Mastering in FL Studio gives you complete control over the musical landscape. 

With simple stock plugins, we can achieve a professional-sounding, ready-to-release master that’ll resonate with your listeners.

Whether you’re struggling with EQ techniques or trying to capture that same width you hear in your favorite top 40 hits, we’ll take you through the crucial steps – from pre-mastering all the way to exporting that final polished track in the ultimate guide to mastering in FL Studio.

Table Of Contents:

Understanding Mastering in FL Studio

Mastering is like the icing on the cake for music producers. It’s that final touch, giving your track consistency and overall quality. Think of it as your music’s last line of defense before hitting online stores.

The heart of mastering is ensuring your song sounds great across all devices – from booming car speakers to tiny earbuds. In simpler terms, whether playing it through an expensive sound system or streaming it off a smartphone, the experience should be top-notch.

FL Studio, though not often thought of as a popular mastering DAW, offers a comprehensive suite dedicated to mastering tracks, taking them from good to outstanding.

Pre-Mastering Essentials in FL Studio

If you’re a producer getting ready to master your tracks, there’s a collection of pre-mastering basics that’ll prepare them for the process. It’s the same way chefs prep their ingredients before they start cooking.

The first step involves setting proper levels, ensuring that none of your mixer track channels are peaking above 0dB; we don’t want any distortion messing with our perfect mix.

Tidying Up Your Mixer Track

Next, remove unused plugins and effects from the channel rack. A clutter-free workspace lets you focus on what matters – producing killer tunes.

Meticulous Audio Check

An eagle-eyed detective never misses clues – be like them when checking your audio clips. Listen carefully for glitches or unwanted noise within each clip and fix ’em right away.

FL Studio Mastering Tools and Plugins

When it comes to mastering, FL Studio offers a buffet of powerful tools and plugins that can make your music sound like it was mastered by an industry pro.

Exploring the Variety of Plugins in FL Studio

The FL studio’s native plugins are game-changers, giving you control over everything from EQ to limiting and stereo imaging — all essential elements for producing high-quality masters.

From Parametric EQ 2, which provides visual feedback and flexible band nodes, to Maximus, FL Studio’s multi-band compressor/limiter gives you ultimate control over dynamics, you have everything you need to make your mix shine without the need for third-party plugins.

EQ and Compression Techniques in FL Studio

All music producers know that EQ (Equalization) and compression are like the peanut butter and jelly of your mix, making sure each track shines without stepping on the toes of others. In mastering, we use EQ and compression to enhance our full mix. 

Let’s talk about EQ first. 

It’s all about balancing frequencies from bass to treble so that your beats don’t sound too boomy or tinny. In FL Studio, there’s a nifty tool called Parametric EQ 2, which lets you visually see what’s happening with the frequencies while adjusting them. 

I’ll often start by using a high pass to get rid of imperceivable frequencies if my mix is feeling too bottom-heavy. Up to 20Hz with a gentle high-pass should do the trick. 

Then, I’ll for any excess frequencies in the low mids and highs that I can dip out subtly if need be. I often try for dips with wide Q values that are less than 1 dB.

If I need to add anything to the frequency spectrum, I might do this with a second EQ, keeping subtlety in mind.

Fine-tuning with Compression

Compression is up next. Think of it as an automatic volume knob keeping everything at just the right level, making sure no instrument steals the show unintentionally.

Though FL Studio offers stand-alone compression, I prefer compressing with the Fruity Limiter. Go for a lower ratio, such as a 2:1, and adjust your attack, release, and knee settings based on the track. 

The more dynamic control you provide with your compressor, the less your limiter will have to work at the end of your chain. 

Stereo Imaging and Spatial Enhancement in FL Studio

Mastering the art of stereo imaging when mastering is key.

Done improperly, it can destroy your mix. Employed correctly, however, and you spread your mix across the speakers so that it almost feels like it wraps around the listener. 

To do this, I’ll use the stereo expansion feature on the Fruity Stereo Enhancer to give my master a subtle push to the outside in each direction. Again, subtlety here is key, as you don’t want to attract phase problems.

Diving Deeper Into Spatial Enhancement

Spatial enhancement takes things up another notch by adding depth to our ‘room’. It creates the illusion that all of your elements are in the same space. 

One of my favorite ways to make this work is with Fruity Reeverb 2. The algorithmic reverb spits out “room-style” reverbs like a charm.

Just remember: less often means more when dealing with reverbs – too much can make your mix muddy instead of immersive. I usually dial it in at 10% MAX.

Tips for Better Stereo Imaging

A golden rule in mastering: always check your mixes in mono. If something doesn’t sound right when collapsed down from stereo, adjustments might need to be made – remember that some listeners will hear our tracks on mono devices.

Sage Audio has a great video that dives deep into these concepts with visual aids along the way.

Key Takeaway: 

Mastering stereo imaging and spatial enhancement in FL Studio is akin to painting with sound, crafting immersive audio landscapes. Using tools like the Stereo Enhancer plugin and Fruity Reeverb 2, you can control instrument width and add depth for a spacious feel. Remember to check mixes in mono to ensure there’s no phase cancellation.

Limiting and Loudness Maximization in FL Studio

Loudness in mastering isn’t about cranking up the volume; it’s more akin to managing dynamics. 

