The introduction of Apple Logic Pro’s new Mastering Assistant is an helpful development for some music producers and audio engineers. Especially for those who don’t have the skill that a professional mastering engineer brings, or the budget to hire one. We take it for a test, we’ve included the audio so you can take the test and listen for yourself.

The Track

The chosen track for this test is a pop ballad with a female singer. It begins with a gentle piano accompanied by a female vocal — a setup that tests the Assistant's sensitivity to nuance. The singer’s voice throws some challenges, going from gentle close mic work to full blast diva - if not handled correctly this can end up taking off the listener’s head. As the track progresses, it escalates, layering drums, bass, and various other instruments, creating a rich tapestry of sound that challenges the Mastering Assistant's adaptability to dynamic shifts.

The ‘Average’ User Test

In the spirit of an average user, we tested the Mastering Assistant with its four distinct settings: Clean, Punch, Transparent, and Valve. These settings are designed to offer a range of mastering styles, from the unblemished and straightforward 'Clean' to the warmth and depth evoked by 'Valve'. The 'Punch' setting aims to enhance the track's rhythmic elements, while 'Transparent' is intended to subtly augment without noticeable alteration.

Utilising the Loudness Compensate feature was a crucial aspect of this trial. It’s all too easy for louder music to be perceived as better, but Loudness Matching aims to remove this bias, ensuring that each mastered version is evaluated on its quality and not its volume.

The Sound Of Music

The results of this experiment are not just a matter of technical analysis; they also touch on the subjective nature of music listening. Mastering, after all, is both a science and an art. The 'Clean' setting is expected to preserve the original character of the track, maintaining clarity and balance without imposing too much of a sonic signature. 'Punch' should offer more impact, especially in the percussive elements, making it a potential favourite for those who like a bit more energy in their music.

'Transparent' mastering is perhaps the most subtle of all, enhancing the track without obvious fingerprints — a setting that could be the dark horse in this race. Lastly, the 'Valve' setting, with its nod to analogue warmth, could introduce a pleasing richness that resonates with those who have a penchant for a more classic sound.

Same But Different

In the initial listening phase, the distinctions between the mastered versions were not immediately apparent, leading to an assumption of the files being almost identical. This phenomenon is not uncommon, as our ears can sometimes be deceived by the subtleties of mastering. To dispel any doubts and to provide a technical backbone to our auditory observations, we brought the tracks into a DAW for a null test — a method where two versions of a track are played simultaneously with one polarity-inverted. If the tracks are truly identical, they will cancel each other out, resulting in silence.

The null test yielded fascinating results. Despite the initial impression of sameness, the test revealed significant differences between the tracks. The variances ranged from minor deviations in the frequency spectrum to noticeable alterations in dynamic response. This exercise not only highlighted the nuanced operations of the Mastering Assistant's settings but also underscored the importance of critical listening and objective analysis in the mastering process. It's a testament to the fact that even when changes are not overtly perceptible, they can have a profound impact on the final output of the music.

What Do You Think?

The audio files accompanying the article will allow you to listen and decide for yourself.

Take listen to the tracks below, all in MP3 format - if you prefer, you can download the WAV files so you can drag them into your DAW for more refined listening.

Summary

In a broader sense, this review is not just about assessing a new feature in a software update; it's about understanding how technology continues to shape music production. The Mastering Assistant represents a significant step in making sophisticated mastering processes more accessible to a wider audience.

However, it also raises questions about the role of the human touch in music production. Can an algorithm truly replicate the nuanced decisions that a mastering engineer makes after years of training and experience? Futhermore, is mastering simply about changing the sound, or is it about receiving wisdom from an third party, especially one with years of listening experience?

This trial might provide some insights into the technical aspects, but the debate will undoubtedly continue.