Editing Mastering (audio) (section)

{{Short description|Form of audio post-production}}
{{Use American English|date=February 2020}}

[[File:Reel-to-ReelTapeBigHub.agr.jpg|thumb|[[Magnetic tape]] was commonly used to create master copies.]]

'''Mastering''', a form of [[audio post production]], is the process of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source containing the [[Audio mixing (recorded music)|final mix]] to a [[data storage device]] (the [[Master recording|master]]), the source from which all copies will be produced (via methods such as pressing, duplication or [[Replication (optical media)|replication]]). In recent years, [[digital master]]s have become usual, although analog masters—such as audio tapes—are still being used by the manufacturing industry, particularly by a few engineers who specialize in analog mastering.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thevinylfactory.com/features/analogue-digital-vinyl-mastering-interviews/ |title=What's actually going on when people talk about digital vs. analogue masters|date=18 October 2017 }}</ref>

Mastering requires critical listening; however, software tools exist to facilitate the process. Results depend upon the intent of the engineer, their skills, the accuracy of the speaker monitors, and the listening environment. '''Mastering engineers''' often apply [[Equalization (audio)|equalization]] and [[dynamic range compression]] in order to optimize sound translation on all playback systems.<ref name="mixmagazine" /> It is standard practice to make a copy of a master recording—known as a safety copy—in case the master is lost, damaged or stolen.