This tutorial walks you through a professional mastering workflow using Ozone, showing not just what to do — but why you're doing it.

Step 1 – Clean Problem Frequencies with Dynamic EQ

🎯 Goal:

Control harshness and muddiness without damaging the mix.

📌 What to Do:

1. Insert Dynamic EQ early in your chain.

2. Sweep to find harsh zones (often 2–5 kHz).

3. Create a narrow band.

4. Set it to dynamic mode.

5. Reduce gain by 1–3 dB only when triggered.

💡 Pro Tip:

Switch to Mid/Side mode:

• Cut muddiness in Mid (200–400 Hz).

• Tame harsh stereo elements in Side only.

This keeps your mix punchy but smooth.

Step 2 – Add Controlled Movement with Multiband Compression

🎯 Goal:

Glue the mix without killing dynamics.

📌 What to Do:

1. Open the Dynamics module.

2. Use 3–4 bands.

3. Apply low ratios (1.5:1–2:1).

4. Set:

   • Slow attack on lows (preserves punch)

   • Medium attack on mids

   • Faster attack on highs

💡 Pro Tip:

Use different release times per band to create natural groove and movement.

Aim for only 1–2 dB gain reduction per band.

Step 3 – Enhance Harmonics with Multiband Exciter

🎯 Goal:

Increase perceived loudness and clarity.

📌 What to Do:

1. Insert Exciter after compression.

2. Enable multiband mode.

3. Add saturation mainly to mids and highs.

4. Keep mix around 10–30%.

🎛 Mode Guide:

• Tape → Warm & smooth

• Tube → Rich & punchy

• Triode → Subtle color

• Retro → Aggressive edge

💡 Pro Tip:

Avoid saturating sub frequencies — it muddies low-end clarity.

Step 4 – Improve Width Using Mid/Side Imaging

🎯 Goal:

Make your track wider without losing mono compatibility.

📌 What to Do:

1. Open Imager module.

2. Split into bands.

3. Keep low frequencies mono (below 120 Hz).

4. Slightly widen high band (5 kHz+).

💡 Pro Tip:

Use the vectorscope — if the image becomes too horizontal, you've over-widened.

Subtle changes = professional results.

Step 5 – Final Loudness with Maximizer (Smart Limiting)

🎯 Goal:

Achieve loudness while keeping punch.

📌 What to Do:

1. Insert Maximizer at the end.

2. Enable True Peak limiting.

3. Try IRC Modern or IRC IV.

4. Adjust threshold until:

   • 1–3 dB gain reduction

   • No audible distortion

💡 Pro Tip:

Use Transient Emphasis to restore punch lost during limiting.

Instead of pushing limiter hard:

• Build loudness earlier in chain.

• Let limiter finalize, not create, loudness.

Suggested Mastering Chain Order

1. EQ / Dynamic EQ

2. Multiband Compression

3. Exciter

4. Imager

5. Maximizer

Always A/B with Level Match ON.

🎯 Final Advice

Professional mastering is about:

• Small adjustments

• Dynamic preservation

• Stereo balance

• Controlled loudness

Subtle moves at every stage beat extreme moves at one stage.