My band released a single a month or so ago that I produced, recorded, mixed and mastered myself.

I actually don't recommend being the only engineer involved in your project but this time I had a nice support group.

When I thought my mix was ready and before I started mastering I decided to get some feedback on it from the members inside the Home Mastering Masterclass Facebook group.

Here's the pre-master that I humbly put up there for feedback.

And here's a screenshot of all the great input I got from the group. (You need to enable images in your email client to see the pictures below).

So after a ton of great advice I went back to the mix and revised all the issues that they heard (and the tips they gave me to fix them).

I ended up with this as the mastered version, quite a step up from my initial "Final Mix."

The most valuable thing from that group wasn't all the mastering advice. It was all the pre-master advice and issues they heard that helped me create a better sounding final product.

Take Ian's comments for instance:

I'd be playing with a hefty boost on the side signal only, centered around 500 Hz, but it would be better achieved in the mix...Plus a boost around 250 Hz for the bass guitar, but not the kick drum or vox.

Getting that sort of advice was invaluable because I had the ability to go back and revise the mix issues before the mastering stage. Mastering isn't some silver bullet that makes even the crappiest mix sound like a Grammy, but it can take a nice mix and really make it shine.

And getting that sort of feedback from the community inside the Home Mastering Masterclass is one of the lesser-advertised benefits of being a member.

Even if you're not in the middle of getting ready to master anything right now this community is there whenever you need it, even after you finish the 8 week course.

If you want to join us (and grab my free video with Ian Shepherd where he teaches me what to improve in my mix) join using my link here:

www.audioissues.com/hmm

Then simply send me your receipt to bjorgvin@audio-issues.com and I'll forward you a download link to my exclusive mastering session with Ian.