Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter 17 1 Fundamentals of Audio Production Chapter Seventeen: Editing, sweetening and postproduction

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter 17 2 Postproduction Audio and video projects are created in three phases –Preproduction is the planning and preparation phase –Production is the recording or shooting phase –Postproduction is the final phase during which the product is prepared for duplication Audio postproduction for music is often called “mastering,” while for audio postproduction for film/video is called “sweetening”

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter 17 3 Mastering Mastering is now accomplished on digital audio workstations Levels are normalized Phase errors are corrected Equalization may be adjusted One key to mastering is assuring that the sound system is accurate, so results are predictable

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter 17 4 Processing in mastering Some mastering engineers use proprietary devices such as the Aural Exciter or the Sonic Maximizer –These devices, according to the manufacturers, provide bass and treble boost, correct phase inconsistencies, and extend frequency response by restoring lost harmonics

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter 17 5 Processing in mastering Other processors may include –De-essers –Sibilance controllers –Stereo enhancers

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter 17 6 Making records First step is transferring the recording to a lacquer disk A cutting lathe cuts a groove in the lacquer using a heated vibrating stylus

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter 17 7 Disk cutting lathe

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter 17 8 Disk cutting lathe

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter 17 9 Making records A nickel master is made from the lacquer disk – it is a negative with ridges instead of grooves A metal mother is made from the nickel master – the mother is a positive with grooves Stampers are made from the mother – stampers are negatives with ridges

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter Making records Stampers are placed in the press Pucks of vinyl are placed in the press, and heated under pressure The ridges of the stamper create grooves in the vinyl

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter Making records Pellets of black vinyl Vinyl pellets are heated and extruded Vinyl is extruded into pucks

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter Making records LP press with stamper in place ready for a puck and labels

Fundamentals of Audio Production. Chapter Making CDs Glass master disks are created by lasers which burn microscopic pits into the disk surface From the glass masters, negative fathers are created Metal mothers are created from the fathers Stampers come from the mothers CDs are pressed using injection molding