This is where limiters come into play. 

A limiter acts as a bodyguard for your track; it doesn’t let any rogue peaks past its watchful eyes (or ears). In other words, limiters prevent distortion by ensuring that the loudest parts of your song don’t exceed a certain level.

In FL Studio you have plugins like ‘Fruity Limiter’ which work wonders. They help control peak levels without squashing dynamic range.

I’ll set my output on Fruity Limiter to -0.1dB to stop it from going beyond zero, then slowly increase the gain until I have the perceived loudness I want. the goal here is to achieve the same loudness as commercially released tracks without squashing the life out of my mix.

Finalizing and Exporting a Master in FL Studio

Once you’ve finished the mastering process, it’s time to take the final step – exporting your master track. But, let’s not rush into it like an excited DJ at his first gig.

You’ve worked hard on this piece of art; it deserves careful handling even now. To begin, double-check everything before you start the export process. Make sure that there are no glitches or unwanted audio envelopes interfering with your mix.

The Final Review Before Bouncing Down

Begin by taking one last look at each mixer track and listen for any inconsistencies in sound levels or panning positions. Is every instrument sitting just right within the stereo width?

Also, remember to remove any plugins from the master channel unless they were used specifically for mastering purposes. Keep in mind that we’re aiming for clean output here.

Bouncing Down: The Actual Export Process

To start exporting, go to File > Export > WAV file… A window should show up where you can decide on quality preferences and pick a spot to save the file on your machine.

This is where FLAC files become our best friend. They provide high-quality audio while keeping sizes manageable – perfect for sharing online or sending off to online stores.

In terms of bit depth selection (16bit vs 24bit), most prefer going with 24-bit as it offers more dynamic range but hey. If space is tight, 16-bit works fine too.

A Quick Note On Dithering

Dithering helps reduce distortion when converting from higher to lower bit depths. So, it’s a good idea to enable dithering when exporting your master track.

Finally, remember: FL Studio is just the tool; you’re the real music magician here. Keep experimenting and honing those music production skills.

Key Takeaway: 

Before exporting your mastered track in FL Studio, take a final look at each mixer track for any inconsistencies. Remove unnecessary plugins from the master channel to ensure clean output. Opt for FLAC files when saving, as they balance high-quality audio with manageable sizes. Enable dithering during export to reduce distortion, and remember – you’re the music magician, not just FL Studio.

Advanced Mastering Techniques in FL Studio

If you’re ready to level up your mastering game, let’s dive into the deep end of advanced techniques with FL Studio. 

You might have heard of FL Studio’s range of plugins for mastering – but are you using them to their full potential? With a bit more knowledge under your belt, you can start taking advantage of these tools like never before.

The Magic of Multiband Compression

Multiband compression is the secret ingredient in great mastering and music production. It separates the frequency spectrum into different ‘bands’, allowing individual control over each one. This technique gives greater precision when adjusting dynamics within specific frequency ranges.

In FL Studio, Maximus is the hero. You can control attack (how fast compressor starts), release (how quickly it stops after doing its job), ratio (intensity of compression), and threshold (level where compressor kicks in), all in different bands, giving you complete control over the entire frequency spectrum.

For instance, you might choose to add heavier compression to your lows from 20-200Hz to solidify your bass and kick while keeping your compression more open in the higher bands for more clarity and detail.

Harmonic Excitement

Last on our list today is harmonic excitement – don’t worry; it’s less dangerous than it sounds. This process adds subtle distortion or saturation at particular frequencies, which can help bring out elements buried deep within your mix and give them new life.

I love Fruity Blood Overdrive for master bus saturation, especially with a very low preamp level, as I feel like it adds just the right amount of coloration and compression a track needs to give it life. 

Plus, if it’s providing too much coloration, you can always dial it back with the mix knob.

FAQs in Relation to Mastering in Fl Studio

How do I master like a pro in FL Studio?

To master like a pro, get to know all the tools and plugins of FL Studio. Learn EQ, compression techniques, stereo imaging, and loudness maximization.

Can I master with FL Studio?

Absolutely. FL Studio is packed with features for mastering – from various plugins to advanced techniques that help you make your tracks shine.

Is FL Studio good for mixing and mastering?

Yes indeed. With its variety of powerful tools and intuitive interface, both beginners and pros find it great for mixing and mastering their music.

Can you mix professionally on FL Studio?

Certainly. Whether composing melodies or finalizing masters, professionals use FL studio’s versatile toolset to produce high-quality mixes regularly.

Conclusion

Mastering in FL Studio can feel complicated, but once you have a grasp on all the tools and techniques necessary to craft a master at a professional level, you can start cranking out tracks that stand up to those you hear on the radio. 

Remember, this music producer’s ultimate guide to mastering is just the start, and if you’re serious about leveling up your production and mastering skills, the Mix Elite Academy has got your back.

We offer over 320+ in-depth lessons packed with best practices from professional music producers, practical resources like top-tier sample packs, and student discounts of up to 50% off on thousands of plugins. As a member, you’ll even gain access to our private community of students and professionals alike – an invaluable network for getting feedback, finding inspiration, or just discussing that latest parametric EQ setting that’s got everyone buzzing.