Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The art and the science (Book)

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1. Anonymous says:

   October 9, 2010 at 12:42 pm

   Review by for Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The art and the science (Book)
   Rating:
   Finally a book that answers all those weird little technical questions about digital audio that you’ve always wondered about. Obstensibly it is a book about the art of mastering audio. Bob shows you what tools the pros use and how they use them. It also doubles as a guide to mix enginners on how to prepare a mix for mastering. It does a superb job in that regard as well. What I find most impressive is his knowledge of the technical aspects of digital audio and his ability to explain them, and debunk any myths, in plain english. The only fault I can find in it is that the second half looses focus and is more a collection of articles, previously available on the web, than any coherent instruction. Otherwise this book has valuable information for anyone working with digital audio. I highly recommend it.

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2. Den Hollinden says:

   October 9, 2010 at 1:19 pm

   Review by Den Hollinden for Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The art and the science (Book)
   Rating:
   Up until now, I’ve read books by authors who fall into one of the following categories: 1) musicians 2) traditional, primarily analog audio engineers 3) acoustic scientists or 4) audio computer applications specialists. Getting meaningful information from one of these authors requires my own extrapolation into the remaining areas–or at least taking the authors comments in those areas with a grain of salt. FINALLY I have in my hands a book written by someone who can put it all together into a meaningful whole. The book is a wonderful blend of descriptions of how things work that will take you to the next level along with some very valuable common sense advice-like how to effectively sequence songs into an album. I’ll keep this book in my studio and refer back to it again and again. Probably the best (but also the most honest) thing I can say about the book is that I know I will sound better because of having read it.

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3. Nicolas Raddatz says:

   October 9, 2010 at 2:07 pm

   Review by Nicolas Raddatz for Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The art and the science (Book)
   Rating:
   I bought this book after reading many good reviews. After reading it, I would say that it is indeed a very interesting book, there are a lot of “obscure areas” that the author dares to tackle, with a remarkable “scientific” approach.BUT, before you buy this book…It’s not a “funny” reading, you should get this book if you are already familiar with all the technical subjects covered, the author seems to assume a certain previous knowledge, otherwise you won’t go past chapter 1. AND, for all of you cookbook lovers, forget it, you are not bound to find those here.That being said, I have it, and I like it. I’ll probably re read it sometime in the future.

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4. Richard H. Breen Jr. says:

   October 9, 2010 at 3:00 pm

   Review by Richard H. Breen Jr. for Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The art and the science (Book)
   Rating:
   I’ve acquired many books about audio over the years, but this book is definitely in my top five list. I would recommend this book to any hobbyist or professional, without hesitation.The author addresses his subject with enthusiasm, clarity, and balance. What strikes me the most about this book is its emphasis on quality. Everything, from the book’s design, to the writing itself, to the principles engendered, is high quality.Too many books are thrown together (it seems to me) using a combination of notes, spec sheets, opinions, and other miscellany, without proper regard for overall cohesiveness, comprehensiveness, and quality. The results are far too often mediocre.This book, “Mastering Audio” by Bob Katz is an example of a high quality effort, attention to detail, and a passion for the subject matter. This author did not settle for writing a mediocre book. After I bought it and read, I felt I got more than my money’s worth!The book achieves a nice balance between theory and practice, though it is mostly about practice. The color plates, diagrams, pictures, etc, are very enjoyable and instructive. Again, quality seems to be at the heart of this work.(I can’t see this guy doing anything in a mediocre way, whether it is recording, mastering, or writing. I’d love to tour his recording studio and watch him at work work).The other thing I like is the writing style, the sense of humor, and the straightforward manner the author has. He cuts through a lot of cruft and says things lucidly without pretention.The book is peppered with interesting tidbits, facts, observations, and principles, called out in side-boxes, etc.The author stresses the need for education (in this area and related areas). This is a welcome message, and something I agree with strongly, whether you’re mainly a listener, a performer, or an engineer.I have many books on my shelf, but there are a few that I consider “a cut above”. This book is one of those books.Highly recommended.

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5. Chris Hambly says:

   October 9, 2010 at 3:06 pm

   Review by Chris Hambly for Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The art and the science (Book)
   Rating:
   Very rarely do I find a book which stimulates my interest throughout its every page, and even more to the point, very rarely do I find a “technical” book which yields the same result. Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science, delivers.

   Bob Katz has come to be known as “The Guru” regarding mastering audio. Bob has steadily carved a niche for himself in both his dual profession of mastering and writing. This book was inevitable in many ways as “keeping a lid” on one’s knowledge of this calibre is almost impossible. Bob Katz comes across as a genuinely “open” guy, and naturally his generosity and openness is evident in his writing style.

   So often technical writers simply miss half their audience, or rather leave them cold and baffle them with unnecessary technicalities or bore them with verbose banalities. Even worse, writers in the audio industry can often leave little room for the reader to reflect and establish their own opinions on the text. Bob Katz is one of the few writers who are able to take a complex subject, riddled with difficult concepts and present those concepts for the layman to absorb, in a non-arrogant and cheerful manner.

   Mastering Audio: The Art and the Science is a paperback book of 319 pages that teaches the reader all there is to know and explore regarding mastering audio.

   Mastering audio is often considered a “black-art”, and a visit to any number of online audio forums will indicate that it can also be considered a highly subjective Science/Art. Bob Katz reinforces that in his text and assumes the reader has a genuine interest in the subject and will therefore experiment and train herself to hear the ideas Bob has spent a lifetime nurturing. Bob has composed catch phrases that should become mantras for “newbies” such as: “Make passive ear training a lifelong activity” and “A monitor which makes everything sound beautiful must not be accurate”. Phrases such as these are “gems” for any newcomer and can open a whole new approach to the subject.

   The text is presented in a friendly and playful manner with two columns per page interlaced with a fair amount of diagrams that really do paint a thousand words. Never will the reader find the book hard going or too tough, providing they are reading to learn. The book is not written to be a “10 quick tips for mastering your audio”; Bob Katz is way beyond that. What you will find is a textbook that will teach you and guide you through a complex area. This book is sure to become the “Industry Bible” on mastering audio. Highly recommended.

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