Mixing
Mastering at Home: A Realistic Chain, Step by Step
Mastering isn't magic — it's a short chain applied with restraint and honest referencing. Here's a realistic order that works on a finished, well-mixed track.
Prep and reference
Start from a mix peaking around −6 dB with no master limiter. Pick 1–2 commercial references in your genre and level-match them (A/B player) — your ears need the target before touching a knob.
Corrective EQ
Fix broad tonal tilts only: a 1–2 dB shelf if the whole track is dull or boomy, a gentle dip if 200–400 Hz is thick. If you're making narrow surgical cuts at mastering, go back to the mix.
Glue and color
A bus compressor with slow attack, auto release, 1–2 dB reduction max — you should barely see it move. Then a whisper of tape/tube saturation for density.
Limiting to target
One good limiter, ceiling at −1 dBTP, push gain until you hit your loudness target (−14 to −9 integrated depending on genre) or until punch starts dying — whichever comes first. Two limiters in series, each doing less, often sounds cleaner than one slammed.
The final checks
Export, then verify on the file: integrated LUFS and true peak (checker), a mono listen, a phone-speaker listen, and the first 10 seconds at low volume — that's how listeners will actually meet it.
Or let AI master it in 30 seconds →Streaming (−14) or club (−9) targets with a free before/after preview.Frequently asked questions
Can I master my own tracks?
Yes — with references, meters and restraint you'll beat a rushed $30 master. Perspective is the hard part: take a day between mixing and mastering.
What order should mastering plugins go?
EQ → compressor → saturation → (optional stereo/M-S EQ) → limiter last. Meters after the limiter.
How loud should I master for Spotify?
−14 LUFS is the normalization level, but −10 to −9 masters that still punch are common for rap/electronic. Don't chase past the point where punch dies.