Major Label Mastering

Evren Göknar spent 25 years mastering records at Capitol Records, and this guide turns that experience into workable methods and dependable routines. It opens with the core skills a mastering engineer needs, then moves through the layout of a mastering studio and the basic tools of the trade. A central focus is the Five Step Mastering Process, a system the author has tested and refined to help engineers finish a project to demanding standards of audio quality.

The book covers the field from broad to granular. It addresses the engineer's mindset and how to build working relationships with clients, then gets into detailed guidance on processing audio, more advanced techniques, and audio restoration. Readers are shown the methods used by a major label mastering engineer.

Each chapter closes with exercises meant either to build understanding and skill or to support a university or college course. The material is organized for readers at every level, and it is aimed at students, musicians, and working recording and mastering engineers. Digital companion resources include audio examples and video tutorials.