How to Master a Song Manually in Logic Pro
Master your own tracks manually in Logic Pro using EQ, Compression, and Limiting to achieve a balanced, professional sound for distribution.
This guide explains how to build a custom mastering chain to polish your audio manually. You will learn the correct order of effects to ensure a clear, loud, and balanced final product.
Follow these steps
Balance with EQ
Insert the Channel EQ on your Stereo Out track to remove unwanted sub-bass below 30Hz. Use subtle wide boosts or cuts to balance the overall frequency spectrum of the song.
Glue the Mix
Add the Stereo Compressor to glue the mix together using a low ratio like 1.5:1 or 2:1. Aim for only 1-2dB of gain reduction to maintain the natural dynamics of the performance.
Refine the Tone
Apply a Linear Phase EQ if you need surgical frequency corrections without shifting the phase of your audio. This is ideal for cleaning up specific harsh frequencies in the high-mids.
Apply Final Limiting
Place the Adaptive Limiter at the very end of your chain to increase the volume safely. Set the 'Out Ceiling' to -1.0 dB to prevent digital clipping during conversion to MP3.
Common mistakes
- Applying too much compression, which destroys the track's dynamic range.
- Boosting low frequencies excessively, causing the master to sound muddy.