Quick Answer
Keep the master chain minimal. All tonal and dynamic decisions should happen at the premaster stage or earlier. The master chain protects the output.
Overview
Two-Stage Mastering Logic
The mastering chain is short and purposeful. Tone at the premaster, output protection at the master. This separation ensures tonal decisions are made before the final limiting stage, not after.
The premaster is the creative stage. The master chain is the delivery stage. Mixing these responsibilities produces worse decisions at both levels.
Step by Step
Processing Order
Handle tonal correction and spectral balancing at the premaster stage.
Use tape smoothing before the limiter for cohesion.
Set the final limiter ceiling to −0.3 dBTP for streaming delivery.
Plugin Examples
What to Use and Why
The God Particle for tonal targeting at the premaster stage.
UAD Ampex ATR-102 for tape cohesion before the final limiter.
FabFilter Pro-L2 for true peak limiting with transparent behavior.
Stock Logic Alternatives
No Third-Party Plugins? No Problem.
Logic Channel EQ for tonal correction at the premaster.
Logic Adaptive Limiter for output peak control.
Logic Mastering module for native reference output framing.
Avoid These
Common Mistakes
Trying to make tonal corrections at the master stage instead of earlier.
Over-limiting to hit commercial loudness benchmarks during mixing.
Using heavy compression at the master stage instead of the premaster.