Prepare the final master and handoff.
Mastering controls final loudness, peak headroom, optional reference matching, and production output. Set it after the mix is stable and against the specification of the actual destination.
Mix before you master
Mastering cannot repair an unclear voice, poor timing, an unlicensed asset, or a bad music edit. Complete the creative and mix pass first, then use mastering for final consistency and delivery constraints.
Loudness and true peak
| Control | Purpose | Decision source |
|---|---|---|
| Apply loudness | Enables target-based loudness processing. | Destination or campaign requirement. |
| Target LUFS | Sets the intended integrated perceived loudness. | Publisher, DSP, broadcast, or ad-platform specification. |
| True peak | Limits inter-sample peak risk and preserves headroom. | Encoding and delivery requirement. |
Do not assume one universal target. A podcast, digital audio platform, ad exchange, and broadcast chain can require different values.
Choose the reference mode
- None — use loudness and mix settings without tonal matching.
- Preset or available reference — use an approved production direction supplied by the workspace.
- Custom — upload a suitable WAV or MP3 reference when that option is available.
A custom reference should be a technically sound example of the desired tonal balance, not merely a favorite song. The upload UI accepts supported WAV/MP3 sources within the displayed size limit.
Preview the final chain
- Save or allow current project changes to autosave.
- Choose HQ preview in Mix.
- Render the current variant.
- Listen for speech clarity, pumping, distortion, and abrupt edits.
- Compare level and tone against the unmastered or None preview.
- Adjust the source mix when the problem belongs to a lane or clip.
Choose an output format
| Format | Best use | Check |
|---|---|---|
| MP3 | Review, lightweight transfer, or destinations that explicitly require compressed audio. | Sample rate and bitrate. |
| WAV/PCM | Production master, archive, transcoding, or platform handoff. | Sample rate, bit depth, and channel expectations. |
| AAF | Moving the editable audio arrangement into a compatible DAW workflow. | Media references, clip positions, fades, and downstream compatibility. |
AAF handoff
Use AAF when a sound engineer needs timeline-level material rather than only a finished master. After export, open the package in the target DAW and verify media relinking, clip start times, duration, fades, and the intended sample rate before continuing production.
Master delivery checklist
- Approved mix — timing, balance, and assets are final.
- Loudness — target comes from the booked destination.
- Peak — headroom survives the required codec.
- Reference — matching improves rather than harms clarity.
- Format — technical settings meet the specification.
- QC — the exported file was opened and heard end to end.