That three-plugin chain can master 90% of tracks professionally.
The signal flow generally consists of:
| Mistake | Why It's Bad | Fix | |---------|--------------|-----| | Over-limiting (10+ dB GR) | Loss of punch, distortion, ear fatigue | Aim for 3-5 dB max. Turn up mix instead. | | Using Linear Phase EQ on low-end HPF | Pre-ringing artifacts (clicky sub bass) | Use standard EQ (e.g., Q10) for HPF below 40 Hz. | | C6 compressing too many bands | Mix becomes thin and lifeless | Start with 2-3 bands active only. | | Ignoring True Peak | Streaming services add extra distortion | Set L3 ceiling to -1.0 dB TP. | | Mastering in solo (no reference) | Your ears lie after 20 minutes | Use Waves + reference track (import and A/B). | waves mastering plugin
Overuse kills punch. Aim for 1-3 dB gain reduction per band maximum. That three-plugin chain can master 90% of tracks