eMastering – from recording studio to online mastering

eMastering refers to digital mastering that uses only software – either on a home PC or in a professional recording studio. Instead of analog hardware devices, plugins take over the functions of equalizers, compressors, and limiters to optimize the mix for all playback devices and streaming services.

The online mastering is the last step of audio post-production im our recording studio. The main goal is to precisely balance the various elements of the audio file that were previously combined during mixing and to optimize them for playback on different devices. Regardless of which device the listener has available, mastering should ensure the best possible listening experience. The term “eMastering” means that this step is carried out with electronic tools; mastering qualifies as eMastering whether it is done on a home PC or with software in a recording studio.

Because eMastering works regardless of location, it is also of interest to Swiss artists: Our Guide for Swiss artists shows when an online studio is sufficient and when a local studio is worthwhile.

From Mastering to eMastering

The Editing of audio recordings on the PC was of course not always standard in post-production – after Thomas A. Edison invented the phonograph (1878), it took some time before eMastering became established in studios. When working with tape, it turned out that with equalizers and dynamics tools the noise, frequency response, sound quality and loudness of the tape could be fine-tuned even more precisely, making a first form of mastering possible.

eMastering is the digital express option — how it differs from classic mastering stages is explained by the Mastering Guide.

Today, it's rare for mastering studios to work purely analog – accordingly, eMastering has become the new standard in mastering. This means that software is always used in some form. These are usually so-called plugins that simulate devices from analog mastering in software on the computer. This gives the audio engineer more options to create the optimal master and make it available online.

The aim of eMastering, just like with classic mastering, is to balance the tonal elements of a mix, optimize playback on all devices and media, and process the song so that it sounds equally “good” on every device. With eMastering, not only frequency response, level and loudness matter, but also the remaining headroom. This is needed to allow streaming platforms to convert the audio into other playback formats, so that the song can be played back on different devices.

Frequently asked questions about eMastering

In principle, yes: Since eMastering uses only software, you can create a master yourself with EQ, compressor, and limiter plugins. The challenge lies less in the tools themselves than in having a trained ear, a neutral listening environment, and the experience to correctly assess problems in the mix. Those who release regularly are usually better off working with an experienced mastering engineer – our guide provides an overview of the individual steps. Mastering Guide.

The sound quality doesn't depend on whether analog hardware or plugins are used, but on the engineer's skill and the listening environment. Modern plugins emulate classic analog devices very precisely, so professional eMastering can reach studio-level quality. The location of the work matters less than experience, monitoring and clear communication – the mix is transmitted digitally and the finished master is sent back.

No. Automated services like LANDR or BandLab apply fixed algorithms and presets without evaluating the context of your song. With eMastering, a human makes the sonic decisions and addresses the genre, the mix and the goal of the release. Where the limits of automated tools lie is covered in our article: can AI replace mastering?.

Ideally, deliver your mix without a limiter or maximizer on the master bus and with some room at the top – around −6 dB headroom at the loudest point, provided the mix hasn't been artificially turned down or already heavily limited. This margin gives the engineer room to cleanly process dynamics, frequencies and loudness. A clipped or already heavily compressed mix is hard to open back up in mastering.

Did we spark your interest in eMastering?

In addition to the many audio processing options various plugins offer, you can now conveniently order mastering online from home and draw on the technology and expertise of experienced eMastering engineers.

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