DA INSIDER MAGAZINE 20

Da Industry Hotspot for New Talent-Music Publication

BEST INDEPENDENT ARTISTS, MODELS, FASHION, & MORE

Da Insider

20

Magazine

BIG D-Towns Finest ALL NEW

ARTISTS SUPER EXCLUSIVE

The Importance of

Mixing & Mastering

SPECIAL FEATURE

WHATS POPPING

CUSTOM SNEAKERS MAY 2020

AVAILABLE NOW

AVAILABLE NOW

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Listen to "WOAH NOW" by SET on YouTube

MARCUS ALLAND

"SILENT MOVES" ON SPOTIFY

ISSUE

#20

CONTENTS EXCLUSIVE

FEATURE STORY

BIG

Sean

Still making Detroit proud

FEATURED ARTISTS J2 Starter SET Brian C. Sha STB

EXCLUSIVE

Inside LOOK!!!

MODEL MATERIAL

WHY

mixing & mastering your project is so important

FASHION Forward Inside Look

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BRIAN C. Let's take a trip to NYC through the words and music of hip-hop artist Brian C. Born and bred in the borough of Brooklyn, this New York native represents the Big Apple to the core, showing his love for his hometown through the stories he tells of experiences personal to him and those around him.

Since his teenage years, the artist originally known as B-Camp has been establishing his career as a hip-hop musician. It wasn't until hearing Kendrick Lamar's "Good Kid Maad City" that he discovered he didn't need a cool & catchy name to be noticed. So Brian Campbell began to go by his real name Brian C., knowing that if Kendrick could create a masterpiece using his real name, then so could he. Although he had been making music since he was fresh out of high school, it wasn't until he dropped out of college that he decided to make music his full-time gig and take the seriousness up a notch.

Now working twice as hard to combat the stigma of dropping out of college to pursue a music career, Brian C. has years of experience and a catalog of dope music under his belt.

Photographer: @karlmc

He describes his sound as "a call back to the golden era of what made hip hop the genre it is today, the 80s and 90s". His music relays the narrative of the streets, reflecting the beauty of the struggle, and the art and culture that is such a huge part of Brooklyn.

Being from Bed-Stuy in particular, the home of the greats such as Biggie, Jay-Z and Spike Lee, has sparked an even greater flame underneath Brian C.

It's not just the hip-hop roots of his hometown that serves as inspiration for this talented MC. Fashion, music, current events, even a simple walk through the streets of Brooklyn can inspire his creativity. But what motivates Brian C. the most is becoming a voice for his culture and using his platform as a vehicle to make things happen. From entrepreneurship and providing opportunities, to motivating during a time that seems so dark and uncertain, Brian C. is determined to leave an impact on the world.

Photographer: @karlmc

According to Brian C., he's part of a generation of up and coming artists who have finally embraced independence. "We know and understand our worth and the value of our work. We’ve come to the realization that we don’t need the backing of major labels or even non-major labels to push our craft, but labels as a whole need us artists to validate them as a conglomerate."

As he continues to learn these jewels, not only about the business side of music, but also new studio techniques as well, he passes these gems on to his little brother, a budding young artist who goes by the name of Merv Dinero. According to Brian C., Dinero is coming into his own as an artist and is destined to take the world by storm.

Although the pandemic has put some aspects of entertainment on pause, Brian C. is still on the grind, with a new EP titled "2427" available on all streaming platforms (including Apple Music, Tidal, and Spotify) along with previously released music. Listeners can access other content, including music videos, features, and other articles on his hyperlink ( https://shor.by/Xb47) Brian C. has something very special planned for this new EP that he's keeping under wraps, but he assures that it'll be worth the wait. We look forward to seeing what Brian C. has in store for his new music and anything else he has under his sleeve, because with his music savvy, there's no telling where his creativity will take him!

