In this lesson you will learn: Choosing references that match energy, not just genre. Headroom habits before mix and master. LUFS targets as a conversation, not a meme. Export formats for mastering.
Bad prep wastes mix time. References should match **energy and arrangement density**, not just a genre label. Headroom and clipping issues can’t be fixed with a “make it louder” master.
Remove master bus crushing unless it’s intentional sound design.. Leave sensible peak room; clipping inter-sample peaks is a mastering conversation.. Note any intentional distortion or saturation so the mixer doesn’t “fix” it.
Agree a target loudness band for your genre and platform set—then let mastering handle final limiting.
Streaming platforms publish loudness guidance (often discussed around −14 LUFS integrated for Spotify-style normalization—verify current docs).. Broadcast (ATSC, EBU R128) and film (dialnorm) use different targets than music streaming—deliver what the client’s spec says.. True peak limiting (intersample peaks) is standard in professional mastering chains; clipping converters is not.