The Dreaded Mix Sign-Off: handing over to mastering
Toulson, R. 2017. The Dreaded Mix Sign-Off: handing over to mastering. in: Hepworth-Sawyer, R. and Hodgson, J. (ed.) Perspectives on Music Production: Mixing Music London Routledge. pp. 257-269
| Chapter title | The Dreaded Mix Sign-Off: handing over to mastering |
|---|---|
| Authors | Toulson, R. |
| Editors | Hepworth-Sawyer, R. and Hodgson, J. |
| Abstract | The final stage of mixing, and indeed the final responsibility of the mix engineer, is usually the handover to mastering, which brings a number of creative and technical considerations. In the traditional approach to music production, mastering is conducted by a specialist audio engineer once the final mixes have been consolidated to a stereo format. In the early days, mixes would be recorded to a physical two-track analog tape that would then be shipped to the mastering engineer. Nowadays it is more common for the stereo mixes to be sent as lossless audio files through an Internet file transfer. The final signing-off of the mix is an intrepid point in the process, requiring the artist, music producer and mix engineer to agree that they have completed the mixes, which can reveal any uncertainties or insecurities that they may bear in relation to the project. The mix sign-off and handover to mastering is therefore seen as a critical and crucial point in the music production process. |
| Keywords | Mixing Music Mastering Audio |
| Book title | Perspectives on Music Production: Mixing Music |
| Page range | 257-269 |
| Year | 2017 |
| Publisher | Routledge |
| Publication dates | |
| Published | 15 Dec 2016 |
| Place of publication | London |
| ISBN | 9781138218734 |
| File | |
| Web address (URL) | https://www.routledge.com/Mixing-Music/Hepworth-Sawyer-Hodgson/p/book/9781138218734 |