You’ve probably noticed that your favorite songs don’t sound exactly the same when you listen with headphones, earbuds, computer speakers, or on your phone. These listening environments are very different.

The mastering stage is designed to optimize your track so it sounds its best — no matter the playback system. It’s a delicate process of adjustment, fine-tuning, and controlling certain sonic properties that might become problematic in specific listening situations.

Making sure your music sounds great on any system requires a good ear (ideally two), reliable equipment, and a methodical approach. My mastering process combines several layers of careful analysis.
 

At the mastering stage, you normally can’t fix a mix from a single stereo file — corrections should happen during mixing!
The more balanced the mix, the fewer compromises are needed during mastering.
Step one of mastering: fix the mix!

• Case 1: you still have access to the mix.
I offer a diagnostic so you can adjust things at the source first. Then I work on the revised track, and we go back and forth until we’re both satisfied.
 

• Case 2: you no longer have access to the stems or mix.
In theory, mastering can’t fix imbalances. But with the right tools, we can still work on specific elements using tailored processing.
We can also use tools that isolate certain instruments to apply targeted treatment.

Learn more about mastering (in French) :

• Mastering : obligé ou pas ?
• Mastering : une procédure en collaboration