking that emulates the monitors based on your head position.

Similarly, a Car Test plugin by Rocket Powered Sound emulates car speaker tests.

• Adding effects

Adjustments are critical to mastering, allowing the mastering engineer to refine the mix and improve its overall sound quality. The engineer will use various processing tools and techniques to change the mix during this stage. Equalization (EQ) is one of the most commonly used processing techniques in mastering.

It involves adjusting the balance of frequencies in the mix to improve its tonal balance and address any frequency imbalances or issues. The engineer may use EQ to boost or cut certain frequencies, such as boosting the low end to add warmth or reducing harshness in the midrange.

For example, Pro-Q3 (given below) by FabFilter is a great plugin for mastering, as it allows mid/side and left/right processing, dynamic EQing, and many more advanced features that make it suitable for mastering.

Compression is another common processing technique used in mastering. It involves controlling the dynamic range of the mix, making quieter parts of the mix louder, and reducing the volume of louder parts. That can help to create a more consistent sound throughout the mix and prevent distortion.

Limiting is a type of compression that prevents the mix from clipping or distorting when played back on different systems. The engineer may use limiting to raise the overall volume of the mix to be more competitive with other commercially released tracks. Still, it would help if you did that carefully to avoid excessive loudness or unwanted distortion.

Stereo imaging is another technique that can be used to adjust the stereo width of the mix. The engineer may use this technique to create a more spacious or immersive sound or to improve the clarity and separation of different elements in the mix.

• Referencing

Reference listening is an important step in the mastering process that involves comparing the mix being mastered to other commercially released tracks considered to be industry standards or benchmarks for sound quality. The goal of reference listening is to ensure that the mastered mix sounds good or better than other tracks that are similar in genre or style.

Mastering The Mix’s Reference plugin is a powerful tool for mastering that helps compare the frequency balance and loudness of a mix with reference tracks. To use the plugin, insert it on the master bus of your mix and load the reference tracks you want to compare.

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Use its Song 1/Song 2/Song 3 buttons to switch between your mix and reference tracks and analyze the differences in frequency response and loudness.

Use the level match and gain match options to ensure that your mix is at the same loudness as the reference tracks.

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The plugin also offers advanced features like filtering and soloing specific frequency ranges for detailed analysis.

During reference listening, the mastering engineer will typically compare the mastered mix to reference tracks using high-quality studio monitors or headphones designed to reproduce audio accurately. They may also listen to the tracks on different systems or in different listening environments to ensure they sound good across various playback situations.

The engineer may pay attention to various aspects of the reference tracks, such as the overall frequency balance, dynamic range, stereo imaging, and level of detail and clarity. They may also compare the loudness and volume of the mastered mix to the reference tracks to ensure that it is competitive with other commercially released tracks.

By comparing the mastered mix to reference tracks, the mastering engineer can identify areas that need improvement or adjustment to achieve a more competitive and polished final product. They may also use the reference tracks as a guide for adjusting the mix during the mastering process.

For example, a type of EQ called Match EQ allows you to fit the frequency spectrum of your reference song to your song with some additional controls. Below is the image of Match EQ by Izotope.

If you want to use Match EQ, open the plugin, and record your reference song by routing it to your mixer, applying Match EQ on it, and clicking “Capture” in the Reference tab. Then you can click the “Capture” button in the “Apply to” window, click the play button, and apply the spectrum to your mix. Further, you can customize the match’s extent by using the Fine Tune window.

• Feedback and revisions 

Client feedback is an important part of the mastering process, as it allows the artist or producer to provide input and guidance on the final sound of the mix. During the mastering process, the engineer will typically communicate with the client to get feedback on the mix and make any necessary adjustments.

The client may provide feedback on various aspects of the mix, such as the tonal balance, dynamic range, stereo imaging, and overall level. They may also provide feedback on specific elements of the mix, such as the vocals, drums, or bass, and ask for changes to achieve a specific sound or feeling.

The mastering engineer will typically consider the client’s feedback and use their expertise to make the necessary adjustments to the mix. They may also provide feedback to the client on any technical or artistic issues they identify and suggest ways to improve the overall sound quality of the mix.

