An Introduction to CD Mastering

While many people think that the mixing of the separate audio tracks is the final step, a recording must be mastered well in order to sound good. CD mastering is the last chance for creative input when creating a compact disc. After a disc is mastered, it can be printed, reproduced, and sold.

The process of mastering a CD includes several steps. The first step is putting the songs, called tracks at this point, in order. Next, the volume is leveled for all of the songs. The length of time between songs is also adjusted, and any editing on the intros and ends of the songs (such as fades and crossfades, etc.). Also, any unlisted, secret songs, usually known as hidden tracks, are added at this point.

There are several ways to master a CD. First, the mix can be sent to a professional CD mastering engineer, which is what professional musicians with major recording contracts usually do. These mastering engineers often work in their own mastering facilities, which are different from standard recording studios, in that they have much less gear and are designed for the best playback of the mix as possible in order to fix any slight discrepancies.

Aside from professional CD mastering engineers, CDs can be mastered at home using computer software. This option is usually more realistic for unsigned artists or musicians who are just starting out. Depending on the quality of the software and the skill of the person doing the mastering, the CD may sound great or it may sound muddy and unprofessional.

Online CD mastering is another option. CDs mastered online can be a great time-time, in that, instead of sending a mix to a mastering engineer, the mix is sent over the Internet. This option requires a high-speed Internet connection.

Free CD mastering is obviously the cheapest way to master a CD. Artists may want to use free mastering programs on demos or other early recordings that artists use to send to record labels to generate interest. Many CD burning programs included on many computers can be used to do basic but necessary mastering functions.

The difference between a professional sounding CD and an amateurish recording is often found in the mastering. All of the songs played on the radio are extensively mastered in order to sound slicker and more listenable.

CD Mastering Info provides detailed information on CD mastering engineers, facilities, and software, as well as online and free CD mastering. CD Mastering Info is affiliated with Original Content.

In The News:


Google News
Updated : Sat, 30 Aug 2008 00:25:40 GMT

Microwave baby killer convicted - BBC News


BBC News
Microwave baby killer convicted
BBC News - 3 hours ago
A US court in Dayton, Ohio, has convicted a mother of murdering her one-month-old daughter by burning her to death in a microwave oven.
Video: Prosecutor: Ohio Mom Killed Baby in Microwave AssociatedPress
US jury convicts mom in microwaved-baby case International Herald Tribune
ToTheCenter.com - WZTV - NBC6.net - Dayton Daily News
all 689 news articles

Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 20:30:22 GMT

US Economy: Spending Slows, Inflation Accelerates (Update1) - Bloomberg


Washington Post
US Economy: Spending Slows, Inflation Accelerates (Update1)
Bloomberg - 6 hours ago
By Shobhana Chandra Aug. 29 (Bloomberg) -- US consumer spending grew at a slower pace in July as the impact of the tax rebates faded and a pickup in inflation eroded Americans' buying power.
Bonds fall on mixed economic reports CNNMoney.com
Consumer spending flags, but confidence rises Reuters
Wall Street Journal - New York Times - MarketWatch - AHN
all 520 news articles

Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:25:06 GMT

Obama’s Plane Palin Problem - FOXNews


BBC News
Obama’s Plane Palin Problem
FOXNews - 2 hours ago
by Major Garrett Reporters covering Barack Obama heard the news aboard Obama 1 (the campaign for the first time chartered a second plane for the swelling press corps), just before takeoff.
Video: Raw Video: Schwarzenegger Praises Palin kcratv
“Tougher in Alaska” host Geo Beach discusses Sarah Palin Christian Science Monitor
CBS News - Chicago Tribune - The Star-Ledger - NJ.com - Seattle Post Intelligencer
all 5,468 news articles

Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:07:29 GMT

Aid agencies scramble to help flood victims - CNN


CBC.ca
Aid agencies scramble to help flood victims
CNN - 39 minutes ago
(CNN) -- The grinding misery triggered by the massive floods in a downtrodden part of northeastern India and across the border in Nepal persisted Friday, with government and aid agencies swinging into action to help the 2 million-plus people fleeing ...
India: Up to 2000 feared dead in Bihar floods guardian.co.uk
Millions displaced in Bihar floods PRESS TV
Reuters India - CNN International - New York Times
all 551 news articles

Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:45:57 GMT

Boeing union leaders recommend strike - MarketWatch


Washington Post
Boeing union leaders recommend strike
MarketWatch - 1 hour ago
By MarketWatch Leaders of the International Machinists and Aerospace Workers on Friday rejected Boeing's third and final contract proposal and recommended its workers vote to go on strike.
Union Leaders Reject Boeing Contract Offer Wall Street Journal
Boeing Union Urges Workers to Reject Offer, Setting Up Strike Bloomberg
Bizjournals.com - guardian.co.uk - The Associated Press - TheStreet.com
all 1,041 news articles

Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 23:15:15 GMT

Protests Rise in Thailand In Challenge to Regime - Wall Street Journal


GulfNews
Protests Rise in Thailand In Challenge to Regime
Wall Street Journal - 1 hour ago
By JAMES HOOKWAY and STEPHEN WRIGHT BANGKOK -- Waves of antigovernment protests spread beyond Thailand's capital Friday as clashes between police and demonstrators intensified, forcing the closure of several regional airports and disrupting rail ...
Thai protest alliance not so happy with democracy The Associated Press
US asks Thailand to end crisis through democratic means AFP
New York Times - BBC News - guardian.co.uk - Reuters
all 2,421 news articles

Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 22:33:23 GMT

Earwax: Too Much of a Good Thing? - WebMD


eFluxMedia
Earwax: Too Much of a Good Thing?
WebMD - 5 hours ago
By Kelley Colihan Aug. 29, 2008 -- The body is a miraculous mechanism. Consider the once-lowly earwax. People used to try to remove it.
Leave That Ear Wax Alone Washington Post
National Guideline Against Ear Poking eFluxMedia
MSNBC - RedOrbit - MedPage Today - eMaxHealth.com
all 36 news articles

Publ.Date : Fri, 29 Aug 2008 18:32:14 GMT

Data Feed Content for Web Pages
Amazon RSS Feed Generator


PARLOT::Ebooks, Scripts, Websites, and more...

Adsense websites

Silent Discos!

The press have reported this week that silent disco's are... Read More

Who?s Playing What? A Guide To The Guitars Of The Pros

Eric Clapton performs his slow-handed magic on his. Even with... Read More

Creating Within Limits

When I first started playing the piano I wanted to... Read More

Getting Rhythm - Three Tips for Guitar Beginners

If you are just starting out learning guitar one of... Read More

How Much of Your Potential Will You Release?

Do you ever feel there is an inner voice speaking... Read More

What is Guitar Tablature and Can I Find It Online?

The guitar is one of the most popular musical instruments... Read More

Guitar Practice (Part 2) - Does Practice Make Perfect?

You've probably heard the saying "practice makes perfect" and it... Read More

5 Sure Fire Ways to Get Radio Play for Your ?Independent? Music!

You have to find radio airplay time if you're going... Read More

Learn to Fiddle the Orange Blossom Special, the Most Popular Fiddle Tune in the World

Learning to fiddle the Orange Blossom Special is not easy,... Read More

Make Money with Your Music ? the Top 5 Ways

Songwriters dream of making their living by writing, and sometimes... Read More

So You Wanna Learn How To Start a Record Label?

Well, you love music so much that you have decided... Read More

3 Secrets To Understanding What Makes Music Tick

It's no secret that virtually everyone loves music in some... Read More

Why Play Guitar?

As a full-time guitar instructor, I am constantly faced with... Read More

Health and Beauty Tips for Your Brass: Keep It Shiny!

Did you know that the health and beauty of your... Read More

RAP Music and Brain Washing Issues

I am not sure if anyone has been watching out... Read More

Internet Jams

Today's technology for the recording musician has been getting better... Read More

Play Too Loud And Well Cut The Power!

"Turn it down!"How often have you heard that command in... Read More

Creating Caverns - an Improvisation Exercise

In a recent post to my Yahoo group, I mentioned... Read More

Wal-Mart Music Downloads, Napster and Other Legal Digital Music Download Sites

Digital Music Download. Ever since file-sharing programs entered the hard... Read More

Guitar Practice - Make It Your Priority!

Every student realizes that guitar practice is important if they... Read More

Your PC Is An Awesome Singer... If You Let It!

As an amateur songwriter, who struggles with a computer far... Read More

Mp3s ? The Future of Music?

Mp3 music is audio that has been digitally encoded and... Read More

New Age Piano and Improvisation

There are so many areas in life where one must... Read More

Review: Medications - All Your Favorite People In One Place

One of the most intriguing aspects of music is how... Read More

Piano Lessons Can be Fun!

There are essentially two ways to learn piano - note... Read More