LINKS Brian C. on Apple Music Spotify Hyperlink for more content Instagram: @brianctheartist

Lite Up

@LiteUp_Eyewear

S E T

From the Inland Empire region of West Covina, California comes a songstress with a vibe that is undeniable. Sierra Eva Taylor, otherwise known as SET, is slaying on the

music scene and stepping on the necks of the competition. From the sultry sound of her voice to her bona fide sex appeal, she's putting the pressure on females to step up their game. But there's more to this rising star than just surface splendor. The depth of

storytelling in her music is epic, and the cinematic quality of her videos is unparalleled.

So fasten your seat belts and prepare yourself to witness the magic that is SET.

Growing up in the golden state, SET was influenced by a number of factors that would play a part in molding her into the woman she would become. Having a father that was a DJ in the Inland Empire, and a mother that was an exotic dancer, SET was exposed to an array of music genres. Her dad, with his long hair and heavy metal vibe ran in the same circles as a few basketball players and introduced her to music that ranged from Metallica and Lincoln Park, to Jay-Z and Dr. Dre. Her mom, although only around for about two years, rocked more of a Madonna vibe and other pop icons. Even before birth, SET attended a Metallica concert with her parents while still in her mother's tummy. She would later be introduced to bands like Tool and other progressive rock artists by her brother, which opened the door to a bunch of new alternative music as well.

Although she was surrounded by music growing up, SET never actually considered writing her own songs, so her introduction to song-writing was sort of a lucky accident. Her very first song "LAimless", a song about her best friend, came about as a result of singing random melodies during long car drives to her dad's in a car with no radio. The response to her first song was a positive one, and it created somewhat of a snowball effect. So just like "LAimless", SET began to write music to convey emotions that were more difficult to properly articulate in normal conversation.

Fast forward three years to the present, and Sierra Eva Taylor has found her lane, creating epic songs that not only tell a story, but manage to get across every guttural detail. Finding comfort in talking about uncomfortable topics, SET wants "people to feel like their soul just got punched in the face with feelings". Ruin Magazine founder, Rick Florino, referred to her sound as "cinematic pop", which according to SET, is a perfect description of

her unique vibe. One of her biggest inspirations happens to be someone else with a really unique vibe, Mother Monster herself, Lady GaGa. But SET's inspiration comes from a wider scope than just pop music. Icons like Della Reese from the 1920s cocktail bar music era, and the writing and filming style of star film director Quentin Tarantino are also influential.

In the face of the coronavirus and its impact on music, SET continues to make moves and even thrive in the wake of its effects. The Covid-19 quarantine has given her the opportunity to learn how to work around labels and be an independent artist.

Finding her target audience, increasing her marketing, and ultimately making music for a living are all immediate goals for SET. Having already worked on a few collaborations with fellow artist Badd Wolf from Slumerica, working with them again is also a goal of hers. Some of SET's more long term goals include rubbing elbows with Machine Gun Kelly, K-Thrash, Travis Barker and the whole DTA Records scene, and eventually having her music featured in bad-ass action films or television shows.

Clearly, she's on her way to achieving whatever she sets forth. She's already been named in the top 10 of Buzz LA's Music Favs of 2019. Her most recent release is titled "Woah Now", and it delivers on everything fans have come to expect from Sierra Eva Taylor. But if there's one thing we've learned when it comes to talent like SET's, it is to expect the unexpected.

Sierra Eve Taylor's Links: SPOTIFY

YouTube Instagram Website

Listen to J2's "A Cold Day in Hell" Now

Custom Kicks

K IC

S

EXCLUSIVE

@Ells_customs

@JarCustoms Photo by: Ryan Herrera

LOOKING ONWARD AND UPWARD

DETROIT'S OWN/ FLY AS A MILITARY DRONE/ WITH

KILLING EVERY POEM

SKULL

& BONE

ALL FROM HIS THRONE

BIG SEAN

Eight years after releasing his renowned mixtape "Detroit", Grammy-nominated rapper Big Sean returns with the long-awaited sequel, "Detroit 2".

