H85.1060 Production 2 Credits
Instructor(s): Silverman
Mastering is the last creative step of production and the first technical step of manufacturing, broadcast, or distribution. Record labels demand proper mastering to insure that their product holds its own in the marketplace. Producers and artists insist that none but the most qualified ears master their music. Now, with the rise of music downloads, Internet radio, high-resolution discs, and many other forms of distribution, a solid understanding of mastering techniques and new media is vital to the music professional. The course will endeavor to illustrate the powers of mastering as well as its limitations. A wide range of processing techniques and advanced editing methods will be demonstrated and compared. Tools of the trade will be surveyed with emphasis on what distinguishes gear as truly "mastering grade." Critical listening and the psychoacoustics of decision-making will be explored. Students will do their own mastering on material supplied by the instructor, as well for each other's music, for critiques and comparisons. Attention will also be given to how to prepare for a professional mastering session and how to interact with the mastering engineer.
