Top Mastering Chain Plugins: How to Master a Song Properly?

Surgical Mastering Equalizers, also known as EQs, are an irreplaceable tool for any music producer during the mastering process. Surgical mastering EQs provide precision and control, that is essential to achieving a high-quality mix.

One of the main benefits of using surgical mastering EQs is their ability to fix problematic resonance frequencies. These frequencies can cause a mix to sound muddy, boomy, thin, or toppy. By using surgical mastering EQs, you can remove rumble from low frequencies and tighten up the bass, which will positively affect the mix. You can create defined bass sounds and punchy kick drums crucial to a great mix.

Another critical feature of surgical mastering EQs is their ability to improve the width and add rich, airy highs. This is achieved using M/S technology, which allows you to work separately on the mid and side channels. This will enable you to improve the stereo image and bring out details in the mix.

Linear phase EQs are a type of surgical mastering EQ that offers high transparency and is ideal for fixing problematic resonance frequencies. They allow you to make precise and accurate frequency adjustments without introducing unwanted artifacts.

Surgical Mastering EQs are an essential tool for any music producer during the mastering process. 

Some of my favorite surgical Mastering Equalizers are:

• DMG Audio EQuilibrium
• Three Body Technology - Kichhoff EQ
• Sonnox Oxford EQ
• Maat TheEQBlue
• Fabfilter Pro-Q
• Softube Weiss EQ1
• Brainworx BX_Digital
• Balance Analog Magpha EQ
• Eiosis Air EQ
• Tokio Dawn Labs - Slick EQ M Mastering Edition
• Newfangled Audio Equivocate
• Crave DSP - Crave EQ
• Soundtheory Gullfoss
• ToneBooster EQ 4
• Sonnox Claro
• Massenburg MDWEQ
• PSP MasterQ2
• SSL X-EQ 2
• Maat TheEQOrange

How to Master a song with a  Compressor?

Use High-end Mastering compressors plugins that sweetens the sound and glues your mix together.

Mastering a song with a compressor is crucial in achieving a polished, professional-sounding recording. When mastering music, starting with the best mix is essential. This will ensure that the compressor works from a solid foundation rather than trying to fix problems that should have been addressed during the mixing process.

To tame problematic parts and smooth out peaks of your song.You can set the compressor to a moderate ratio and low threshold, aiming for a gain reduction of -2db to -5db.

Also, try parallel compression to add depth and character to your mix. This technique involves running a copy of the mix through the compressor. This compressed copy is then mixed with the original mix to add thickness and glue to the overall sound.

Another technique to try is M/S compression. This involves compressing the mid and side channels separately, allowing you to expand the stereo image and bring out details in the mix.

You can use high-end mastering compressor plug-ins explicitly designed for mastering, such as those in the list below. These plug-ins will have a more transparent sound and will be able to sweeten the mix without introducing unwanted artifacts.

Here are some of the best Mastering Compressor plugins, on the market:

• Weiss Compressor
• Softube - Drawmer S73
• Cytomic The Glue
• Tokyo Dawn Labs TDR Kotelnikow GE
• Pulsar Audio Mu
• Vertigo Sound VSC-3
• Sonoris Mastering Compressor 
• Softube Chandler Limited- Germanium Compressor 
• Tone Projects Unisum Mastering Compressor
• DDMF Magic Death Eye
• DMG Audio TrackComp
• Acustiqa Audio Aquamarine
• Acustica Audio Magenta
• Acustica Audio Ivory
• Acustica Audio Tiger
• UAD Shadow Hills
• Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor
• SKNote SDC Stereo Double Compressor
• SPL Iron Mastering Compressor

Analog emulation or coloring mastering equalizer plug-ins are great sounding tools for mastering engineers. These plug-ins are designed to mimic the characteristics of classic analog equalizers that were commonly used in the past to shape the sound of recordings.

