Product Description

The difference between a mediocre and a great CD is often mastering - the final step in the recording process. This book, along with the companion CD-ROM packed with audio examples, helps demystify the mastering process so your CDs can reflect the full potential of your music. Want to create truly great-sounding CDs? This is the book with the answers. Includes a CD-ROM with 31 audio examples that show how mastering-oriented signal processors can improve your CD’s sound quality, as well as a new Craig Anderton song mastered using the techniques described in this book.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2315075 in Books
• Published on: 2002-01
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 48 pages

Customer Reviews

Too small and basic
Despite the price, this book is tiny. It is only 41 pages and has an insultingly large typreace. This would be a great book for about $.... It is more like a children's coloring book.

For anyone who has ever used audio software, bypass this book. The information is very basic. Opening a plug-in and playing with different parameters will provide more information and knowledge than is offered in this book. Quoted directly from page 21, "If the bass isn't loud enough, boost the low frequencies." Or from page 24, "Compare your work with something that sounds great, and come as close as you can." Thanks for the insight.

This is a perfect example of he perils of buying a product via the internet. If I had seen the book in a retail store, I could have passed and found a book more suitable fo me.

This may be a good introduction for someone who's never done any audio work but it doesn't justify a $... pricetag. It should be a low priced pocketbook, at best.

Missed the Target
It's basic. No, I mean *really* basic. I'm not sure who the target audience for this book is. Maybe folks who might be mastering an audio project, but who don't know what the audio spectrum is, or how parametric equalization works, or exactly what a compressor is. To be fair, it does bill itself as "The
absolute beginners guide...", but frankly I have a hard time understanding how anyone could get to the point where they have a CD to master without a better understanding of audio concepts than this book gives. I read the whole thing (48 pages) in one sitting, without straining, and did get a few tidbits that will help me, but in my opinion it largely missed the mark. The whole book might make a good basis for a chapter in an absolute beginner's guide to digital recording. I know Craig Anderton can do better than this.

Wishing I'd bought something else...

Great for beginners
If you've never mastered any audio before and want to know what it is, this book will give you a great start. The best part of the book are the audio files. Mr. Anderton takes one of his songs through the mastering process step-by-step. After each step is a separate audio file so you can hear the difference each step made. If you already have audio editing software, you can try to duplicate what he's done to make it a more hands-on book.

The next best thing about this book are the references to software out there that are available for beginners. iZotope's Ozone, for example, is a standout.

I only have two gripes. The first is the song used for mastering is techno and I'm more of a hard rock guy. Of course this is very subjective. The other gripe is the exact setting on some of the mastering steps wasn't specified. This would've made it easier to try and duplicate the steps.

Overall, I highly recommend it to those wanting to start with audio mastering.