Courses

Degree Level Programs Professional Course Programs Pro Producer Courses Mixing and Mastering Courses Music Business Courses Logic Courses Ableton Live Courses Cubase Courses Native Instruments Courses DJ Courses

Audio Mastering Course

Overview

Do you want your tracks to compare favourably with the ones you hear on radio, in clubs and on playlists in public places etc? If so, the Audio Mastering Course is the finishing touch you are looking for. It is designed to help you develop/tune your ears, find out about mastering EQ, compression (including multi-band), limiting, mid/side processing and more. It makes sense to learn how to master your own tunes and get the results you need every time. We have based this course on Waves plug ins but they are not necessary to gain benefit from this course. The skills you absorb can be applied to any mastering software such as Brainworx, Sonnox and Ozone. The Audio Mastering course has been developed by Doug Shearer (mastering engineer for Jamelia, Gorillaz, Kasabian) and JC Concato (mix engineer for The Cure, Erasure, US3) with contributions from top industry professionals, Jim Lowe (producer/engineer for Stereophonics, The Charlatans) & Bunt Stafford Clark (mastering engineer for Thom Yorke, Manic Street Preachers, Aloe Blacc).Demonstrated by a professional mastering engineer at the top of his game who works with top acts in the best mastering studios in London, this thorough, in depth and expert analysis of mastering is the culmination of your musical journey: the art of mastering is revealed!

Includes a minimum of 480 mins video / 8 x DVR™ (1-2-1 video feedback)/ 8 hours live masterclasses /1 year access / over 160 pages of course notes / 24/7 access to forum / exclusive audio resources to download. Optional: sign your track to Point Blank Music distributed by iTunes, beatport, Juno Download and Amazon.

"Mastering is one of the most important stages of the production process and we're delighted that Point Blank have gone with Waves as their plugins of choice”
Gilad Keren, Waves Audio CEO

Preview

Content

Week 1: What Is Mastering?

Mastering process: should I master while I mix?
What is mastering? A brief history
Perception, psycho acoustics, octaves, dBs
Speaker designs & monitoring environment
Levels (Fletcher-Munson); perceived vs absolute

Week 2: Digital Theory

Digital audio, Sample rate, bit depth
Metering: VU & peak, phase, spectrum analyzer
Preparation: file format, sample rate, bit depth
Project set-up and management
Introduction to plug-ins: a typical chain

Week 3: EQ

Spectral content: identify the bands
EQ designs: analog & digital
EQ types: filters, peaks and shelves
Corrective EQ
Creative EQ

Week 4: Compression

The role of compression at the mastering stage
Compressor designs & parameters
Typical uses of compression
Limiters at the mastering stage
Brickwall and the war of loudness

Week 5: Practical Dynamics

How EQ & compression interact
Understanding transients; how to control them
Corrective techniques
De-essers
Parallel compression

Week 6: Mastering in Action

Demonstrations in various different music styles
Instrumental dance
Electronic with vocals
Rock/live
Acoustic

Week 7: Advanced Techniques

Dealing with problematic mixes
Multi band compression: strengths and uses
Stereo width: tools and techniques
Mid/Side approach: EQ, volume and dynamics
Use of reverb at mastering

Week 8: Working on Albums, Compilations

Album vs compilation; a different approach
Editing: fades, cross-fades, gaps
Level and tonal coherence
CD (red book, PQ coding, ISRC)
Preparing master for pressing plant

Click for free course sample

Reviews

ROBERT YOUNAN

Course rating: 10/10

really exciting course , have learned so much. thanks for everything.

Pan Lemos

Course rating: 10/10

The course was comprehensive and started with highlighting basic room acoustics then moved on to the principles of mastering, fleshing them out with relevant information and showing how they might be applied in practice. The information was well supported by the tutors who answered questions in the forum and tried their best to be supportive. I felt the course was really useful to me, I enjoyed it and I am glad I took it.

Wojciech Lotz

Course rating: 10/10

Amazing course, I'm really glad I decided to take it. I definitely feel that my tracks are going to sound better (they actually do ;) Doug is a great tutor, his video reviews were very detailed and helpful. I wanted to take this opportunity to say CHEERS Doug, it was great to work with you!

Cristian Jones

Course rating: 10/10

Wow! Just amazing what PB teachers created with an online program such as this. Many (myself included) think that Mastering is a dark and mysterious art, but PB has nailed it to the best ways of understanding the art of mastering as well as stating that quality comes from practice, not a plug - in. Many thanks to all in PB for creating a "simple" way to "uncover" and teach us what many never want to share and keep as "secrets". Information and knowledge should be for everyone. Cheers!

Flynn Nolan

Course rating: 9/10

Absolutely great material. Learned a TON!

Back to program

Program details