Yes ears and experience, therefore time, long time, especially with today's standards where everybody seems to be wanting to get results in the shortest possible time.
The original poster asked about using a comp first or an eq first. I am sure we are all happy to give an answer and yes there is nothing misterious in mastering.
Moreover we have all been at one point "beginners"
Experience is build up, created, formed with time. The question about what goes first in a chain (we know there is no set rule....) is applicable to mixing as well as mastering.
I am not saying that a mastering engineer should train as a mixing engineer first but those notions are at the base of engineering itself.
What I am trying to say here is that yes all questions are welcome but also that you cannot miracolously become experienced in one day.
Also it takes a bit of effor on your side as well: ask ,think, ask again, agree, disagree, go on try it for yourself, ask again, listen, read, research, do, undo.............
