The same mix can feel balanced at one volume and completely different at another. Low-end relationships, vocal presence and overall dynamics can all appear to change simply because the playback level changes.

That's why every project at Black View Studio begins at a calibrated 76 dB SPL reference level.

The goal isn't to follow a specific industry rule. The goal is to create repeatable conditions that allow accurate decision-making day after day.

My mastering workflow is divided into two stages.

The first session lasts no longer than twenty minutes. During this stage I identify the most important issues without spending enough time to become emotionally attached to the material.

The second session happens later with fresh perspective. This is where I verify decisions and confirm translation before final delivery.

Many people associate mastering with hardware, plugins and technical specifications.

Those tools matter.

However, reliable perception is often more important than any individual piece of equipment. Mastering is ultimately a process of making thousands of small decisions. The more consistent the listening environment becomes, the more reliable those decisions become as well.

Damian Szkatulski
Founder & Mastering Engineer
Black View Studio