Editing

With the replacement of "Tape" based recording by "DAW" based recording, it has become easier to assemble the "perfect take" from the various takes captured during the recording stage.

Once you have completed "perfect take" it is a good idea to listen to only the track element of the "perfect take" and ensure there no clicks/pops have been unintentionally introduced into the track. The most common source of clicks/pops added to the "perfect take" can usually be found at the edit points contained within the take. Typically they occur where the edit/cut is not on the "Zero Crossing" point of the waveform. Most editing to assemble the "perfect take" usually uses the "snap to beat" setting of the DAW. This is OK but can cause the cut to be performed at a less optimal position, from an audio signal point of view. By simply moving the offending cut point the click/pop can be eliminated. Clicks/pops can be eliminated during Mastering, but it is far better not to have them in the track, in the first place.

During this stage, there are additional things you can do to prepare your track for Mastering.

Tidy up the track elements:

There are some track elements that are only needed at specific points in the track. If those elements were recorded acoustically those element can be adding additional noise to the final track. You can use track automation to mute the element till its required. Another way is to cut out the parts of that element that are not needed. Be sure to include unobtrusive fade in and out, also reducing the potential of a click/pop on the cut.

As part of this process you should also tidy up the beginnings and ends of all track elements.

These steps aid the Mastering in that they reduce unwanted noise within the mixed track and do allow for a clean start and end of your track to be completed.

Set the Start and End track points:

Ensure the Start and End track points on your DAW are clear of ANY audio signal that IS part of your track. "Any Audio Signal" includes any instrument ring out AND any reverb tail. It is common practice, when Mastering, to request for some silence before the start of and after the end of, your track. This is the point where you organise this. The track you make with this setting is not the one that your audience will hear, so the additional silence is not a problem. It will be trimmed on the track that your audience does hear.

	Editing.
	With the replacement of "Tape" based recording by "DAW" based recording, it has become easier to assemble the "perfect take" from the various takes captured during the recording stage. Once you have completed "perfect take" it is a good idea to listen to only the track element of the "perfect take" and ensure there no clicks/pops have been unintentionally introduced into the track. The most common source of clicks/pops added to the "perfect take" can usually be found at the edit points contained within the take. Typically they occur where the edit/cut is not on the "Zero Crossing" point of the waveform. Most editing to assemble the "perfect take" usually uses the "snap to beat" setting of the DAW. This is OK but can cause the cut to be performed at a less optimal position, from an audio signal point of view. By simply moving the offending cut point the click/pop can be eliminated. Clicks/pops can be eliminated during Mastering, but it is far better not to have them in the track, in the first place. During this stage, there are additional things you can do to prepare your track for Mastering. Tidy up the track elements: There are some track elements that are only needed at specific points in the track. If those elements were recorded acoustically those element can be adding additional noise to the final track. You can use track automation to mute the element till its required. Another way is to cut out the parts of that element that are not needed. Be sure to include unobtrusive fade in and out, also reducing the potential of a click/pop on the cut. As part of this process you should also tidy up the beginnings and ends of all track elements. These steps aid the Mastering in that they reduce unwanted noise within the mixed track and do allow for a clean start and end of your track to be completed. Set the Start and End track points: Ensure the Start and End track points on your DAW are clear of ANY audio signal that IS part of your track. "Any Audio Signal" includes any instrument ring out AND any reverb tail. It is common practice, when Mastering, to request for some silence before the start of and after the end of, your track. This is the point where you organise this. The track you make with this setting is not the one that your audience will hear, so the additional silence is not a problem. It will be trimmed on the track that your audience does hear.