Major Label Mastering: Professional Mastering Process by Evren Göknar from Focal Press distills 25 years of mastering experience at Capitol Records into practical understandings and reliable systems. Containing unparalleled insights, this book reveals the mastering tricks and techniques used at one of the world's most notable record labels.
PART I: The Key Competencies and Understandings of a Mastering Engineer
Chapter I. The Mastering Engineer
Chapter II. Listening Experience: The Mastering Engineer’s Primary Concern
PART II: The Mastering Studio and Fundamental Mastering Tools
Chapter III. The Mastering Studio
Chapter IV. Fundamental Mastering Tools and The Primary Colors of Mastering
PART III: Professional Mastering Process: The Five Step Mastering Process
Chapter V. Step I: Objective Assessment
Chapter VI. Step II: Subjective Assessment
Chapter VII. Step III: The Mastering Game Plan
Chapter VIII. Step IV: Assembly – Links in a Chain
Chapter IX. Step V: Delivery – Generate The Master
PART IV – Professional Mastering Process – Macro Considerations
Chapter X. Before Beginning a Mastering Project
Chapter XI. The Inner Game: Mindset Approaches For Mastering
Chapter XII. Session-Saving Mastering Secrets
PART V: Professional Mastering Process – Micro Considerations
Chapter XIII. General Guidelines for Processing Audio
Chapter XIV. Advanced Mastering Chain Tools and Techniques
Chapter XV. Mid-Side (M/S): An Elixir of Mastering Hope
Chapter XVI. In-The-Box Considerations
Chapter XVII. De-noising / Audio Restoration (Out, Damned Spot!)
Chapter XVIII. Conclusion and Summary