That way, once we start mastering, our computer will only have to handle the plugins that we are using for mastering.īecause WAV files are of higher quality than MP3 files, make sure you export your mix into a stereo WAV format for mastering instead of MP3. In that case, we print all of the plugins that we used during mixing onto one file.

Suppose we master our track on a separate REAPER project with the mix consolidated into one stereo WAV file. Two – The other reason for mastering on a separate project file is to help spare your computer’s processing power.Ĭhances are, mixing your track will require you to use quite a few plugins that will use up your computer’s processing power. Having our mix finalized during the mastering process helps us focus on mastering instead of getting distracted. Once you have moved on to mastering, the time for mixing is over! One – The main reason we do our mastering in a separate REAPER project from our mixing is that we are not tempted to go back and mess around with the mix during the mastering process. There are two reasons that we do this instead of mastering our track within the REAPER project that we did our mixing on: This project file is made specifically for mastering. The first step for you to begin mastering your track in REAPER is to insert a stereo WAV file of your final mix into a new REAPER project file. Keep in mind, though you can follow this tutorial using other 3rd party plugins if you want to. In this step-by-step guide, I will show you how to master in REAPER! What You Will Need To Master In REAPERĪll of the tools that I will use to show you how to master your track are stock plugins that come standard with REAPER. If you do not master your track, it will sound much quieter than other songs.Īlthough mastering can be an extensive process that takes a professional mastering engineer a lifetime to perfect, you can still master your track as a beginner in REAPER using stock plugins.

Mastering is the essential final step of producing a song in which you make any final tweaks to your track and push it through a limiter to increase its overall volume. 11.3 What REAPER plugin should I use to master? Mastering In REAPER

Master your track