Sean's fifth studio album, released in September of 2020, is a Platinum-selling 21-track love letter to his beloved hometown featuring guest appearances from Lil Wayne, Diddy, Erykah Badu, Travis Scott, JhenĂŠ Aiko, Dave Chappelle, Post Malone and more, with special appearances by Stevie Wonder and fellow Detroiter, Eminem. For Sean, this latest project was a return to his roots, roots planted deeply in the heart of the "D", the place where his inevitable journey to stardom began. The Platinum-selling artist has reveled in an impressive music career in hip-hop since grabbing the attention of his future mentor, Kanye West in 2005.

Although Sean can easily match wits with some of the biggest heavyweights in the game, he does so with an aura of humble relatability. His "regular guy who made it big" persona has become somewhat of a trademark, and despite a more than adequate amount of flexing, he gives off a quality much more reserved than the usual braggadocio of rappers of his caliber. The selfproclaimed underdog manages to maintain a down-toearthness that is universally engaging, so needless to say for Big Sean fans, "Detroit 2" was a welcome addition to Sean's already fascinating catalog of music.

BIG On March 25, 1988 in the city of Santa Monica, California, a star was born. Sean Michael-Leonard Anderson , apparently born with greatness flowing through his veins, is the grandson of Mildred Leonard, one of the first ever black female captains in the U.S. Army. It was his grandmother, along with his mother, who moved him to and raised him in Detroit, Michigan. Education was a huge part of his foundation from the start, and he attended what is now the only remaining independently private academy left in Detroit today, Detroit Waldorf School. He went on to graduate from Cass Technical High School with a GPA of 3.7, a high school also attended by noted musicians Diana Ross.

Lily Tomlin, Jack White and Alice Coltrane. While excelling educationally, Sean also landed a position as host of a local hip-hop radio show on WHTD. This gig granted him access to weekly rap battle contests, those of which helped him sharpen his lyricism, mainly the one-word punchline style of rap he has been credited with pioneering, commonly known as "Supa Dupa".

In 2005, Sean made a move that would change his life forever.

Hearing that Kanye West would be making an appearance at a nearby radio station, a determined Sean headed over in hopes of meeting the music mogul. Reluctantly, West gave him the opportunity to spit 16 bars. Impressed with his raw talent, West agreed to take Sean's demo tape and two years later, Sean was signed to Kanye's GOOD Music label. He hit the ground running, releasing his first official mixtape in September of 2007 titled "Finally Famous", with the hit single "Get'cha Some" garnering major media attention and landing him articles in The Source as well as Detroit Metro Times. Sean continued to release a series of mixtapes featuring a number of major artists including Tyga, Drake, Dom Kennedy, Bun B, Curren$y, Mike Posner and Chip tha Ripper.

SEAN Sean's debut studio album, also titled "Finally Famous",was released in June of 2011, featuring three hit singles "My Last", "Marvin & Chardonnay", and "Dance (Ass)". The album reflected on Sean's years of hard work before finally making it in the industry and featured guest appearances by John Legend, Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Pharell, Kanye West and more.

The album peaked at #3 on the Billboard 200 and was certified Platinum. Everything seemed to be flowing in the right direction for Sean until one incident threatened to interrupt his progress.

On August 4, 2011 Sean was arrested and charged with 3rd degree sexual assault for an incident that allegedly took place at a concert in New York. He took a plea deal and plead guilty to 2nd degree unlawful imprisonment, having the sexual assault charges dropped as part of the deal.

Sean's legal issues may have put him on pause, but they definitely didn't stop his show. In 2013, the "Switch Up" rapper launched his own clothing company, "Aura Gold", and released his second album "Hall of Fame", featuring Lil Wayne, Common, Nas, Miguel and JhenĂŠ Aiko. This album failed to meet the level of success as the former, but was still certified gold. Sean's movemaking wasn't just limited to the industry, and he announced his ongoing relationship with now deceased actress Naya Rivera in April of 2013. Their relationship progressed to a short-lived engagement, which ended in April of 2014. Nevertheless Sean continued powering forward, and on September 12, 2014 he announced a new management deal that he signed with Roc Nation, simultaneously releasing four new songs from his upcoming album. It was also around this time that multi-talented artist Ariana Grande confirmed her fleeting relationship with Sean, which lasted only eight months.

