In Advanced Audio/Music Mastering: Theory and Practice, you will develop your analytical and practical skills to be able to tackle the demanding signal processing challenges presented to professional mastering engineers. You will learn theory and techniques to deliver high-quality masters in a variety of genres, for various platforms, including vinyl, lossy codecs, and streaming platforms. You will also learn to analyze audio according to its technical attributes and musical style. You will evaluate audio according to audience and market expectations; then develop and execute strategies to adapt mixed audio to fit those expectations, and learn to output flawless masters for various distribution channels.
By the end of the course, you will be able to:
- Create flawless masters for various distribution channels
- Synthesize mastering strategies to solve signal-processing challenges
- Select techniques to deliver high-quality masters
- Properly analyze audio according to its technical attributes and musical style
- Evaluate audio according to audience and market expectations
- Develop and execute strategies to adapt mixed audio to fit those expectations
Syllabus
Lesson 1 Platform Analysis of Fs, Bits, Level, File Type, and Codec
Lesson 2 Analysis of Musical Examples According to Aesthetic and Technical Benchmarks
Lesson 3 Processing Choices, Types, and Sequencing
Lesson 4 Sonic Adventures in Mastering, Nonlinear Processors, Audio Repair, and File Delivery
Lesson 5 High PSR: Mastering Classical, Chamber, and Symphonic Programs
Lesson 6 Medium PSR: Mastering Acoustic and Electric Jazz and Singer/Songwriter
Lesson 7 Higher Integrated LUFS: Mastering Rock
Lesson 8 Even Higher Integrated LUFS: Mastering Modern Pop
Lesson 9 Mastering EDM and Preparing for Delivery
Lesson 10 Final Project Week 1
Lesson 11 Final Project Week 2
Lesson 12 Archival, Restoration, and Automated Mastering
Requirements
Proof of a Bachelor’s Degree
Proof of a bachelor’s degree is required to enroll in this non-degree, graduate-level course.
Prerequisites
- Completion of Audio Mastering Techniques and Advanced Mixing Techniques equivalent knowledge and experience is required.
- Take the Audio Mastering self-assessment to determine your level.
Required Textbooks
Recommended Textbooks
Software Requirements
Hardware Requirements
Hardware Recommendation
General Course Requirements
Instructors
Jonathan Wyner
Author
Jonathan Wyner is an associate professor in the Music Production and Engineering department at Berklee College of Music and owner of M Works Mastering Studios in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Throughout his career, he has worked with artists both well-known and more esoteric, including James Taylor, David Bowie, Aerosmith, Kiri Te Kanawa, Pink Floyd, Cream, Richard Stoltzman, Miles Davis, Nirvana, Aimee Mann, Juliana Hatfield, Tiny Tim, Snakefinger, John Cage, and Rahsaan Roland Kirk. Wyner mastered the first interactive CD game (“Play It by Ear”), the first recorded opera (“Madame Butterfly,” recorded in 1912 by the BBC), and what’s believed to be the longest CD (80:32 for Razormaid Records). He holds a bachelor’s degree in French horn and composition from Vassar College.
