AAE: Building a Song in Cakewalk: Mastering Begins

In this video, I explain the nature and application of monitoring speakers in the mixing and mastering process. Then you get to (sort of) hear what it's like sitting in the chair hearing the mix through these unforgiving speakers. Better than I had expected at this initial mastering stage. I did a good job taming all those whomping bass frequencies. The main concern now is with the mids and trebles: I don't want those sounding harsh through earbuds and other small speakers. The goal is to for the mix to be more or less equally listenable whether played through a high-end system or the tiny speakers of a smartphone.

Full disclosure: I am NOT a pro mastering engineer! Not even close. I lack the proper tools and the formal training, not to mention the professional experience and the use of two fully functioning ears. But I think I do OK for an entirely self-taught hobbyist, and you can do just as well or better. So, full steam ahead! This project is nearing completion, and I am looking forward to the challenge of covering that Tom Petty song...

The mix is now up to 26 tracks, 22 of them recorded through the USB microphone. The main point of this tutorial series has been to show you what is possible with free software, a USB microphone, an ordinary acoustic guitar or other acoustic instrument(s), items lying around the house, and above all, the will and the desire to create.

This tutorial series begins here:

https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnT1FFmF0pXm6oUKT0EKvn-7KfcDnRMtm

After adding all parts and abandoning the mix, we will master the song so that it sounds acceptably good whether played through a high-end audio system or cheap earbuds on your phone.

On this channel, I hope to show those who are interested how to set up a basic home studio so that they can begin learning to record, mix, and master songs or any other audio projects of their choosing. As a former long-time abuser of alcohol, I wholeheartedly recommend this hobby, for those to whom it appeals, as an addiction replacement therapy. Tracking and mixing audio requires focus and presence of mind. You can't do it well, if at all, when you're impaired. Audio work has the added benefit of being both relaxing and goal-oriented. At the end of a project, you have a clear result that reflects all that you have learned and accomplished on the way to finishing it. Overcoming the many small challenges that you encounter along the way provides dopamine, and listening to a mix that you can feel proud of produces serotonin and other "feel-good" neurotransmitters that are sorely lacking in your brain and central nervous system when you are detoxing from long-term substance abuse. Audio work is also highly meditative. It sharpens focus, enhances mental clarity, and balances the emotions. Above all, it opens doors and pathways within yourself to discover and unleash creativity. Through audio work, you can speed up the process of healing your body, your mind, and your soul.

My lessons are deliberately slow and long-format. Learning new skills can be stressful. My goal for each lesson is to make it a relaxing and enjoyable experience for you, and above all to show you that with a little patience and persistence, you can achieve more than you might think possible in a reasonably short while.

Presently I am in the middle of putting together the first edition of a series of tutorials that I am calling "Into the Mix", wherein we explore the details of mixes I have done and the decisions I made while doing them. Though this style of learning is slow and requires a certain level of time commitment, I feel it is ultimately a more organic and effective way to learn audio work than marching your way through strictly topical, chapter-driven lessons. I want you to feel that you are sitting and learning these new skills with a trusted friend.

The first mix we are exploring is a song called "Passing Through", which you can listen to here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPHDDUiYQWo

The first "Into the Mix" tutorial for "Passing Through" is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sW4hSI4CIz4&t=151s

For a short tutorial video on the barebones requirements for setting up a home recording studio please visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8hMa0HwdJOI&t=7s

The much longer and more detailed version of that tutorial is here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_t3b1IuqJI&t=3s

In these video tutorials, I am using a free audio recording, mixing, and mastering program called Cakewalk. If you wish to get started learning audio work, you can download Cakewalk here:
https://help.cakewalk.com/hc/en-us/articles/360002690674-How-To-Download-Install-Cakewalk-by-BandLab

Please like and subscribe, and feel free to leave a question or comment. I will most certainly reply as soon as I am able.

Peace from Paju, South Korea.

--AAE