When "Dark Sky Paradise" made it's debut in February of 2015, not only did it make it's way to the top of the Billboard chart (making it his first No.1 album), it also revealed a testier, more edgy side of the "Paradise" rapper. In his material he resentfully touched upon what he felt like was the failed success of his second album. He also fired shots at his former fiance in the single "IDFWU". In March of 2016, Sean celebrated his 28th birthday by releasing a new track titled "Get My Sh*t Together", and two days later he announced "Twenty88", musical duo and selftitled album with JhenĂŠ Aiko. The impromptu collaboration sparked rumors of romance between then-married Aiko and the rapper, rumors that ultimately led to a public falling out between Sean and former fellow GOOD Music signee, Kid Cudi.

Still, amidst all the drama, he didn't allow the humanitarian in him to be overshadowed, so in the same month he donated $10,000 to the Flint Water Crisis in Michigan.

Big Sean's fourth studio album "I Decided" was released in February of 2017 and became his second No.1 album. The bulk of this storytelling album was recorded in Europe, with Sean traveling overseas and making music in a studio on the back of his tour bus. This unconventional yet enchanting backdrop gave the music a different feel, and allowed Sean to approach the songs with more confidence. Basically broken up into four acts, "I Decided" tells a story of wasted life, death, rebirth, and second chances. Two months after it's release, Sean was offered the official key to the city of Detroit for his contributions to his own Sean Anderson foundation, which assists in the education, health, safety and well-being of youths in underserved communities across the country.

From the purchase of his 7 bedroom, multi million dollar home, to his now confirmed relationship with JhenĂŠ Aiko, everything seemed to be smooth sailing for Big Sean, until suddenly it wasn't. Ten years after the release of his debut mixtape, Sean made the difficult decision to take a leave of absence. Making music was something he had wanted to do since the age of 11, but he got to a point where he began to feel burnt out, and making music felt more like a job than a passion. The disconnect led to feelings of depression, anxiety, and even loss of the will to live, so he made the decision to step away from music, and began focusing on therapy and spirituality. The move definitely angered some people, and caused Sean to lose out on money, but for the "Play No Games" rapper, it was either that or certain selfdestruction. The healing process that followed formed the foundation for Sean's charttopping fifth album, "Detroit 2".

After serious reevaluation of his life and realizing that his purpose is to inspire people, Sean felt empowered to begin talking about things he'd previously kept private. "Deep Reverence", the lead single for "Detroit 2", featuring late rapper Nipsey Hussle, revealed the miscarriage Aiko and Sean suffered. On "Lucky Me" Sean opened up about having heart disease at the age of 19.

Sean's hiatus fostered in him a level of growth in which he realized that privacy would have to be sacrificed if he wanted to inspire and relate to the masses. The relationship between sacrifice and success is a concept that's been communicated in much of Sean's music. Failures, successes, breakups and makeups have all been documented in the rapper's albums and mixtapes, the hard-working teenager from Detroit who, through determination and luck, caught the attention of one of the biggest moguls in hip-hop. A fearless young man who consciously made the choice not to be part of the "black man from Detroit" statistic, and took fate into his own hands.

Unlike many of his musical counterparts, including Kanye West, who suggest that traditional learning environments are inadequate for uniquely artistic minds such as their own, Sean actually credits much of his success to his educational opportunities. It's that type of relatability that gives hope to the "regular", hard workers out there with big dreams, that if this selfproclaimed underdog can become a multiple BET award winning, Grammy-nominated, Platinumselling artist, then maybe, just maybe the impossible isn't really so impossible after all.

POP SMOKE

SHOOT FOR THE STARS AIM FOR THE MOON

Available Now!!!

She's a young prodigy with a sound and vibe unlike anyone else in the game right now.

