Should I master my own tracks, or send them to a mastering engineer?

Look, at Next Level we offer mastering services, but we actually don't think everyone should use a mastering engineer. There are some cases where doing your own mastering is the best option, so in this article we're going to break down when you should & when you shouldn't.

Let's first start with what mastering actually is.

Mastering is the process where an engineer applies the final touches to your mix-down, taking it from 90-100% completed. They will ensure the track is at the appropriate loudness, achieves tonal balance, translates well across different types of speakers, has all the clicks & pops removed and is delivered in the correct file format.

It's a very technical process & engineers have often spent years studying, refining & learning.

So, should you do your own mastering or send it to a mastering engineer?

Mastering is actually a really helpful skill to learn and understand. Improving your knowledge around limiters, dynamics, tonal balance & speaker compatibility helps you to make better decisions in the mix itself. Not only that, if you can achieve a good quality master, your demo's will have a better chance at landing on a label and you'll be able to export playable versions of your tracks to DJ live or send to friends.

If you're fresh to mastering though, it's unlikely you'll be able to do your track justice like an engineer would. They'll also be listening to the track with fresh ears & will likely be able to hear problems in the mix that you've become accustomed to.

The other variable here is cost. If you're on a tight budget & can't afford a good quality engineer, it's probably not worth spending money you don't have. In this situation, watching some high quality YouTube tutorials & doing it yourself could be the answer in the meantime.

Personally, 90% of the tracks I release get mastered by an engineer. There's only been 1 time where an engineer didn't exceed my expectations & it was purely because I chose the cheapest option (lesson learned). Every other time my music has come back to me sounding much better.

If you have money available and/or are new to mastering, using an engineer will likely be the best course of action for you. If you can afford a good quality engineer ($100-$500 per track), they're usually worth every cent.

If you're confident mastering your tracks to a professional level or are on a tight budget, it might not be worth hiring an engineer & you'll be better off doing it yourself.

In closing, it may not always be the right choice to hire an engineer to do your mastering. Always take your personal situation into account!

I hope this article has helped you make a more informed decision,

Max.