Mastering Glossary
2MIX (two mix)
Music production in recent years is recorded on multiple tracks (for each instrument part). It means editing them so that they can be easily heard with a normal music player (mixdown), or a mixed-down sound source. The mastered version of this 2MIX sound source is used for CDs and distribution music data.
Blu-ray
It boasts more than five times the capacity of recent DVDs and can record high-quality video data in its entirety. Since the amount of data in a video format called HDTV is enormous, only Blu-ray discs can record movies that exceed 2 hours, which can only be recorded on conventional DVDs for tens of minutes. It has high audio specifications and can play up to uncompressed 192kHz / 24bit, which means that it supports high resolution sound quality. You can enjoy more delicate nuances as well as the video.
A seminar on the mastering plug-in "ozone" used by top-level mastering engineers. A useful seminar to master the sound making even if you do not own the software.
CD (CD)
"Planning of optical discs for recording digital signals. Diameter 12 cm or 8 cm. Jointly developed by Philips and Sony. Currently, it is also common for information recording for computers other than music. In Japan, it overtook the number of records produced in the mid-1980s. Since then, it has existed as the center of music media.
Compression（コンプレッション）
音源の振れ幅を狭め、音圧のバランスを整えることで、よりダイナミックな音源を作ることができます。コンプレッサーというエフェクト機材やプラグインによって行われる処理。機種により質感が異なるのでどのエフェクトを選択・組み合わせるかのマッチングが重要。
Cubase
A music production software product called DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). It is developed by Steinberg (a subsidiary of YAMAHA) in Germany. There is a sequencer part for playing hardware MIDI sound sources (synthesizers, etc.) and software sound sources, and an audio track part for recording drums, guitars, songs, etc., and you can edit them seamlessly. Popular software that has established itself as the main software from DTM Genesis and has many users even for professional musicians.
State-of-the-art audio repair tool RX seminar. Various sound quality correction techniques such as noise removal and reverb reduction are released.
DVD (Dive Dee)
"A standard that allows digital data to be recorded on a disc with a diameter of 12 cm, which is the same as a CD. Due to the high density of irregularities called bits provided on the optical disc, it is possible to record a large amount of data that far surpasses that of a CD. The commercial work was popularized from VHS to DVD, and it is still the main media. It has been used as an inexpensive media since Blu-ray became popular, and recently it has been widely used as an appendix content for magazines. The audio is also higher spec than the CD.
DAC (duck)
Digital to Analog Converter An electronic circuit that converts a digital signal into an analog signal. An indispensable item for enjoying PC audio (playing and enjoying music data managed by a PC) that can play high-resolution audio sources. Except for USB speakers that are directly connected to the computer, use it by sandwiching it between the computer and audio equipment. When playing back with full-scale audio, this performance greatly affects the sound quality.
DAW
Refers to all music production software called DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). Cubase, Logic, SONAR, Studio One, and Ableton Live are very popular in Japan. Typical functions are overdubbing, automatic performance programs, and editing software required for music production that mixes these materials.
EQ (equalizer)
EQ (Equalizer) An audio device for adjusting the frequency characteristics of an audio signal. Most of them are installed as standard equipment in audio equipment such as stereo and applications such as music and video editing. The frequency band of the audio signal can be raised or lowered for correction and aggressive processing. Learning the frequency characteristics of each instrument is the key to delicate mastering work.
frac
Abbreviation for Free Lossless Audio Codec. A free lossless compressed audio file format. Unlike MP3s, audio information can be compressed without being damaged. Even with the same sound quality, the file size can be made smaller than WAV, so it is used for high-resolution distribution. Data compression of around 60% is possible.
ITBミックス
ITBミックスとは、「In The Box Mix」という言葉の略で、コンピューターソフトウェア上で完結するミキシング方法を指します。
ITBミックスでは、DAW（Digital Audio Workstation）上で、トラックごとに音量やエフェクト、EQなどの調整を行い、最終的に完成したミックスを出力します。アナログミキシングコンソールやアウトボードギアを使用するアナログミキシングに比べ、ITBミックスはコンピューターソフトウェア上で作業を行うため、ミキシング作業の柔軟性が高く、コンピューターの処理能力によってはプラグインやエフェクトの種類や数も制限なく使用できることがメリットです。
また、ITBミックスでは、DAW上で編集したデータを保存することで、いつでも編集を再開することができるため、ミキシング作業において継続的な改善が行えます。
一方で、ITBミックスにおけるデメリットとして、コンピューターの性能によっては複数のトラックやエフェクトの処理が重くなり、作業が遅くなることがあります。また、アナログミキシングに比べ、音質についてアナログ特有の温かみや奥行きを感じにくい場合があるとされています。
LANDR
A cloud-based automatic mastering service from Canada. Mastering the final process of finishing a song requires a high level of skill to learn, and you can easily request it. The technology has been developed by a group of professionals, and algorithms that support various music have been adopted, making it easy to raise the sound pressure. Due to the feature of automatic mastering, it is not suitable for those who want to finish precisely.