She's managed to incorporate her musical background with the grittiness of the streets, plus lyrics tough enough to spar with the best of them. Hailing from Peekskill, New York and ready to set the music game on fire is none other than hiphop artist, Sha STB.

SHA ST

Special shoutouts: "STB ENT UP NEXT.... BE ON THE LOOK OUT FOR US!!

FREE MB... FREE MK! Shout out to the whole STB ENT. Special thanks to my mom, girlfriend, and management team for being there when nobody was."

When you hear the name Peekskill, the hood is usually not the first thing that comes to mind, but that's exactly where Sha says she grew up. The beautiful town of Peekskill, where gangs, fighting and shootings are surprisingly not uncommon, has been the source of many of Sha's stories, which she tells through her music. And what a story she has. From having a mother who sold drugs, to actually being shot not too far from where she once lived, Sha has clearly fought through a number of obstacles and now she's fighting her way to the top of her music career.

Her versatility gives her an edge over the competition and allows her to stand out in a market that's highly over saturated. Having taken music lessons as a child, even having experience singing in a church, has made her a force to be reckoned with. She can sing, she can rap, and she can harmonize, a three-piece combo which makes her a major threat. Although mixing rap and melodies isn't brand new to the game, you'd be hard-pressed to find an artist with a style and flow like Sha STB. It's a sound she's been molding and perfecting since she started making music at the age of eight.

SHA STB's Links: https://youtu.be/yCUFshoimok https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ shastb/problems-2 https://distrokid.com/hyperfollow/ shastb/talking-to-the-sky

Now that she's been sharing her music with the world on SoundCloud for the past four years, and bringing her songs to life with music videos for the past year and a half, Sha is setting herself up for success.

And it couldn't happen at a more perfect time than now, when the female presence in the rap industry is growing exponentially. According to Sha, "The industry is in a great place right now. I personally think it’s awesome that so many gifted artists are getting to shine and show their talent, especially female artists.

They’re at a rise in the industry right now." One female artist in particular has inspired Sha by crushing the game with her multiple Grammy wins at such a young age, the incomparable Billie Eilish, who has only just begun leaving her footprint on the music world.

In addition to leaving her own footprint, Sha's goal is basically to "secure the breesh", otherwise known as the bag, which is where the STB in her name comes from. Her goal is to be legendary, working hard to secure her spot as well as creating spots for other artists by forming her own record label. But first things first, the next step for Sha will be to graduate and attend college while continuing to work on her passion. The excitement she gets from listening to a competed song makes her feel great about what she does, and she hopes that each listener is personally touched and can relate to the feelings she conveys through her music. Sha's singles “Problems” and “Want It All” are available on all platforms including Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify, and more. Her music videos “Problems”, “Sha Locc”, “Hallways”, and more are available on YouTube under "SHA STB" and "STB ENT".

Listen to "2427" Now on Apple Music

EXCLUSIVE

L E D O M

@Mariatichinska Photo By: @kate.biyumen

Photo By: @kate.biyumen

@Mariatichinska

Mariatichinska @

Photo By: @kate.biyumen

@Mariatichinska

Photo By: @kate.biyumen

@Mariatichinska Photo By: @kate.biyumen

@Mariatichinska

Photo By: @kate.biyumen

Listen to "Talking to the Sky"

by Sha STB

J2 STARTER Ladies and Gents, for those who don't already know, allow us to re-introduce a friend to D.I.M. and Brooklyn native, J2 Starter. Here to give us an exclusive inside on his new project release, J2 is serving us the scoop on everything album related, from his motivation and the recording process, to the impact of the coronavirus. Get ready to go behind the scenes on the making of a fire new album. This is J2 Starter, TAKE 2.

First we would like to say welcome back J2, and congratulations on the new album.

What did you title this new project and why?

First off let me start by saying, God bless you guys and I'm glad we're still here accomplishing and building a stronger bond and relationship.

I'm highly grateful for that. You guys are the best (laughs). Um, the new album is called "Cold Day In Hell". The title is an oxymoron with a nice ring to it, I'd say.

