Question about mastering

[DAmaditz]

Hi I'm not new to recording but I am new to post production skills like mastering. Some questions:

- Is it typical for each track within a song to be mastered and EQ'd separately BEFORE a general mastering of the song as a whole?

-Does mastering have to be done to the song as a whole if it was already done to each individual track within the song?

-Is mastering a recording generally a matter of compressing it and equalizing it appropriately? Are there other aspects to mastering besides these?

Sorry, I probably sound pretty green about it! Any information would be appreciated

[funsongs]

One option is to hire a mastering expert via airgigs.com (one of many such options); and you can get professional/broadcast quality done 'on the cheap';
very reasonable and competitive prices.

However - and it may have already been stated - mastering will NOT FIX a not-so-good mix.

Make sure your mix is the best it can be before getting the final master done.
To that end - if you have any questions or doubts - or, just want more EAR COUNSELORS -
the P2P board here is free, and you have access to many very-capable producers, for feedback, before you get your FINAL MASTER done.
HTH, good luck.

[andersenstorm]

I was 2020 at the same point. I recorded a whole CD with my songs, produced it all by myself. From the idea to the burning master for the CD press, no one was involved. All work, all money, and all decisions were on me. Related to the product, it could have be done much better. Considering the process, I couldn't have been a better learner. It's the hard way. Don't do that. I have now a box of CD's wrapped in plastic that no one wants to hear. But I know now, after all that experiences, improving your skills with the help of Taxi members and listeners is much more efficient. Learn to mix first. It's about balancing every instrument group to the other, left out loudness and overall sound. I use mix busses even for the sum. And if that is done use the master channel with all you need of the master plugin chain to let it sound like the sample you got from TAXI. That's it. The best for you.