AI Mastering Checklist Before You Release a Song
Confirm the mix export is mastering-ready
Avoid slamming a loud maximizer across your master bus before mastering. Leave clean headroom so mastering can shape tone without fighting excessive limiting artifacts.
Check that fades and final reverbs are printed the way you intend. Mastering rarely fixes broken fades.
Set realistic loudness expectations
Streaming platforms normalize playback loudness. Extreme brick-wall limiting often reduces punch after normalization.
Prioritize punch and dynamics that survive normalization rather than peak loudness alone.
Stereo image and mono compatibility
Listen in mono and verify lead vocal, snare, and bass remain stable. If hooks disappear in mono, fix width sources before calling the master done.
Watch low-end stereo widening. Wide subs often cause translation problems on phones and laptops.
Final translation passes
Run quick checks on earbuds, phone speaker, car, and monitors if available. Pay attention to vocal intelligibility and harsh syllables.
Compare with a trusted reference at matched loudness and take notes rather than reacting to raw volume differences.
FAQ
Should I master MP3 or WAV?
Master from the highest-quality mix export, typically WAV at the native sample rate. Encode MP3 or AAC after mastering for distribution.
How loud should my master be?
Prioritize sound quality over numbers. Use integrated loudness as a guide, but trust translation tests more than a single LUFS target.
Can AI mastering replace a human mastering engineer?
It can produce solid commercial loudness and tonal balance for many releases. Complex albums with sequenced dynamics may still benefit from human judgement.
What is the biggest mistake before mastering?
Handing off an over-limited mix with no headroom. Mastering needs room to shape tone and dynamics without amplifying distortion.