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Once Dean sent over the final mix as an uncompressed WAV file, the mastering engineer worked on enhancing the track's loudness and adding the desired subtle sonic qualities. The final output was a mastered version that showcased the improvements every listener expects from a professionally produced song.
Listening to the Differences
Perhaps the most compelling way to grasp the differences between mixing and mastering is through auditory examples. Dean played segments from both his mix and the mastered version, illustrating the noticeable differences in volume and richness.
The mastered version was louder and had a perceived warmth in the low-end frequencies, alongside enhanced brightness in the lead vocals – details that were less evident or virtually absent in the mix.