Course Description

It's one thing to dial in a great sounding master for a single song. It's another thing to dial in a well-balanced, even sound for all of the songs on an EP or album.

How do you match levels and make sure your tracks will flow smoothly from one to the next? What are the best ways to compare songs and listen to them back to back? How do you apply all of the different types of processing needed to make your master stand out?

In Mastering an EP with Ozone, we answer all of these questions - and many more. With over 4 hours of clear, detailed videos, you'll be on your way to great masters.

In this course, you'll gain an in-depth understanding of:

  • how to use a Reference Master to make your project more cohesive
  • how to apply EQ to make slight, yet important, adjustments to a mix
  • how to use dynamics processing to "squeeze" your mix while maintaining a good dynamic range
  • how to create a more exciting master using an exciter
  • how to spread out your master effectively using a stereo imager
  • how to use a second round of EQ to polish off the track
  • how to get competitive levels and overall output using a mastering limiter
  • how to achieve a smooth sound from one song to the next
  • and much, much more...

When you join this course, you'll download the full-res mix files of a 5-track EP to work with, as well as the final Ozone 6 Project File, including all of the settings for the project. Work with us step-by-step from scratch and pick apart the throught process that goes into each adjustment along the way.

The EP we'll be working with has a great modern sound and a full range of challenges that you face when mastering every day. With everything from a full pop track to a stripped-down piano ballad, this EP is the perfect place to learn how to make just about any two mixes fit well together on a single release.

Not using Ozone 6? No problem! All of the techniques and tips in this course easily apply to ANY home studio setup. Whether you're using the stock plug-ins in your DAW, a previous version of Ozone, or any other third party plug-ins, you'll be learning the fundamental skills and advanced techniques required to make great sounding masters with any equipment.

When you join this course, you'll get instant access to:

  • over 4 hours of information-filled videos detailing the process from start to finish
  • the original hi-res mix files to practice with and the full Ozone 6 project file session
  • all quizzes included to help you better understand and retain the information
  • the discussion board so that you can discuss the course with fellow engineers and the instructor
  • lifetime access, 24/7

As always, this course comes with the Multi-Platinum Guarantee: if you don't see an improvement in your skills after taking this course, your money back, no questions asked.

Aren't you sick of your tracks not sounding quite as "polished" or "pro" as your favorite commercial records? Change that with "Mastering an EP with Ozone 6" today!

Producer/Engineer, Songwriter, Multi-Instrumentalist, Instructor

Dean Palya Jr

A multi-instrumentalist, producer and songwriter on Guitar, Piano, Drums, Bass, Organ, Violin, Saxaphone and Vocals, Dean is one of the most versatile music creators working today. In addition to tracking and mixing demos and masters for a range of Nashville artists, he has produced 7 full length records of his own songs in genres as diverse as rock, pop, classical and hip hop. His ability to capture the essence of a song and portray it through the production give his recordings a sincere touch.Dean works hard to understand what an artist is trying to achieve with a project and provides the music to perfectly support and capture the emotion, feel, and sound best suited for the project. Whether it’s an intimate piano ballad, a mellow alternative track, or a high-energy dance pop tune, Dean has the tools to bring it to life.

Course curriculum

  • 1

    Getting Started with Mastering an EP with Ozone 6

  • 2

    Understanding Levels and Meters: Essential Tools During Any Mastering Project

    • An Introduction to Levels and Meters

    • The Importance of Using Meters

    • Setting Proper Levels and Understanding Metering

    • Quiz 2
  • 3

    Working with the First Track: Your Reference Master

    • An Introduction to the First Track

    • Working with EQ for Track 1

    • Applying Dynamics to the First Track

    • Using an Exciter on the First Track

    • Adding a Stereo Imager to Your First Track

    • Applying the Last Round of EQ on Track 1

    • Maximizing your Audio Using a Mastering Limiter on Track 1

    • Points to Remember on Your First Master

    • Finalizing Your Reference Master

    • Quiz 3
  • 4

    Moving Forward to the Next Similar Track

    • An Introduction to the Next Similar Track

    • Matching Your EQ Settings for Your Second Track

    • Matching the Rest of the Modules for Similar Tracks

    • Matching the Overall Levels

    • Finalizing Your Next Similar Track

    • Quiz 4
  • 5

    Mastering the Third Similar Track

    • An Introduction to the Third Similar Track

    • Matching the Third Similar Track Modules

    • The Art of Splitting the Difference

    • Finalizing the Third Similar Track

    • Quiz 5
  • 6

    Techniques and Methods of Mastering a Ballad

    • An Introduction to the First Ballad Master

    • Working with EQ on a Ballad

    • Working with the Modules on a Ballad

    • Matching Levels with a Ballad

    • Finalizing Your Ballad Master

    • Quiz 6
  • 7

    Mastering a Track in a Different Style on the EP

    • An Introduction to a Differently Produced Track

    • Listening for Key Elements in a Different Style of Production

    • Matching Levels for a Differently Produced Track

    • Finalizing Your Final Track

    • Quiz 7
  • 8

    Finalizing, Exporting, and Completing Your Master

    • Finishing Up the Job

    • Listening Back and Balancing Final Levels

    • Creating Head and Tail Fades and Choosing the Right Pacing for the EP

    • Exporting Your Final Masters and Final Thoughts

    • Quiz 8

    • Wrapping Up the Project