Tools & Equipment
The tools of the trade, yes we finally get to the components of audio mastering that is responsible for enabling audio mastering engineers to go in and do their thing pressing buttons, turning some knobs, & adjusting some sliders.
First the speakers of course are very important an the mastering studio will usually have a set pair of different size speakers located in precise locations in the room. We can start with the biggest types of speakers that are like club or concert speakers that have huge sub woofers. Everything on these speakers are basically big in order to fill big spaces with sound. Then we have the regular domestic size speakers that are the size of a typical home stereo system. This will give the sound of how someone will hear the music in a home or apartment. Finally we have the smaller monitors which cover the sound output of something like car speakers or a boom box radio.
Now we have the playback equipment which can be a computer program on a computer hooked up to the studio amplifier system for waveform analysis & other visual elements that the audio will effect. Depending how the mix of the song is delivered whether it is a audio file in WAV, MP3, or AIF, the DAT, Ampex 2inch reel to reel tape, or cd, the mastering studio usually is equipped with the ability to playback most of these forms of the recording. These are the formalities that have to be made clear between the artist an the mastering house to be sure they are compatible to be able to work together.
The audio processing equipment is the biggest importance to the mastering process or else all you have without them is a fancy place to listen to music but can't sculpt the sound. The audio processors come in many forms an these will be discussed in another portion of this website.
Let's not forget the mastering studio furnishings such as the stands, tables, chairs, the multiple colored wires, and racks. Everything comes together to compliment each other to create a professional studio that is well organized an ready to be used for it's intended purpose. To polish all those masterpieces for worldwide release.
ost