Level Adjustment（レベル調整）
トラックの音量を調整することで、バランスの良い音源を作ることができます。近年はCDメディアより音楽サブスクリプションサービスや YouTube用に適したレベル調整が求められています。
Logic Pro
A music production software product called DAW (Digital Audio Workstation). A DAW derived from Notator, a music creation software from C-Lab in Germany. In 2002, it was acquired by Apple and the development of the Windows version was completed. Software for professional music production is overwhelmingly cheap. Highly compatible with the garage band that comes standard with the Macintosh. It seems that the entry model does not exist because the software exists.
Mastering （マスタリング）
音源の最終段階であり、ミキシングされたトラックを総合的に調整し、バランスや音質を整える作業のことです。とても繊細な調整になるので、現在ではアプリケーションやWebによる自動化サービスも充実している。ただし、メジャーレーベルのアーティストは実績のある専門エンジニアにオーダーをすることが大半です。
MP3 (MP3)
A file format that can compress voice data without extreme deterioration of voice quality. It has become widespread for the purpose of importing music from music media such as CDs to personal computers. Since compression is performed using human auditory truth, the playback quality after compression differs depending on the type of encoder. Since it can be compressed to about 1/10 of the original voice, it has become a standard format for enjoying popular music, making it possible to carry a large amount of sound sources. The sound quality is definitely deteriorated compared to the original before compression.
MT-8
MTR sold by Yamaha in the 90's. 8-track multi-recorder using analog cassette tape (chrome tape). An amateur musician was used to make a demo tape. Products of the same type were on sale at TASCAM and TEAC. From the mid-90s, the recording medium of MTRs for amateurs was switched to MDs and hard disks, and cassettes were no longer used for MTRs.
MTR (Multi Track Recorder)
Unlike recording equipment mainly used for music production and ordinary stereo recording / playback equipment, it is possible to record individually on multiple tracks. Four tracks in the 1950s, eight tracks from the latter half of the 1960s (around the middle and late Beatles), and 24 tracks from the 1970s have long been standardized. Professional hardware equipment using magnetic tape was the mainstream. In the 1980s, they were digitized and Sony's PCM-3348 (48 trucks) became the standard for commercial MTRs and was used until the early 2000s. After that, hard disk recording using computer technology will become the mainstream. The standard is to use software for personal computers called DAW. The price is easy to introduce even for amateurs, and the difference in sound quality between professional musicians and amateurs has narrowed at once.
Multiband Compression(マルチバンドコンプレッション）
周波数帯域ごとにコンプレッションをかけることで、より細かい音源の調整ができます。
Limiting(リミッティング）
トラックのピークレベルを制限することで、音源の歪みを防止し、よりクリアな音質を実現することができます。マスター音源の音圧感を決定する重要な処理。ただし扱い方を間違えると音楽のエッセンスを損ってしまったり、耳障りな仕上がりになってしまうので繊細な匙加減が重要。
PCM-3348
A digital MTR commonly known as Yonpachi. A global standard device in the music recording industry for a long time from the 80's to the late 90's. It uses tape media while recording digitally, and the price is 30 million. Only a limited number of ordinary people could own it. It was mainly used in combination with a mixer console called SSL. Needs have declined with the spread of Pro Tools, which has become the current recording standard. The developer SONY disappeared from many production sites when the maintenance service was discontinued in 2004.
OZONE
A multi-effects plug-in for mastering released by izotope, which is headquartered in Massachusetts, USA. It integrates mastering-specific plug-ins such as equalizer, dynamics, exciter, stereo imaging, and maximizer. It is also used by world-renowned mastering engineers such as Greg Calbi.
SEO (SEO)
Make sure that the websites and various contents (articles, music, videos) that you manage are displayed at the top of the search result pages such as Google and Yahoo. Abbreviation for Search Engine Optimization. Proper selection of targeted keywords and proper use of keywords within the page. Search engine algorithms are evolving steadily, and it can be said that plainly enriching content is a steady means at this point. Specific measures are needed to get many people to see it on YouTube.
VHS (VHS)
Home analog recording format developed by JVC. It was widely used before the spread of DVDs and PCs that could record until the first half of 2000. Many TV programs 20 to 30 years ago were recorded on these VCRs. Also, in movie rental, VHS tape was the standard for all movies before DVD. Many performance recordings at live houses where amateur bands can appear were also used.
