What does it take?

[NotchontheRocks]

I couldn't decide whether this thread should be in the Mastering forum or the Newbie forum, but I ultimately decided that this is where to get the best advice from mastering engineers.

Anyways, I am currently taking a Mastering class before I finish up school. I never really considered getting into mastering until recently, but I kind of like it and might be interested in pursuing it. I just had a couple questions.

1) To become a mastering engineer, is it absolutely necessary to have an extensive tracking/mixing background also? I know MEs are supposed to know everything about mixing and tracking so they can pinpoint issues and get in the head of the mix engineer, but does this mean I cannot start out mastering at a young age and should just track and mix my way there?

2) Is it necessary to be a gear nut while pursuing a career in mastering? Don't get me wrong; I am knowledgeable enough to operate and understand pieces of gear. I've just never been as fascinated with exploring and/or purchasing pieces of gear as my peers are.

[Riccardo]

How did you become a Mastering Engineer?

Originally Posted by NotchontheRocks

I couldn't decide whether this thread should be in the Mastering forum or the Newbie forum, but I ultimately decided that this is where to get the best advice from mastering engineers.

Anyways, I am currently taking a Mastering class before I finish up school. I never really considered getting into mastering until recently, but I kind of like it and might be interested in pursuing it. I just had a couple questions.

1) To become a mastering engineer, is it absolutely necessary to have an extensive tracking/mixing background also? I know MEs are supposed to know everything about mixing and tracking so they can pinpoint issues and get in the head of the mix engineer, but does this mean I cannot start out mastering at a young age and should just track and mix my way there?

2) Is it necessary to be a gear nut while pursuing a career in mastering? Don't get me wrong; I am knowledgeable enough to operate and understand pieces of gear. I've just never been as fascinated with exploring and/or purchasing pieces of gear as my peers are.

[Fabmaster]

What school?
The mastering business is in deep decline.
Do something else.

[24-96 Mastering]

Originally Posted by Fabmaster

The mastering business is in deep decline.

Is it really?

[Virtalahde]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

Is it really?

Do you still have those food coupons?

[Fabmaster]

I would not recommend "audio mastering" as a career to
a young person finishing school.

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Originally Posted by Fabmaster

What school?
The mastering business is in deep decline.
Do something else.

I would not recommend "audio mastering" as a career to
a young person finishing school.

Not sure about "deep" but yes it is in decline in many parts of the world. And I too would not recommend a young person get into mastering right now as the field overcrowded and lots of people are having problems making the kind of money they made 10 years ago.

[Jerry Tubb]

I would "play the field" of audio and music for a few years, it's a great big world out there,

go enjoy yourself, try a little of this and that, and see what life presents you.

Consider this:

being good at operating a software such as Ozone does not a real mastering engineer make.

It's designed to be easy to operate, and get some "reasonable" results, for marketing purposes.

: - )

The only situation where I would recommend specializing in mastering at a young age (18-21), to the exclusion of everything else, is if your skills and natural talents are exceptional enough, that you're head and shoulders above everyone else in your worldwide peer group, and veteran advisors recommend it.

Areas of interest to consider (in no particular order):

music studies specializing in an instrument.
recording and mixing skills in both live and studio situations.
deep knowledge of audio theory.
working knowledge of audio electronics.
excellent ears & ear training
Wide range of gear curiosity and knowledge, and Why it sounds good.
Analog tape and vinyl interests
audio restoration
musical acoustics
good work ethic, and people skills.
Business skills and financial management
Avoid bad habits.
Willingness to intern / apprentice
Internet digital media "stuff"

Best Regards, JT

p.s. there again, you might defy the odds & prove all the above "wrong".

[JimFalzone]

I would try it out and if it's something that lights up your spirit, follow your heart. My own grandfather told me I would never make any money in the music business but I am so glad I didn't listen. I started mastering pretty young by interning at a mastering studio. I had very little tracking and mixing experience by the time I started mastering full time. I think the best way to learn mastering is to do it and learn from mistakes. I have screwed up a lot of records!

[Joe_caithness]

If you want to try being a mastering engineer, try being a mastering engineer. Just do it, I wouldn't waste your time analysing trolls posts on an internet forum, I would suggest trying to master some audio.

[Franco]

Originally Posted by NotchontheRocks

Who needs speakers anyways? I have a great pair of headphones.

I know you're being sarcastic, but one piece of advice I can give you is to not assume headphones aren't as important as speakers (most people who do this seriously have a great set of both). As a matter of fact, I would suggest you don't take on a condescending tone towards *any* audio tool as everything has a purpose (if not for you, perhaps for your clients and you have to respect that).

Don't pay too much attention to what you read on message boards, try things on your own and if it works for you - great. Ignore trolls who say you have to do something one way or another or who say one thing doesn't work simply because they haven't tried it themselves, and besides knowing about all stages of audio - personality is probably just as important as technical knowledge in this field (especially when you have to deal with artists who do everything themselves and who might have a "tender ego").

Good luck!

[NotchontheRocks]

Originally Posted by Franco

I know you're being sarcastic, but one piece of advice I can give you is to not assume headphones aren't as important as speakers (most people who do this seriously have a great set of both). As a matter of fact, I would suggest you don't take on a condescending tone towards *any* audio tool as everything has a purpose (if not for you, perhaps for your clients and you have to respect that).

Don't pay too much attention to what you read on message boards, try things on your own and if it works for you - great. Ignore trolls who say you have to do something one way or another or who say one thing doesn't work simply because they haven't tried it themselves, and besides knowing about all stages of audio - personality is probably just as important as technical knowledge in this field (especially when you have to deal with artists who do everything themselves and who might have a "tender ego").

Good luck!

Don't worry - it was purely sarcasm. I know a good pair of headphones is a useful and necessary tool. I'm definitely not one of those people who looks down on certain pieces of gear.

Thanks for the advice. I'll definitely keep it all in mind as I finish up school.