This article will discuss what your master track’s waveform should look like.
A mastered track refers to a final mix of a recording that has undergone the mastering process. Mastering is the final stage in a music track’s production and involves adjusting a mix’s overall sound to improve its quality and consistency.
The mastering process can involve equalization, compression, stereo enhancement, volume leveling, and other techniques to enhance the sound and ensure the track is ready for release. The goal of mastering is to produce a high-quality, polished final mix that will sound good on various playback systems, from headphones to large speaker systems.
A waveform is a graphical representation of the sound pressure levels of a song over time. In a waveform, the audio signal’s amplitude (or volume) is plotted on the vertical axis, and time is plotted on the horizontal axis.
It provides a visual representation of a song’s dynamics and overall structure. It can help identify different sections of a song, such as verses, choruses, and bridges, and reveal how the levels of different elements of the mix, such as vocals, drums, and guitar, change over time.
A waveform can also provide useful information for mastering and mixing. For example, it can help identify clipping (distortion caused by the audio signal exceeding the maximum level), balancing issues between different elements of the mix, and areas where the audio levels are too low or too high.
What should my mastered track’s waveform look like?
The waveform of your mastered track must peak at about -2 to 0 decibels or touch the ceiling at some point. If it’s a modern pop, EDM, hip-hop, or Rock production, the waveform should be dense/cluttered to the ceiling, especially around the busiest or most active parts of the song.
Ideally, a mastered track’s waveform should be consistent, with a clear separation between the different elements of the mix and a balanced dynamic range. The waveform should reach near the maximum level without causing clipping while still having enough level in the quietest parts of the track to remain audible.
In terms of specific genre expectations, a waveform for a mastered track in a genre such as pop or rock should have a tight and punchy low end, with well-defined basslines and drums. The mid-range should be clear and focused, with prominent vocals or lead instruments, and the high end should add sparkle and detail to the mix.
For a genre such as classical music, the waveform should have a more spacious and dynamic feel, with a wide range of levels reflecting the intricate balance between the orchestra’s different sections. The more cluttered the waveform is at the ceiling, the higher the energy. Hence, the waveform is determined or gives an idea of the song’s dynamics.
For acoustic, classical, or orchestral arrangements, the waveform may peak at the ceiling at only a few points and may not be as dense as dance and hip-hop songs with more energy.
Regardless of genre, the waveform of a mastered track should reflect the overall energy and vibe of the music, with a clear and well-defined structure that sounds great on various playback systems. With careful attention to detail during the mastering process, you can achieve a waveform that is ready for release and meets your creative vision for the track.
What should my mixed track’s waveform look like?
Ideally, a mixed track’s waveform should be balanced and consistent, with a clear separation between the different elements of the mix and a dynamic range that reflects the energy and vibe of the music. It should have a good enough headroom and not peak at the ceiling.
In a well-mixed track, the different elements of the mix should have appropriate levels, with the vocals and lead instruments prominently featured and the drums and bass providing a strong foundation. The waveform should also clearly distinguish between the song’s different sections, such as verses, choruses, and bridges.
Additionally, the waveform should show a good balance between the different frequency ranges, with a clear and focused mid-range, a tight and punchy low end, and a high end that adds sparkle and detail to the mix. Here’s a comparison between the waveform of a mixed track and mastered version of the song Dream Girl by babyface.
What should a mastered track peak at?
A mastered track should generally peak at around -0.5 dB to -1 dB relative to full digital scale (0 dBFS). That provides enough headroom for the music to be played back on various systems without causing clipping or distortion. Lastly, the True Peak level mustn’t exceed -1 dBTP.
True Peak (TP) measures the maximum level a sound can reach after digital processing, such as dithering or sample rate conversion. In the mastering process, a True Peak meter is used to measure the True Peak level of a sound and ensure that it does not exceed the maximum allowed level.
This helps ensure that the sound will be consistent and high-quality on various playback systems and that the track will sound the way it was intended when it is played back on different systems. However, it’s important to note that the exact peak level for a mastered track can vary based on the specific needs of the music and the desired sound.
For example, a track in a genre known for having a high dynamic range, such as classical music, may peak at a lower level. In contrast, a track in a genre known for having a more compressed and energetic sound, such as dance or electronic music, may peak at a higher level.
The goal of mastering is to balance the levels, enhance the overall sound, and ensure that the track is ready for release. The peak level is just one of many factors that should be considered in the mastering process, and it’s important to work with a professional mastering engineer with the expertise and experience to help you achieve your desired sound.
Shaurya Bhatia, is an Indian Music Producer, Composer, Rapper & Performer, who goes by the stage name MC SNUB, and is also 1/2 of the Indian pop music duo, called “babyface”. A certified Audio Engineer & Music Producer, and a practicing musician & rapper for more than 6 years, Shaurya has worked on projects of various genres and has also been a teaching faculty at Spin Gurus DJ Academy.