Tutorial Overview
Mastering can feel like a mysterious final step… especially for home-studio producers working entirely inside Cubase. This tutorial focuses on building a clear, repeatable mastering workflow using only the stock plugins included with Cubase Pro, with an emphasis on why each decision is made rather than chasing presets or loudness targets.
Throughout the course, we work through practical mastering examples using short demo mixes in three different styles of music — Rock, Electronic, and Acoustic/Jazz — to clearly demonstrate specific mastering decisions without unnecessary distractions. These focused examples make it easier to hear how small changes affect tone, dynamics, and stereo image when mastering different types of material. Rather than presenting a single “correct” chain, the goal is to help you understand how to listen, evaluate, and adapt your mastering decisions based on the needs of the song.
This course is designed to give you solid starting points and real-world context for mastering your own tracks in Cubase. The techniques covered here are widely accepted best practices, not rigid rules… every song is different, and this tutorial is about giving you the building blocks to make informed, musical decisions inside Cubase.
Chapter 1 – Mastering Setup and Listening Environment
- Preparing a Cubase project specifically for mastering
- Understanding sample rate, bit depth, and the 64-bit audio engine
- Control Room setup and monitoring considerations
- Why mastering decisions start before the first plugin
Chapter 2 – Corrective Processing (The Clean-Up Stage)
- Identifying mix-wide problems that belong in mastering
- Corrective EQ using Frequency 2
- Dynamic EQ for controlling problem frequencies transparently
- Using spectral analysis to support critical listening
- Where corrective processing fits in the mastering signal flow
Chapter 3 – Dynamics and Level Management
- Understanding dynamics in a mastering context
- Gain staging inside the mastering chain
- Comparing stock Cubase dynamics tools for mastering use
- Applying dynamics differently for Rock, Electronic, and Acoustic material
- Preserving punch, energy, and musical intent
Chapter 4 – Stereo Width, Tone, and Perspective
- Evaluating tone and width without being misled by loudness
- Using subtle saturation to shape density and perceived warmth
- Understanding how harmonic content affects stereo image and depth
- Enhancing width without damaging mono compatibility
- Mid/Side considerations for tone versus space
- Genre-specific approaches to tonal balance and width
Chapter 5 – Loudness, Metering, and Musical Judgment
- Understanding loudness targets and delivery expectations
- Using Cubase metering tools effectively
- When the meters look right but the music feels wrong
- Balancing technical requirements with musical feel
Chapter 6 – Finalizing and Delivering Multiple Masters
- Preparing different masters for different delivery formats
- Why one master rarely fits every use case
- Export considerations inside Cubase
- Building a reliable end-of-chain workflow