One of the main benefits of using analog emulation coloring mastering equalizers is that they can add warmth and character to a mix. These plug-ins can create a smooth and natural sound by boosting the high frequencies and providing a more defined bass. They can also give your songs a punchier and more dynamic sound by boosting or cutting certain frequencies.

Another benefit of using analog emulation coloring mastering equalizers is that they can create a subtle analog vibe. Many of these plug-ins are emulations of classic equalizers, such as the Pultec or Neve, commonly used to shape the sound of famous recordings. Using these plug-ins, you can create a vintage sound that adds a special character to your songs.

When using coloring equalizers, it's important to use them sparingly, as they can easily overpower a mix. When using these EQs, it's essential to focus on the overall tonal balance.

Try these character EQs to create a subtle analog vibe and add punch to your songs.

Some of the best mastering EQs for coloring your mixes are.

• Chandler Limited Curve Bender
• Waves PuigTec EQP-1A
• Softube Tube-Tech
• Sonimus Burnley 73
• Acustica Audio Purple
• Maat TheEQOrange
• Kush Audio - Electra DSP
• Kush Audio - Clariphonic
• Maag Audio EQ
• Manley Massive Passive
• Native Instruments Passive EQ
• Elysia Musseq
• SPL PassEQ
• SSL G-Equalizer
• Acustica Audio Azure
• Nebula Bronze 
• Acustica Audio Ruby
• Pulsar Massive
• PSP Audioware PSP E27

Mastering de-esser plug-ins work by identifying and reducing excessive sibilance, or "S" sounds, in vocals and other high-frequency instruments. Excessive sibilance can cause harshness or distortion in the final mix, making it unpleasant to listen to.

Noise reduction plug-ins use a combination of dynamic processing and frequency filtering to identify and reduce the presence of sibilance. They typically have a frequency control that allows the user to specify the frequency range to focus on and a threshold control that determines the level at which the de-essing effect is applied. 

One of the key benefits of mastering de-esser plug-ins is that they allow the user to selectively reduce sibilance without affecting the overall tonal balance of the mix. This is especially important in the mastering process, where preserving the overall balance of the mix is critical.

In addition to taming harshness in vocals and other high-frequency instruments, de-esser plug-ins can also be used to reduce resonance in other sounds, such as hi-hats and synth sounds. This can help create an overall smoother and more pleasant sound.

Here are some of the best de-esser plugins:

• Airwindows DeBess
• Fabfilter Pro-DS
• Waves Sibilance / Renaissannce DeEsser
• Oeksound Soothe
• Oxford SuperEsser
• DMG Audio Essence
• Hofa IQ DeEsser
• Hornet Sybilla
• Eiosis E²Deesser
• WEISS DS-1
• Massey De:Esser

Dynamic EQs and multiband compressors are essential tools for fine-tuning the frequency spectrum and adding punch and clarity to a master.

Dynamic EQs, also known as "intelligent EQs," are equalizers that can automatically adjust the EQ based on the audio signal level. This allows more precise adjustments to specific frequency ranges without affecting the rest of the mix. For example, a dynamic EQ can be used to reduce the low frequencies in the mix if the bass is too boomy or to increase the high frequencies if the mix is too dull.

Multiband compressors work similarly but allow you to apply compression to specific frequency bands. This can be useful for controlling the balance between different instruments in a mix or adding punch and definition to a particular frequency range.

Dynamic EQs and multiband compressors can help remove unwanted frequencies and add definition and clarity to a mix when used in mastering. 

Remember that mastering doesn't always require dynamic EQ or multiband compressors. But in some cases, it can be helpful to dynamically access individual frequency bands. If you want to control the shrill frequencies in some parts of the song. Or if you need to change the dynamics or volume of some bass notes or synth sounds, the following plug-ins can be helpful.

