How to Master a Song

What mastering actually does

Mastering is the last creative step before release. It is not remixing. It works on the stereo mix as a whole, gently correcting tonal balance with EQ, tightening dynamics with compression and limiting, shaping the stereo image, and raising the overall loudness to a target level. Done well, it makes a track sound finished, consistent, and ready to sit next to commercial releases.

Mastering also targets a loudness standard measured in LUFS. Streaming platforms normalize toward around -14 LUFS, so a good master lands near that level for its genre rather than being pushed as loud as possible.

How to master your song free

You can master a song yourself with plugins, hire a mastering engineer, or use an automated masterer. The fastest free route is AetherWave: upload your mix, choose the preset that matches your genre, and download a finished 24-bit / 48 kHz WAV. It applies the EQ, compression, and loudness for you, and your first master is on us.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between mixing and mastering?

Mixing balances the individual tracks within a song. Mastering works on the final stereo mix as a whole, applying tonal balance, dynamics, and loudness so the finished track translates well everywhere.

What loudness should I master to?

Streaming platforms normalize toward roughly -14 LUFS, so most tracks are mastered near that level for their genre. AetherWave's presets each target the right loudness automatically.

Can I master a song for free?

Yes. AetherWave masters your first track free and returns a studio-quality WAV, with no software to install.