Learning how to be good at anything—let alone good at something creative—should be both challenging and joyful. Part of what makes audio fun is the challenge. If it was easy, do you think it would hold our interest as long as it does? Whether it’s playing an instrument or learning how to be a good mastering engineer, it takes time to get good and it’s important to set your expectations accordingly.

In this article, we’re going to explore the best methods to teach yourself audio mastering.

With traditional mentorship hard to come by these days, how do you learn to master audio? Follow along as iZotope Education Director and professional mastering engineer Jonathan Wyner explores the various ways we can learn how to master. From online tutorials to exercises you can try, discover the different opportunities you have to learn.

• 0:43 Learning mastering without a mentor

• 3:19 Why embracing many genres is important

• 4:30 How listening environment impacts learning

• 6:41 Master your EQ

• 10:06 Learning compression

• 11:26 Learning loudness and level

• 13:36 Are your mastering tools good enough?

• 15:57 Connect with a community