In some cases, the mastering engineer may need to balance the client’s feedback with technical considerations, such as ensuring that the mix meets industry standards for loudness, clarity, and fidelity. The engineer may need to communicate with the client to explain any technical constraints or issues that may impact the final sound of the mix.

• Quality Control

Final quality control is a critical step in the mastering process that involves checking the final mix for any issues or errors that may impact the sound quality of the mix. This step is typically performed by the mastering engineer or a dedicated quality control specialist and involves a careful and detailed review of the final mix.

During final quality control, the engineer will typically listen to the entire mix from start to finish, paying close attention to the tonal balance, dynamic range, stereo imaging, and overall mix level. They may also listen for any technical issues or errors, such as clicks, pops, or distortion, that may impact the sound quality of the mix.

You can use plugins like X-click by Waves to eliminate any clicks or pops in your mix.

Similarly, the RX bundle by Izotope offers a suite of plugins for cleaning and refining audio and dealing with quality issues like background noise, clicks, pops, etc.

To ensure the mix meets industry standards for loudness, clarity, and fidelity, the engineer may also use various technical tools and techniques to analyze the mix, such as spectrum analyzers, phase meters, and level meters. They may also listen to the mix on different systems or in different listening environments to ensure it sounds good across various playback situations.

For example, SPAN is a free spectrum analyzer that you can use for its frequency spectrum analysis functions, correlation meter, dB RMS and True Peak ratings, and other metering functions.

Similarly, Waves InPhase is a plugin that can be used in mastering to correct phase issues that can cause phase cancellation and affect the clarity and definition of the mix. To use InPhase in mastering, insert the plugin on the master bus and listen for any phase issues.

Use the phase scope and correlation meter to identify the problematic frequencies and adjust the phase shift accordingly. The plugin also offers a delay slider that can be used to time-align tracks that are out of phase. By correcting phase issues, InPhase can help achieve a more focused and defined sound in the mix, resulting in a more polished master.

Suppose any issues or errors are identified during final quality control. In that case, the engineer will typically make the necessary adjustments to the mix and perform additional quality control checks to resolve the issues. Once the final mix has been approved, you can prepare it for distribution by creating high-quality master copies or uploading it to a digital distribution platform.

How do I know if my track is ready for mastering?

Before sending your track to be mastered, there are several things you can do to ensure that it is ready for the mastering process. Firstly, you should check the mix. That means critically listening to the track and ensuring all elements are balanced and harmonized.

It would help if you also ensured that the levels are consistent throughout the track, with no too loud or quiet sections. If there are any issues with the mix, you should try to address them before sending the track for mastering. Secondly, you should ensure that your track is in the correct format and quality for mastering.

For example, look at the following waveforms of a mix. The second waveform is not dynamic enough and hence has too much compression going on it. 

Typically, this means exporting the mix as a high-quality WAV or AIFF file at a sample rate of at least 44.1kHz and a bit depth of 16 or 24 bits. Ensure the file has no clipping or distortion issues and is properly labeled with the correct metadata. Finally, having a clear idea of what you want to achieve with the mastering process can be helpful.

The following image shows the right export quality/settings in FL Studio that I use for my mixes. You can have similar settings in your DAW.

That means thinking about the overall sound and feel of the track and any specific issues or elements you want to address. Communicating your goals and expectations with the mastering engineer can help ensure they can deliver the final product you are looking for.

Conclusion

To conclude, song mastering is the final and crucial step in music production, ensuring consistent and balanced sound across all playback systems. During mastering, an audio engineer applies various processing techniques to the final mix to achieve a cohesive sound, meet industry standards, and ensure the final product reflects the artist or producer’s creative vision.

Mastering can take anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on the complexity of the project and the level of attention to detail required. The mastering process includes several steps, such as listening to the mix, making adjustments, reference listening, and client feedback, which require careful attention to detail.

Ultimately, it is important to prioritize quality over time in the mastering process and work with a skilled and experienced mastering engineer who can deliver a high-quality final product within a reasonable timeframe. I hope this article was of help. Thank you for reading.