VS-1680
A 16-track digital hard disk MTR released by Roland in the late 90's. The successor to the VS-880 hit. It was used in combination with a workstation-type synthesizer equipped with a sequencer. It boosted the recording quality of amateurs at once. At that time, there were some professional musicians who were performing live with this as a sound source.
YouTube
Needless to say, the world's largest video sharing service. When a user posts video data, it is published on the website and can be viewed on a PC or smartphone. In principle, it can be used free of charge along with posting and viewing. Only video data that the right holder has consented to publish can be posted on YouTube. Posting or publishing without permission violates the copyright laws of each country.
cassette tape
Magnetic recording tape for audio developed by Philips in 1962. The official name of the tape that has become popular in Japan for music applications is "compact cassette." The 60's and 70's generation was most used in the 1980's when rental record & CD shops expanded. Since it was an analog recording, it was easy to get a hiss noise called "shoe", and I was worried when I listened to quiet music such as piano sonatas. As a medium on which ordinary people can record audio, musicians and others recorded music on these and sold them, and those tapes were called demo tapes.
Noise
English for noise. Unnecessary sounds and information that interfere with the desired information. Refers to harmful information (color unevenness, black spots) that deteriorates images in digital cameras and videos. There are various factors in voice noise, and there are broad factors such as mechanical noise and sound that happens to be mixed during recording.
High resolution audio
Abbreviation for High resolution audio . Audio data with an amount of information that exceeds the CD specifications. By recording at a high resolution like high-definition in video, it is possible to reproduce the sound closer to what you are listening to live. In Japan, it provides many sound sources centered on distribution sites of audio-visual manufacturers such as OTOTOY and Mora. It has already been generally adopted in professional music recorders and DAWs, and in recent years, the number of devices that can record with high resolution even in amateur recorders is increasing. Unless you use high-spec speakers and headphones with high reproducibility, it is difficult for general users to understand the difference from CD sound quality.
ボカロP
ボカロPは、ボーカロイドと呼ばれる音声合成ソフトウェアを使って、オリジナルの楽曲を制作する音楽プロデューサーのことを指します。ボーカロイドは、ボーカルの音声データを基に、歌唱を合成するソフトウェアで、複数のキャラクターが存在します。代表的なボーカロイドキャラクターには、初音ミク、鏡音リン・レン、巡音ルカなどがあります。
ボカロPは、ボーカロイドを使用してオリジナルの楽曲制作ができます。ボーカルとしての歌唱以外にも、多彩な音声エフェクトや調整機能を持っており、ボカロPはこれらを駆使して、自分なりの音楽表現を創り出します。あえて人間では歌えないようなメロディを作ってこれまでにないオリジナリティの曲も出現しています。
ボカロPは、ボーカロイドがまだメジャーになる前から存在していましたが、その登場により、より多くの人々が音楽制作に挑戦するようになりました。現在では、多くのボカロPが活躍しており、ボーカロイド楽曲は日本をはじめとする世界中で広く聴かれています。
ミキシングエンジニア
ミキシングエンジニアは、音楽制作の中で最も重要な役割のひとつで、レコーディングしたトラックを総合的に調整して、最終的な音楽作品を制作するための作業を担当します。主に以下のような作業を行います。
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トラックの整理と配置：録音したトラックを適切に整理し、必要な場合はトラックの削除、ミュート、ボリューム調整などを行います。また、トラックの配置を考慮して、左右バランスやステレオイメージを調整します。
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イコライゼーション：各トラックの周波数特性を整え、不要な周波数をカットすることで、音楽全体の音のバランスを調整します。
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コンプレッション：各トラックの音量を一定に保つために、コンプレッサーを使用してダイナミックレンジを調整します。
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パンニング：左右のステレオフィールド内で、各トラックの位置を調整します。
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エフェクト処理：リバーブ、ディレイ、コーラス、フランジャーなどのエフェクトを使用して、トラックの音色や音場を調整します。
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レベル調整：各トラックの音量バランスを調整し、ミックス全体の音量を調整します。
ミキシングエンジニアは、録音時のトラックのクオリティを決定するために非常に重要な役割を果たしています。そのため、彼らは音楽プロデューサーやアーティストと協力し、彼らのビジョンを理解し、そのビジョンに合わせたミックスを制作するために必要な技術や知識を持っています。
live house
It refers to a relatively small concert hall where you can play mainly music, from rock and jazz to underground idols and DJs. It is a business format unique to Japan and its name is Japanese English. It is also commonly called a box box. This is the most popular place for amateur bands and copy bands to perform, as well as bands that perform in earnest.