Stupid Question of the Day (from me at least...): What exacly is "mastering"?

[Nyarlathotep]

Long thread title says it all.

I'm so embarassed to be asking this

[EASonBass]

I assume you mean audio mastering for CD production. Try googling your question. There's a ton of info on the web that'll answer your question.

[Alvaro Martín Gómez A.]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Audio_mastering

[Tslicebass]

Bringing the mixed tracks to equal overall volume. Cleaning up bewteen song transistions (cross fades, fade outs, etc.). Adding last minute e.q. Adding the "shine" to the final product.
I think that kinda sums it up.

[Lo.]

Originally Posted by DanielTulip

Long thread title says it all.

I'm so embarassed to be asking this

LOL. It's not embarrassing at all.

The mastering process is a beautiful artform, and the engineers with their special hearing and unique audio tools will sculpt every nuance from your perfomance so that the world may hear your true voice.

Alternatively, it's when you pay ridiculous amounts of money to a bloke with an unhealthy equipment fetish to rip the soul from all frequencies below 500 hz.

[scottice]

Originally Posted by Lo.

... it's when you pay ridiculous amounts of money to a bloke with an unhealthy equipment fetish to rip the soul from all frequencies below 500 hz.

Well put!

[Nyarlathotep]

Cool! thanks for the responces. I guess you do learn something everyday