Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science / Edition 3

by Bob Katz

Overview

In an easy-to-grasp, holistic manner Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science, Third Edition unravels the technical mysteries that regularly challenge audio engineers. Including practical tips and real world experiences, Bob Katz explains the technical detail of the subject in his informative and humorous style. Completely reorganized to focus on workflow, this third edition details mastering by providing a step-by-step approach to the process. First covering practical techniques and basic theory, this industry classic also addresses advanced theory and practice. The book’s new approach is especially suitable to accompany a one- or two-term course in audio and mastering.

Completely rewritten and organized to address changes that will continue to influence the audio world, this third edition includes several new chapters addressing the influence of loudness measurement and assessment and provides explanation of how mastering engineers must integrate loudness measurement and PLR assessment in their mastering techniques.

Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science, Third Edition also includes the newest approaches to equalization, monitor response measurement and correction, the psychoacoustics of clipping, an extended discussion of restoration and noise reduction techniques, an extended set of listening examples, and an updated chapter on surround mastering including coverage of Pure Audio BluRay.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780240818962
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
Publication date:	09/25/2014
Edition description:	Revised
Pages:	408
Sales rank:	793,086
Product dimensions:	8.40(w) x 9.10(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Bob Katz played the B flat clarinet from the age of 10, and his lifelong love of sound and music led him to become a professional recording, mixing and mastering engineer, beginning in 1971. Receiving many nominations, three of Bob’s recordings have garnered the prestigious Grammy™ award, and his work has been praised in publications such as Stereo Review, Audio, and Stereophile. Bob has written numerous articles and reviews for audio and computer publications as well as the digido.com website. Katz’s processors and support gear, including patented inventions K-Stereo and K-Surround, are in use at mastering studios worldwide and fill a missing link in mastering and post-production. Bob’s entertaining seminars and workshops around the world grew from his unique ability to simplify complex topics. He runs Digital Domain Studios north of Orlando, Florida, mastering all styles of music for major and independent labels.

Table of Contents

Part 1 Preparation
Chapter 1- No mastering engineer is an island
Chapter 2- connecting it together
Chapter 3- An Earientation session
Chpater4- Word lengths and dither
Chapter 5- Decibels: Not for Dummies
Chapter 6- Monitor quality

Part 2 Mastering Techniques
Chapter7- Putting the album together
Chapter8- Equalization
Chapter 9- Macrodynamics
Chapter 10- Downward Process
Chapter 11- The Lost process
Chapter 12- Noise reduction
Chapter 13-Top processors

Part 3- Advanced Theory and Practice
Chapter 14- How to make better recordings in the 21 century
Chapter 15- Monitor set up and calibration
Chapter 16- Additional Mastering Techniques
Chapter 17- Analog and digital processing
Chapter18- How to achieve depth and dimension in recording , mixing and mastering
Chapter19 Surround sound mastering
Chapter 20- High sample rates
Chapter 21- Jitter
Chapter 22- Technical tips and techniques

Part 4- In conclusion
Chapter23- Education Education Education

Appendices

1- Radio Ready
2- the tower of Babel
3- Preparing tapes and files
3- Premastering for vinyl
5- Tape label/ log
6- Conversations
7- I feel the need for speed
8
I feel the need for capacity
9- Footnotes on the K- system
10 Recommended reading, Test CD's
11- Biography: Eric James
12-Biogropgy: Bob Katz
13- Glossary

What People are Saying About This

From the Publisher

"If you record, you need this book. Arguably the most clearly written single source of essential audio information available, Katz populates its 335 very readable pages with fascinating insights, expert testimony, myth-debunking facts, practical techniques, and strong opinions. Ostensibly about mastering, this book goes way beyond its primary subject and covers so much critical information that it should be required reading for anyone who presses 'Record.'"—GuitarPlayer.com

Editorial Reviews

"The definitive work on mastering...an indispensable resource for anyone working with audio. If you only buy one book on audio, this has to be it - it should be required reading for anyone involved with recording, producing or mastering music."
-Sound on Sound magazine

"After reading it, you will likely consider this book to be required reading for all audio professionals, regardless of technical background, who are interested in creating better sounding audio. I know that I do." - Jim Kaiser, Journal of the AES, March 2008

"I just received my book in the mail. Bob, you did a great job with the 2nd edition. This version does not read as clinical as the first edition making it an easier read. I really like the layout and updated info you put in the book."
- Glenn Bucci, Revelation Sound Studio

"Aimed at intermediate to advanced users, what'sets this book apart is the liberal inclusion of practical tips, and the author's ability to be authoritative without being didactic. Even if you already do mastering, this book will help you do it better."
- Craig Anderton (editor of EQ magazine)

"I have no reservations when I recommend that every engineer working with audio purchase a copy of Mastering Audio."
- Tape Op Magazine, March/April 2008


"If you want to know what goes on behind the scenes in recording the music you enjoy; and learn more about digital audio, this comprehensive, insightful, and accessible book is without peer."
-Absolute Sound (Oct. 2007)

"Within the pages of the outstanding third edition of his book Mastering Audio: Tile Art and the Science, Katz not only demystifies the subject of mastering in a logical, well-organized way, but he has created a resource that will be equally of interest to pros and beginners … [The book] examines topics that are important in every stage of the recording process, such as properly dealing with dynamics and monitoring, or understanding dither and jitter. Katz also delves into mixing and effects processing from the standpoint of the mastering engineer and the types of problems he or she typically encounters. Consequently, Mastering Audio should be mandatory reading for anyone making music in a personal studio."

-Gino Robair, emusician.com

"An important reference book needed during these times of fast-changing audio resolution standards and delivery methods, Katz offers an easy-to understand approach to the many technical conundrums and mysteries that challenge even the seasoned professional audio engineer."

- Barry Rudolph, Music Connection

Praise for the previous edition:

"The definitive work on mastering...an indispensable resource for anyone working with audio. If you only buy one book on audio, this has to be it - it should be required reading for anyone involved with recording, producing or mastering music."
-Sound on Sound magazine

"After reading it, you will likely consider this book to be required reading for all audio professionals, regardless of technical background, who are interested in creating better sounding audio. I know that I do." - Jim Kaiser, Journal of the AES, March 2008

"I just received my book in the mail. Bob, you did a great job with the 2nd edition. This version does not read as clinical as the first edition making it an easier read. I really like the layout and updated info you put in the book."
- Glenn Bucci, Revelation Sound Studio

"Aimed at intermediate to advanced users, what'sets this book apart is the liberal inclusion of practical tips, and the author's ability to be authoritative without being didactic. Even if you already do mastering, this book will help you do it better."
- Craig Anderton (editor of EQ magazine)

"I have no reservations when I recommend that every engineer working with audio purchase a copy of Mastering Audio."
- Tape Op Magazine, March/April 2008


"If you want to know what goes on behind the scenes in recording the music you enjoy; and learn more about digital audio, this comprehensive, insightful, and accessible book is without peer."
-Absolute Sound (Oct. 2007)

From the Publisher