what the heck?

[guitar junkie]

ok i have some things to ask and some of what i have is dumb.
i am wanting to learn to master stuff i have some good tracks that have no fades in or out and are mixed down nothing more. i understand this is a a big thing for mastering off. now i am just wondering what kind of tips do i need to be using to master i have never tackled this kind of thing so i may ask dumb stuff a lot but any way what kind of software can i learn with that does not cost an erm and a leg but is ok to work with and will teach me something? i am wanting to learn to master off acoustic music and most of teh time its simple enough stuff less than 15 tracks on teh whole thing any way.
i am just wondering what i need to look for and do with my song files that i need to master off? i am 17 and just learning things like this.
i have learned much on this forum about recording and room treatment
and i must say that i do not know where i would be without this BBS.
thanks guys

[Massive Master]

START by reading Bob Katz's "Mastering Audio" book.

It's not neccessarily about mastering technique (although there's a little in there), but stuff that you'll likely need to be familiar with in a general sense before you start developing bad habits.

An ounce of prevention... You know?

[guitar junkie]

Originally Posted by Massive Master

START by reading Bob Katz's "Mastering Audio" book.

It's not neccessarily about mastering technique (although there's a little in there), but stuff that you'll likely need to be familiar with in a general sense before you start developing bad habits.

An ounce of prevention... You know?

ok so i need to find this book then. ok any thing else guys?

[JKestle]

It's my opinoin that you can't just "start to master".

First I think you need to read about what mastering is all about.
It's problem solving and decision making using your ears.

The Bob Katz book is really good, and very comprehensive. The internet is also full of articles on this subject. My suggestion is to google around the net. As you read about the ART of mastering your questions will be inevitably be answered.

Good luck!

[guitar junkie]

ok well i have found some websites that have helped out a little so far.
and i thank the people who have posted some advice on here

It's my opinoin that you can't just "start to master".

i am not "starting" to master i am LEARNING to master

[JKestle]

Originally Posted by guitar junkie

i am not "starting" to master i am LEARNING to master

Sorry, poor choice of words on my part.

Here's a link to some articles that helped me understand what mastering is all about.
http://www.theprojectstudiohandbook.com/articles9.htm

[guitar junkie]

thanks for the links looks like some stuff i could use.

thanks to all for any help they can offer.