You Do Get Options For Your New CD Mastering Project
The last step to preparing a CD DVD for replication is not actually the mixing of the tracks
. The recording as a whole needs to be mastered in order to gain the best quality sound CD mastering is your last chance for creative input when you create a compact disc. When you finally have your master disc is when you will be able to print, replicate and then market it.
The process of mastering a CD actually involves several steps. The first step is putting the songs, or tracks at this point in the correct order. Editing the songs is required as is setting the length of time between tracks. If you have secret or unlisted songs then these are added at this point as well.
There are several different methods you can use to master a CD. It's not the cheapest option but many choose to use professional CD mastering engineers.
Mastering engineers generally work in their own facilities which are usually different to normal sound studios with much less equipment. Everything is designed specifically to get the best possible playback so any errors can be corrected.
Aside from mastering engineers, CDs can also be mastered at home using computer software. This option is normally more realistic for unsigned artists or musicians who are just starting out with their music. Some skill and knowledge will be required as will quality software in order to get a professional sounding mix.
Online CD mastering services are now available with the advancement of Internet technology. CDs that are mastered online can be great, as instead of sending a mix to a mastering engineer, the mix is instead sent via the Internet. To do this, you'll need a high speed Internet connection.
Free mastering is of course the cheapest way to go when you need to master a CD, Artists and musicians may choose to use free mastering programs with demos or other earlier recordings that artists will use to send to major record labels to generate some interest in their music.
The difference in quality between recordings usually comes down to the mastering. When you listen to a tune on a radio you can be sure that it has been mastered to sound better.
While you can master using free programs on your computer, a professional CD mastering engineer is normally the best way to do business if your band is looking to make a profit from your music.
You Do Get Options For Your New CD Mastering Project