Why automatic mastering can't replace a real engineer
LANDR, eMastered, CloudBounce... AI mastering services are tempting. Here's why a human still does it better.
Automatic mastering services like LANDR or eMastered are easy to use and cheap. But is the result really comparable to a human master?
What automatic mastering does
An algorithm analyzes your mix and applies generic processing: corrective EQ, compression, limiting to hit a target loudness. It's fast (a few seconds) and it costs between €5 and €15.
What it doesn't do
- —Understand your artistic direction
- —Adapt the processing to the genre
- —Fix specific problems (resonance, phase, sibilance)
- —Make creative choices (saturation, stereo width, automation)
- —Offer revisions based on your feedback
The real difference
A mastering engineer listens to your track, understands what you want, and makes decisions that fit it. If the vocal lacks presence, they go and find it. If the low end is muddy, they clean it up surgically. An algorithm applies an average curve — a human sculpts your sound.
Tip
Automatic mastering can do the job for a demo or a rough mix. But for an official release, invest in a real master. From €11/track on MASTERLAB, it's barely more expensive than a LANDR.
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