Top 5 Books For Audio Mastering

I have shortlisted 5 books for you to learn how to master audio and music or simply develop your skills to produce great sounding music. 

Top 5 Books For Audio Mastering

Here’s the list of Top 5 Books For Audio Mastering:

1. Audio Mastering Secrets: The Pros Don't Want You To Know! – by John Rogers 
2. The Mastering Engineer’s Handbook – by Bobby Owsinski
3. Mastering Multi-Band Compression – by Nathan Nyquist 
4. Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science – by Bob Katz
5. Major Label Mastering: Professional Mastering Process – by Evren Göknar

Audio Mastering Secrets: The Pros Don't Want You To Know! 

Audio Mastering Secrets: The Pros Don't Want You To Know! – by John Rogers, is a step-by-step approach to mastering audio to radio standards. John Rogers is an audio engineer and a best-selling author of several audio mastering books.

Why Do I Recommend This Book? 

In this book, John provides audio mastering secrets to produce industry-standard audio from the comfort of your home. Reading this book will help you level up your mastering skills without spending money on expensive gear. 

The information shared can be applied to various DAWs like FL Studio, Audacity, Cubase, ProTools, Garageband, Ableton, Logic and more. 

You will learn many secrets and professional techniques like multi-band compression, M/S mastering techniques etc. 

Who Is This Book For?

If you want to learn to master your own audio to commercial standards. This is the book for you.

The Mastering Engineer’s Handbook

The Mastering Engineer’s Handbook – by Bobby Owsinski, is an introductory handbook on the fundamentals of creating well-mastered audio. Read this book and learn from the bestselling audio author and audio engineer, Bobby Owsinski.

Why Do I Recommend This Book? 

In this book, Bobby provides an overview of how to master and the tools required to achieve the desired results. He shares great tips and practical knowledge for creating master mixes. Reading this will help you understand the mastering tools and how to use them to master correctly. This book also features interviews with well-known mastering engineers sharing their techniques and secrets that will help you improve your own mastering style.

Who Is This Book For?

This is an introductory handbook on mastering. If you’re a complete beginner who wants to know about the tools of mastering and tips of professional mastering engineers. Well, this is the book for you.

Mastering Multi-Band Compression

Mastering Multi-Band Compression: 17 Step by Step Multi-band Compression Techniques For Getting Flawless Mixes – by Nathan Nyquist, is a brilliant book that gives an insight into multi-band compression techniques.

Nathan Nyquist is a music producer, audio engineer, educator and the bestselling audio author of many books.

Why Do I Recommend This Book? 

Multi-band compression is a part of nearly all mastering signal chains. Reading this book will help you master multi-band compression like a pro.

In this book, Nathan provides a step-by-step formula that will help you understand the ins and outs of multi-band compression. He shares multi-band compression settings and reference points to get the sound you want.

Reading this book will help you discover the benefits of multi-band compression and will add more life to your songs. 

Who Is This Book For?

Anyone who wants to master multi-band compression to level up their mastering skills.

Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science

Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science — by Bob Katz is a comprehensive reference book for aspiring or professional mastering engineers. Bob Katz is an American audio mastering engineer and a bestselling author of audio mastering books. Bob has mastered three Grammy Award-winning albums and one nominated album.

Why Do I Recommend This Book? 

This book provides an in-depth explanation of what a mastering engineer does, how he/she does it and how you can do it. The author shares insight on the latest techniques and processes used in mastering. He shares 30+ years of audio mastering experience which you can learn from.  

The book covers discussions on loudness, jitter, dither, equipment, high sample rates, monitor calibration, headroom, metering, compression, FAQs, training and the business of mastering and much more. 

This is a completely technical book with great knowledge on all aspects of dealing with sound in digital form. Reading this will help you enhance your knowledge of mastering audio. Even if you already do mastering, this book will help you do it better.

Who Is This Book For?

Whether you are an audiophile, a professional mastering engineer or just anyone interested in learning the art and science behind the great sounding audio. I would highly recommend this reference book to you.

This book is aimed at intermediate to advanced audio engineers.

Major Label Mastering: Professional Mastering Process

Major Label Mastering: Professional Mastering Process – by Evren Göknar, is a bestselling book that reveals the mastering tricks and techniques used by Evren at Capitol Records.

Evren Goknar is a bestselling audio author and Grammy award-winning Mastering Engineer who specialises in optimising audio recordings.

Why Do I Recommend This Book? 

In this book, the author provides an in-depth step-by-step breakdown of the process of audio mastering to help you master this skill and build a workflow. He shares his practical understanding of 25+ years of mastering experience at one of the world’s well-known record labels. 

The book provides the fundamentals of mastering studio, tools, process, audio restoration, advanced methods, macro and micro consideration and more.

This book offers exercises at the end of every chapter to help you practically understand and adapt the skill. There are illustrations and digital resources to supplement your course study.

Who Is This Book For?

Suitable for all levels, recommended to anyone who loves audio, gear, sonic details, and is interested in discovering the mastering art.