trife22k said:
What are the steps that lead to a picture perfect master
This is one of those "If you need to ask the price, you cant afford it" questions, because if you need to ask you can't do it.
I would say if you want a 'picture perfect master ' you should do your mix and then send it to Sjoko or Ed for mastering.
If you want to learn about the mastering process do a search of past threads or take your mixes to a reputable local mastering house and watch the pros in action, they will usually answer questions. After you have been doing this for a while, hopefully you will start to hear what they are hearing and understand why they do what they do.
I know this is probably not the answer that you were looking for, but you did say that you wanted 'picture perfect' and you aren't going to get it if you do it yourself.
If you want to try it yourself, the basics are as you said Eq and compression, what you do with them depends entirely on the material.
Sorry but this is the only honest answer I could give.
Good Luck
