With many DAWs leaning on either their production chops, or their mastering credentials, some using Studio One could be missing a significant part of what this DAW can do on both sides of the same coin. We highlight some of its features.

Historically, different software tools have been developed for differing audio tasks. As we approach the second quarter of this century, there is a growing convergence of tools that are more complex and fewer in number. A good example of this is the previously separate spheres of music production and music mastering. While the former used to end at the bounce, increasingly self-op masters are emerging. While these can be created on any production-based DAW’s timeline, the specific needs of mastering are best addressed in a dedicated tool.

Mastering In Studio One - The Project Page

With its production, live performance, and audio mastering functionality, Studio One can be driven using either its Song, Show, or Project pages, with the latter being Studio One’s dedicated window on all things Mastering. Creating a mastering Project from scratch can be done in the Start Page using the Master And Release template, or by using the Projects tab in the Start Page. Existing Songs may also be exported to form the basis of a new project, or to join existing ones. From there, the engineer can work in a Project to master assets in a dedicated environment.

1. In a classic mastering workflow, engineers can take existing Songs or bounces and process and control overall track levels and apply fades and/or automation as needed. Tracks in mastering projects have dependency on Songs, and a really useful feature is being able to double-click a track to re-launch its Song. That way, causes can be addressed rather than their effect.

2. Processing comes courtesy of Studio One’s suite of bundled audio plugins that users will already be familiar with. Running AU or VST architecture, Projects can of course utilise any third party industry-standard tools.

3. Perhaps one of the biggest problem solvers are the options for Target Loudness. Without having to guess levels or tweak limiters endlessly, engineers can choose from several Target Loudness options, automatically adjusting assets for digital releases on Apple Music, YouTube, Spotify, and others.

4. Exporting multiple simultaneous formats is an expected mastering feature which can be achieved easily in the Project. Multiple formats can be exported with one click, creating MP3, WAV, FLAC, DDP, and others in a single operation.

5. Finished assets can be directly uploaded to SoundCloud or PreSonus Sphere from the Project. For other services, assets can be found in the directory specified by the engineer.

Watch in the video as we demonstrate the above workflow to create a new mastering Project from scratch in Studio One. We import tracks for refinement and level matching using the included processing, before determining target loudness and export format. We also demonstrate how that eleventh-hour mix tweak needn’t be anything more than a single click away…

All In One Box?

One factor that is sometimes overlooked is that of Project loudness versus Song loudness, and those new to creating their own deliverables need to bear this in mind. The loudness options for track export may not suit the ebb and flow of an album’s dynamics where each song is loudness-normalised to a standard value. This can be overcome by processing songs for loudness track-by-track. Loudness options in the export window can then be disabled, and a bounce of the whole Project can be measured for loudness if required.

Those overseeing their own mastering from pen to upload have something bigger than the technical considerations to take into account: perspective. Mastering can be both an artistic and technical process, and while the latter can be done by the artist as long as the numbers stack up, the former cannot be done without a fresh pair of ears on the job. It could be said that getting the best from any mastering platform comes from a place of artistic independence.

Projects within Studio One present a professional solution for artist and dedicated mastering engineer alike. For those who are the masters of their own destiny from end-to-end, the ingredients for final deliverables have a formidable container in Studio One. Just add perspective.

Console photo background by Maxwell Hunt on Unsplash