What was the motivation for the new album?

Um, I'd say I was motivated by this year in general (laughs). 2020 has proven to be one of the most challenging years we ever had to endure all across the board. So unpredictable with the rapid deaths, the loss of our jobs, and necessary lifestyle changes. I would describe this album as a reflection of my personal feelings and the climate of life we're living through currently.

What would you say your new album most represents?

I think this album represents the idea of defiance.

Despite everything we're going through, we're still fighting and finding a way to continue our lives. I think this album has a lot of the fighting spirit in it. So in essence, I also think it represents hope and coming out of a bad situation unscathed. I think in these times, it's very important for that type of message, as life is very unpredictable, and we need to find a way to stay encouraged.

How many tracks did you feature on this album, and is there a science to how many songs you choose to put on an album?

This album has 16 tracks total. There's always a science to how I sequence my albums, and how many songs are on it. I just rather not say (laughs). I love letting the fans use their imagination and figure out the overall purposes of my albums. Some people get it, and some don't, but hey, at least they listened and enjoyed it.

Did you release any of the tracks as singles?

Um, for this album, I actually didn't release any singles. I surprised my fans with the announcement as the track list was close to release. I mean, they follow me, so they knew I was making music, but they never knew when it was coming. I let this album have the aesthetic of 2020 in general. Nobody saw how this year was going to play out, and nobody knew I was dropping anything this year.

Perfect strategy, if you ask me. (laughs) How long has this album been in the works and what was the recording process like?

I'd say this album has been in the works since early April. I wrote the title track in early April, and decided to change the entire direction of the project. I thought it was essential to make records surrounding current day turmoil, and to send my words of encouragement. The recording process has been extremely emotional and difficult to get through but we

pushed through it. This album definitely has it's emotional moments and I'm excited for the people to enjoy it.

How has the Coronavirus pandemic had an impact on this album?

The coronavirus pandemic had a impact on this album content wise, I can definitely say that.

Other than that, the pandemic, hasn't stopped the daily grind or hustle. I pretty much continued doing what I've been doing for four years now consecutively. Another lesson in itself, don't let nothing stop you.

In a time where racial injustice on many levels has become more transparent,

people seem to be open to more conscious music. Do you feel any responsibility to address social issues poetically?

Um, my album definitely addresses racial injustice and my viewpoints on it. I'll let you guys in on a secret, the album actually opens up addressing such issues. Also, there are songs throughout the album that attack the subject in other aspects and areas. I feel like it's a necessary responsibility for me to address political issues because I developed a platform in which I can speak for people around the world. I think it's natural for me to speak on such things because we all share the same common pain, and we all want justice and change.

What would you say goes into making a new album that listeners can relate to?

I think the challenge is being unique yet relatable.

I actually don't think about relating to people initially because I write and record everything from my heart and people relate to me automatically. I feel like a magnet. (laughs) We all go through the same constant struggles, so my music never comes across like I'm far removed from the listeners at all. I'm transparent and my lyrics are authentic. My listeners know I''m being sincere in everything I record, so they appreciate the content I deliver every time.

What eect would you ultimately like to see this new release have on your listeners?

I would like my listeners and fans to enjoy this album, and apply the messages in these songs to their everyday lives. I take my time to craft each album with full thoughts and emotions, and it translates every time. This release should restore the hope and fearlessness in every individual that puts it on, and I'm confident it will do so.

J2, we want to thank you for giving us the inside on your new album. We wish you all the best. What future moves can we look forward to seeing from you?

I can't tell you (laughs). Um strategically, every move I make is a surprise. That's my new approach to maneuver in this industry. I want it to feel special every time the public gets a chance to see me. It's power in the mystery, man. (laughs) I can confidently say to my fans and the readers, that you will be hearing my name a lot in the coming years and I'm extremely grateful for every opportunity. I would like to close this out by saying, I appreciate you guys and hopefully we can continue to build in the future. To the fans, thanks for all the support.

