1.Why is taught to master ALL unmastered tracks on a CD in one session vs putting a master effect on the output of the original session you work in?
2. when you mix a "single", do you master right on the spot?
Two things- from my own experience-
1) It makes total sense in methodology and from a work flow sense.
The mixer is operating partly more
micro' modes -head deep into
that song/mix.
You finish one, typically you put it away and do the next, etc.
These typically are handed off the mastering person -new set of ears', presumably with different skill sets, and a fresh perspective. (remember you as the mixer' are still hearing/remembering the guts of these mixes and all the little trips you took it through to get it to where they are.
He/she loads them into a new project-- only
natural, and.. perhaps for the first time, someone is listening to them with the eye of how do they all fair between
each other and, to the the outside
world.
When I do this- self 'mastering (and stepping back and away from mix' view- ) that's when I hear/see improvements' that may come to light. This 'new perspective BTW IMHO takes some
time.. or some amount of detachment has to happen.
I believe there's a truth here. In that if you are not umm.. 'susceptible' to this..? Answer this. It was 'done. What would you need to 'master on it then
?
2) When I do this I
do go back to the mixes
often (depending on what's been discovered).
And yes you could do your 'stepping back (however you're get your 'distance to allow it), and master' right there in the song proj.