You would be forgiven for thinking that the mixing of seperate audio tracks onto a CD is the final task needed for getting a CD ready for replication. The fact is that mastering the recording as a whole is acutally the last step to producing top quality sound. The mastering process is the last chance you'll get for any creative input. Once the master disc is created you'll be able to print, replicate and then market your creation.

There are several steps involved when creating a master CD. Your songs or audio tracks need to be in the correct order. The length of time between the songs is also adjusted, along with the editing of the songs. If you have secret or unlisted songs then these are added at this point as well.

CD mastering can be implemented in several different ways. It's not the cheapest option but many choose to use professional CD mastering engineers which is what many professional musicians decide to do.

Mastering engineers will usually have their own facilities and require much less equipment than a full blown sound studio. Their gear is specifically designed to getting the most accurate playback of your mix so any errors can be detected and fixed.

Using your own home computer with some mastering software is another option you could consider. For unsigned musicians or musicians who are just starting out this is probably the most affordable option. Some skill and knowledge will be required as will quality software in order to get a professional sounding mix.

These days you can also go online to try online CD mastering services. As well as taking your physical copy to a professional mix mastering engineer you now also have the option of sending the mix over the Internet. To do this, you'll need a high speed Internet connection.

Free mastering is of course the cheapest way to go when you need to master a CD, Artists and musicians may choose to use free mastering programs with demos or other earlier recordings that artists will use to send to major record labels to generate some interest in their music.

The difference in quality between recordings usually comes down to the mastering. All the music you hear broadcast over the radio has certainly been professionally mastered in order to give listeners the best quality sound.

While you can master using free programs on your computer, a professional CD mastering engineer is normally the best way to do business if your band is looking to make a profit from your music.