MASTERING IN GB/LOGIC STEP BY STEP

Project Settings to do first:

Turn off “Auto Normalization” (Tool Bar > Preferences > Advance

Activate Master Track (Tool Bar > Track > Show Master Track) *All plug-ins are added to Master
Track. For Logic, use the Stereo Out Channel Strip to add Plug-ins

Make Sure “MV Meter2” Plug-in is installed

1.) CREATE HEADROOM BY ADJUSTING THE GAIN STRUCTURE

- Select Master Track and add ”MV Meter 2” to the Plug-in Master Channel Track

- Play/Loop the loudest area in the song and adjust the VU Gain in “MV Meter 2” to -1

Goal is to get to -1 on the Max Meter to give us headroom to work with in the mastering phase.

2.) APPLY AU DYNAMIC PROCESSOR

- Top Ball place at -40 and bottom ball place at -80
- Click “Details” in Plug-in and play track. Adjust the Master Gain to cut/compress (Red)

- Make sure right meter is under -20 and match the master gain with the reg volume

Goal is to not have too much volume shift when turning on and off the plug-in but have red
compression come in and smooth our the loud dynamics of the song.

3.) APPLY CHANNEL EQ

- Curve off Bass and Treble using the top curve buttons in Plug-in

- Use your ears to add depth or brightness to certain areas. Start small.

- *PRO TIP* Add “Master Reverb” to brighten and wet the whole song down.

This should be the only time you apply EQ to tweak overall tone. Be sure you do not over do it.

4.) APPLY MV METER 2 AGAIN FOR MASTERING VOLUME PHASE

- In the middle of plug-in using arrows, switch to ‘RMS Standard”

- Play song or loudest part and adjust the plug-in gain knob to reach -10 RMS peak

Goal is to get as close to -10 (under or over) but not too over.