Do you actually need a dedicated mastering engineer… or is mastering just an extra expense for DIY bands?

It’s a fair question.

Budgets are tight. Everyone’s wearing multiple hats. And mastering is one of the most misunderstood parts of the production process.

A lot of bands think:

“If the mix sounds good, we’re done.”

But skipping proper mastering is one of the fastest ways to make a great mix feel underwhelming once it leaves the studio.

In this week’s episode, I’m breaking down why using a dedicated mastering engineer can dramatically improve your release, and when it actually makes sense to separate mixing and mastering.

The main topics I discuss include:

• What mastering actually does
• Why most bands skip a dedicated mastering engineer
• The value of outside perspective after mixing
• Why collaboration leads to better records
• How mastering impacts translation across speakers and streaming platforms
• Bonus: how working with established mastering engineers can help long-term

If you’re spending months writing, recording, and mixing a song, stopping short of proper mastering is like quitting five feet before the finish line.

🔥 Hire me to mix your next track: https://liquidstudiosli.com/offer-video-2
📥 Free Resources For Metal Bands: https://liquidstudiosli.com/resources
👉 Subscribe for more metal production tips: https://youtube.com/@danielthabet?sub_confirmation=1