Mastering Your Track

Welcome to Chapter 7 of the FL Studio Cookbook, where we delve into the intricate art of mastering—the final and crucial stage of music production. In this chapter, we will explore the techniques and recipes that will elevate your tracks to their full potential, ensuring they stand out in the competitive music industry.

Mastering is where your music comes alive, achieving clarity, balance, and impact. You’ll learn how to harness the power of EQ, compression, and limiting, as well as other advanced mastering techniques such as stereo enhancement, harmonic excitement, and dynamic control. We’ll also discuss loudness optimization, spectral balancing, and preparing your mix for commercial release. This chapter is designed for intermediate and advanced users, providing you with the knowledge and tools needed to take your music to the next level.

We will cover the following recipes in this chapter:

• Mastering your track, including EQ...

Technical requirements

• FL Studio software (version 20 or above)

Mastering your track, including EQ, compression, and limiting

In the world of music production, mastering is the final frontier where your track transforms from a rough gem into a polished masterpiece. This recipe will guide you through the essential mastering techniques of equalization (EQ), compression, and limiting. These three tools are the foundation of mastering, enabling you to enhance the overall sound and dynamics of your tracks, ensuring they stand out in the mix and sound great on various playback systems.

Getting ready

• Your final mix: Before you can master your track, you need a well-mixed version of it. Make sure you’ve thoroughly mixed your song, addressing issues such as balance, panning, and levels.
• Digital audio workstation (DAW): You’ll require a DAW capable of handling audio plugins. FL Studio, our trusty companion, will work perfectly.
• Mastering plugin chain: Prepare a mastering plugin chain in your DAW. This typically includes an...

Exporting your track

Now that your final mix sounds polished and professional, it’s time to export it properly to prepare for distribution. This recipe will guide you through the process of exporting your track from FL Studio, ensuring it’s in the right format, has the correct metadata, and maintains the highest audio quality. Proper exporting is essential to ensure your music sounds its best on various platforms and devices.

Getting ready

• Mastered audio file: You should have a fully mastered version of your track ready for export. This is the version that has undergone the EQ, compression, and limiting processes.
• Desired audio format: Decide on the audio format you want to export. Common choices include WAV, MP3, and AIFF, depending on your distribution needs.
• Bit depth and sample rate settings: Determine the appropriate bit depth and sample rate for your export. These settings affect the audio quality of your track. Usually, the sample rate of the...

Using reference tracks to compare your mix to commercial tracks

One of the most valuable tools in a producer’s arsenal is reference tracks. These are professionally mixed and mastered songs that you use as a benchmark for the quality and balance of your own mix. In this recipe, we’ll explore why using reference tracks is crucial and how you can effectively integrate them into your mixing process in FL Studio. By comparing your mix to commercial tracks, you’ll be better equipped to make informed adjustments and achieve that professional, polished sound.

Getting ready

• Your mix: You should have a well-mixed version of your track ready for comparison.
• Reference tracks: Choose two or three commercial tracks in a similar genre and style to your own mix. Ensure they are high-quality recordings with excellent production values.
• Digital audio workstation (DAW): FL Studio is your platform for this recipe.

How to do it

1. Import your reference...

Tips for achieving a professional master

Achieving a professional master is the culmination of your music production journey. It’s the final step that transforms your mix into a polished, commercially competitive product. In this recipe, we’ll delve into essential tips and techniques to help you elevate your mastering process within FL Studio. By following these guidelines, you’ll be well-equipped to produce professional-grade masters that stand out in the music industry.

Getting ready

• Mastered mix: Ensure you have a well-mixed and balanced version of your track ready for mastering.
• Digital audio workstation (DAW): FL Studio is the platform for this recipe.
• High-quality monitoring: Reliable studio monitors or headphones are essential for precise listening. Choose what will be the most affordable and comfortable for you. You can search on the internet.
• Mastering plugins: High-quality EQ, compression, and limiting plugins are crucial for the...

Preparing multiple versions of your master for different platforms

In today’s diverse music landscape, it’s crucial to cater to various distribution platforms and formats. Each platform has its own set of requirements and standards, and creating a one-size-fits-all master won’t always yield the best results. This recipe will guide you through the process of preparing multiple versions of your master in FL Studio, ensuring your music shines on every platform, from streaming services to vinyl records.

Getting ready

• Mastered mix: You should have a polished, professionally mastered version of your track ready for the export and adaptation process.
• Digital audio workstation (DAW): FL Studio is the platform for this recipe.
• Reference Material: Familiarize yourself with the specific requirements and standards of the platforms and formats you’ll be targeting.

How to do it

1. Identify target platforms and formats:

   Determine the platforms...