Mastering software is used in the process of audio mastering.
Mastering is the process of editing the final stereo waveform. Mastering software is used during the final phase of editing a two-channel waveform of digital audio. Structuring the songs of an album into a desired order, balancing frequencies, placing pauses in between songs, and burning a master copy to disk are all apart of audio mastering. Professional music editing software offers powerful tools for editing a digital audio waveform using compression, expansion, limiting, equalization, and many others – plus support for many third-party plugins. Signal and audio effects processors, are the tools used for polishing your song into a tonally balanced, commercial product.
Additional digital audio tools are often included with a mastering software package. Common extras include:
Rip (Tracks from a CD onto a digital media player)
Convert (Digital audio files from one format to another)
Compress (Compress digital audio files into a smaller, more flexible format)
Decompress (Expand compressed audio files to enhance sound quality and
range)
Mastering programs are usually standalone applications, and are available on any platform. In comparison to (the almost outdated) reel-to-reel tape, music software is the reason for now being able to master a final production from your home recording studio at a reasonable price.
Happy Home Recording!
James
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