Dynamic Equalizer

• Tokyo Dawn TDR Nova GE
• Oxford Dynamic EQ
• Fabfilter Pro-Q 3
• Izotope Ozone

Multiband Compressors

• Melda MDynamicsMB
• Fabfilter Pro-MB
• Leapwing Audio Dynone 
• Waves C6
• Izotope Ozone
• Softube Drawmer 1973
• DMG Audio Multiplicity
• Vengeance Multiband Compressor

The Mastering Enhancer, Tape Machines, Tube, Saturation, and Transformer plugins are audio processing tools that add warmth, depth, and character to a mix during the mastering process. These plugins add subtle harmonic distortion, saturation, and other analog-inspired effects to the audio signal, which can help make a mix sound less digital and more organic.

Mastering Enhancer plugins, for example, can bring out detail and clarity in a mix, making it sound more defined and polished. On the other hand, Tape Machine Emulations can add warmth and analog character to a mix by simulating the sound of analog tape recordings.

Tube and Saturation plugins can add warmth and depth to a mix by adding subtle harmonic distortion to the audio signal. This can help make a mix sound more analog and less clinical.

Finally, Transformer plugins can add weight and girth to a mix, making it sound more powerful and impactful. These plugins work by simulating the sound of analog transformers and can be used to add warmth and depth to a mix.

Some of the best mastering software plugins for adding saturation, harmonics, or tube and tape coloration are:

• Acustica Audio Crimson
• Tone Projects Kelvin Tone Shaper
• Fabfilter Saturn
• Vertigo Sound VSM-3
• Wavesfactory Spectre
• Shatteres Glas Audio SGA1566
• Kazrog True Iron
• SSL Vintage Drive
• Kush Audio Omega
• Pulsar Modular P42 Climax Mod
• Plugin Alliance Blackbox Analog Design
• Airwindows Purest Warm
• SKnote AnyTesla
• Klanghelm SDRR
• SPL Twin Tube
• Brainworx Black Box

Best tape Machine Plugins

• IK Multimedia T-Racks Tape Machine
• Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines
• London Acoustics - Taipei
• Acustica Audio - Taupe
• U-He satin
• SKnote Roundtone
• Universal Audio Fatso
• Universal Audio Studer A800 / Ampex ATR 102
• Airwindows To Tape
• Waves Audio Kramer Master Tape

Open up your stereo mix and add more width and depth to your songs by using stereo imaging plugins. These are also very important to check your mono compatibility and fix phase issues. Try one of these plugins to improve your audio spatiality and stereo psychoaccustics

• Leapwing StageOne
• Mathew Lane DrMS
• Side Minder ME
• DJ Swivel Spread
• Izotope Ozone Imager
• Goodhertz Midside
• Leapwing Stageone
• Waves S1 / Center
• Flux Stereo Tool
• Nugen Audio Stereoizer
• Tokyo Dawn Labs Proximity
• Tone Projects Basslane Pro 2

Top clipper plugins - intensify your loudness levels when mastering. Shape your frequencies with a pleasant sounding clipper and get harmonic saturations. For a more aggressive but balanced sound.

• Kazrog KClip
• Airwindows AD Clip
• Acustica Audio - Fire The Clip
• Sir Audio Tools Standard Clip
• DMG Audio Limitless
• Venn Audio V-Clip
• Newfangled Audio Saturate
• IK Multimedia Classic Clipper
• Boz Digtal Labs Big Clipper

True peak Mastering Limiter Plugins for controlling your peaks and lifting your overall audio loudness levels.

Keep your dynamics with transparent and neutral limiting processors which avoid harsh high end, squashed transients, and thin or mangled low end.

