How can audio mastering professionals stay up-to-date with the latest trends?

1 Join online communities

One of the best ways to learn from other audio mastering professionals and exchange feedback, tips, and resources is to join online communities. There are many forums, groups, blogs, podcasts, and newsletters dedicated to audio mastering, where you can find valuable insights, discussions, and updates on the industry. Some examples are Mastering The Mix, The Mastering Show, LANDR Blog, and Gearslutz. You can also network with peers, mentors, and potential clients through these platforms.

2 Attend webinars and courses

Another way to keep up with the latest trends and technologies in audio mastering is to attend webinars and courses. These can help you improve your skills, learn new techniques, and discover new tools and software. You can find webinars and courses offered by various organizations, such as iZotope, Waves, Berklee Online, and SoundGym. You can also look for free or discounted options on platforms like Udemy, Skillshare, and Coursera.

4 Follow industry leaders and influencers

Another tip to stay up-to-date with the audio mastering trends and technologies is to follow industry leaders and influencers. These are people who have established themselves as experts, innovators, and trendsetters in the audio mastering field, and who share their knowledge, opinions, and experiences on various platforms. Some examples are Bob Katz, Mandy Parnell, Greg Calbi, and Ian Shepherd. You can follow them on social media, YouTube, blogs, podcasts, or newsletters.

5 Listen to different genres and formats

Finally, one of the most important ways to stay up-to-date with the audio mastering trends and technologies is to listen to different genres and formats of music. This can help you understand the current standards, preferences, and challenges of audio mastering for different audiences, platforms, and devices. You can listen to different genres and formats of music on streaming services like Spotify, Apple Music, Tidal, or YouTube Music. You can also analyze the audio quality, loudness, and balance of different tracks using tools like Loudness Penalty, Youlean Loudness Meter, or MeterPlugs.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?