Make sure you follow me on all social platforms.

Type in J2-Starter on any social platform and I should pop up. I appreciate the time, and God bless everybody, let's make it happen. I won.

FACEBOOK TWITTER INSTAGRAM SOUNDCLOUD

Listen to J2 Starter on SoundCloud

The IMPORTANCE of

Mixing

and

Mastering

In

this new age of "do-it-yourself" music careers, many artists have begun taking career-building aspects into their own hands. Thanks to large-scale advances in technology, not to mention major shutdowns due to the pandemic, recording, distributing, marketing, and promoting are all things that independent artists are able to do for themselves. However, there are some things that should still be left to the professionals, and some of those things include the mixing and mastering of your recorded music. Many artists question the importance of the mixing and mastering process, or if it's even necessary at all. The answer to that question is mixing and mastering is absolutely necessary for a finished product that is radio-ready and brings out the best in your music. So for those who aren't that familiar with the process, let's take a closer look at the two.

The main goal of mixing and mastering is simply to bring forth the very best sound your music has to offer. Having your songs mixed and mastered can make all the difference between getting noticed or having your music brushed under the rug with the other amateurs. Let's start with the mixing process.

Mixing Mixing is the art of blending the individual aspects of a recording to give the song a balanced and harmonious finish. It's basically making sure all the different parts of a song are in place and working together. There are a number of components that go into the mixing process.

~ Fine-tuning the sound of each instrument is imperative to ensure that all instruments are heard clearly, without any being drowned out or overshadowed by the other. ~ Because different parts of songs are usually recorded on multiple levels, mixing also includes balancing the pre-recorded track levels so that the volume and sound is even across the board. ~ Another important part of mixing is panning the tracks between the speakers.

This basically means adjusting the spatial balance of the audio between the left and right speakers, creating stereo enhancement for a fuller, wider sound. ~ Compression corrects or adjusts the dynamic range of your audio. It keeps the louder parts in check, while bringing up the quieter parts to achieve an overall uniformity in sound. It decreases the difference in volume between let's say, a whisper and a scream on the same track. ~ Automation is the process of ensuring that certain features and effects appear where they are supposed to be everytime the track is played. This can include anything from adding reverb or fading, to volume adjustments.

Mastering After the final mix-down comes the mastering process. The term mastering originates from "the master copy", from which all duplications are made. The goal of mastering is to give music the best possible sound across all audio platforms. A well-mastered project can be distributed in multiple formats and still maintain a cohesive sound, on CDs, tapes, or vinyl, or on streaming services such as iTunes, SoundCloud or Spotify. It optimizes playback quality on all devices from tiny headphones to massive club sound systems. Here are a few more reasons why mastering is so crucial.

~ It allows for restoration of any small errors missed in the original mix. It's like a final quality check from a fresh set of experienced ears, ears that are more likely to pick up a mistake that had been overlooked. ~ Mastering further equalizes spectral imbalances, making sure no frequency range is standing out and every sound is well-balanced and proportional. ~ Part of mastering includes incorporating a limiter. A limiter sets an overall loudness cap, an appropriate volume ceiling that allows the track to be competitively loud, but not to a level that leads to audio distortion. ~ Sequencing and spacing is one of the final steps of mastering. It consists of putting your tracks in the order that flows the best, and deciding how much of a gap or silence to place in between each track. Fades can also be added to the endings of songs during this process.

Basically mastering puts the finishing touches on the final mix. It ensures the uniformity and consistency of sound between multiple tracks, making sure that the album flows and sounds c o h e s i v e t h ro u g h o u t . M a s t e r i n g engineers require an attentiveness and experience that no other person in the music making process has. After mastering, audio should sound complete, balanced and professional, giving your music a clean, appealing sound. So is it necessary to have your final product mixed and mastered? If your intent is to create music on a level that's professional enough to compete with songs getting radio play, then mixing and mastering is imperative to releasing your work with certainty and confidence.

@PEY_SOLES

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