Some of the best Mastering Limiter plugins for your master buss are:

• DMG Audio Limitless
• A.O.M. Invisible Limiter
• Izotope Ozone Maximizer
• TDR Limiter 6 GE
• Eventide Elevate
• IK Multimedia Stealth Limiter
• Fabfilter Pro-L
• Sonnox Oxford Limiter
• Voxengo Elephant
• Sonible - Smart:Limit
• Chandler Limited - Zener Limiter

Loudness Metering for PLR, RMS, LUFS targets to compare your songs audio level. Reference Plug-ins can visualize the tonal balance, average loudness or the frequencie Spectrum

• Voxengo Span
• Maat 2BC MultiCORR
• Youlean Loudness Meter (Free Lufs Meter)
• Melda Production MLoudnessAnalyzer
• Nugen Audio VisLM
• Nugen Audio Mastercheck 
• Izotope Ozone Tonal Balance Control
• Izotope Insights
• Mastering The Mix Reference
• Letimix Gainmatch
• Sample Magic Magic AB
• Meter Plugs Loudness Penalty
• Sonnox Frauenhofer Pro Codec
• Maat DR Meter MKII
• ADPTR Audio MetricAB
• Orban Loudness Meter

With the help of these tools you can optimize your room acoustics. Your studio speakers or headphones will be measured and their sound optimized. There are also tools to improve the sound of your headphones and make them sound more realistic. With all these tools you should be able to judge mastering jobs more accurately.

• Sonarworks Reference Headphone
• Sonarworks Reference Speaker
• IK Multimedia Arc
• Dsoniq Realphones
• Tonebooster Morphit
• Room EQ Wizard
• 112 DB Redline Monitor
• Slate VSX Headphone
• Goodhertz CanOpener
• Waves Audio NX
• Audified Mixchecker

LUFS is a loudness normalization based on average loudness. Due to the Loudness War, music productions became more and more compressed and therefore less dynamic. LUFS normalizations or other methods are now used by many major streaming providers such as Youtube, Spotify and Apple Music. Very loud mastered songs sound quieter on streaming platforms and somewhat flat. Aggressive limiting tends to be detrimental and superfluous to the mastering process. As with mastering for vinyl, this now places greater emphasis on transparency and dynamics.

Here is my overview of streaming shops LUFS loudness targets (LUFS = Loudness Units relative to Full Scale)

There some free VST Metering Plugins and Apps to measure LUFS, RMS and True Peaks, you can download them here. Add them as a effect Plugin to your DAW and visualize true loudness of your tracks and compare with other reference songs.

• DP Meter 3 (Free LUFS Meter)
• Youlean Loudness Meter 2 (Free LUFS Meter)
• Loudness Penalty Analyzer (Use this Web-App to find out if your music will be turned down by Streaming Services) 

Audio files are sent to streaming providers by various distributors. Since the delivered music was mastered to different volume levels, Spotify, Apple Music and Youtube Music want to guarantee the best listening experience when playing the songs.

You can imagine if you had to manually change the volume of each song while listening to playlists, it would be very annoying. That's why the loudness normalization comes into play, so that all heard songs are felt the same way.

However, you can turn this setting off in Spotify to hear if songs have been mastered at different volumes.

To do this, go to Spotify Settings / Audio Quality / Default Volume and turn the function on or off.

You can master with every DAW, but here are some interesting options to finalize your mastering projects. These top mastering DAW's are optimized to save you time, add meta data, create DDP images for CD production, create vinyl/casette pre-master or just have a optimized workflow.

• Reaper
• Pyramix
• WaveLab
• Sequoia
• Presonus Studio One
• Samplitude
• Sadie
• DSP-Quattro
• Soundblade

Need help optimizing your mastering chain? Get your personal mastering tutorial to get the best out of your songs.

Your questions will be answered individually and adapted to your knowledge level.

Drop me a message with your request to book your mastering course because you can learn the most in a 1:1 class. Trust me; I have spent over 15,000 euros on a music production school myself in the past.

I'm also happy to answer any questions about your mixing problems. Because you can only achieve a good Master if the sound is right when mixing.

1. Try some of the mentioned Mastering Software and bring life into your music productions
2. If you have any questions or recommendations for other mastering vst plugins, please comment below this blog post
3. If you don't want to waste time, and your songs don't have the necessary sound quality yet. Try out my Mastering or Mixing Service before releasing you music.