How to ACTUALLY use Logic's Mastering Assistant (In-Depth Tutorial)

Introduction

In this tutorial, we will explore how to effectively use Logic's Mastering Assistant, a powerful AI tool designed to enhance your music mastering process without the need for external services. This guide will provide you with actionable steps to make the most out of this feature, along with tips on how to tweak your masters for optimal results.

Step 1: Setting Up Your Mastering Session

• Create a new mastering session in Logic.
• Import the track you want to master.
• Add an unmastered version of the same track above the mastered one for easy comparison.
• Include reference tracks below your main track to evaluate your master against other professional mixes.

Step 2: Bypassing Plugins

• Ensure all existing plugins on your track are bypassed to get a clean slate for mastering.
• Access the stereo output by hitting the 'I' key or opening the mixer window.

Step 3: Accessing the Mastering Assistant

• Click on the mastering button in the stereo output section to launch the Mastering Assistant.
• Allow the plugin to analyze your track. This process may vary in speed depending on the length of the song.

Step 4: Understanding the Mastering Assistant Components

The Mastering Assistant consists of four main components:

• Tone Shaping
• Dynamic Shaping
• Loudness
• Stereo Spread

Tone Shaping

• Adjust the EQ curve provided by the Mastering Assistant.
• Experiment with three EQ points: low shelf, mid-frequency band, and high shelf.
• Consider using the Exciter feature for added brightness, but be cautious of potential distortion.

Dynamic Shaping

• Observe the loudness settings which are automatically adjusted.
• Check the loudness readings: momentary, short-term, and integrated.
• Play your track from the beginning to measure the integrated loudness over the entire song.

Loudness

• Aim for an integrated loudness score typically between -9 and -12 dB, depending on the genre.
• Use a multimeter to monitor RMS levels for additional loudness insights.

Stereo Spread

• Adjust the stereo spread knob while observing the correlation meter to ensure phase coherency.
• Keep the spread within the green zone to avoid phasing issues.

Step 5: Fine-Tuning Your Master

• Use the loudness compensation feature to ensure you're comparing volumes accurately when toggling the mastering plugin on and off.
• Tweak the settings based on your artistic vision and the characteristics of the track.
• Compare your mastered track to the unmastered version frequently to evaluate improvements.

Step 6: Learning From the Master

• After completing the mastering, compare your track with the original unmastered version.
• Take notes on what changes the Mastering Assistant made and how they improved the track.
• Use this knowledge to enhance your future mastering processes.

Conclusion

Using Logic's Mastering Assistant can significantly streamline your mastering workflow. While it offers a great starting point, don’t hesitate to tweak the settings to suit your artistic preferences. Embrace this tool as a learning opportunity to sharpen your mastering skills. For further improvement, consider downloading the free 6-Step Pro Mix Checklist linked in the description for additional guidance on achieving professional mixes. Happy mastering!