What is a primary responsibility of a mastering engineer?

A primary responsibility of a mastering engineer is to prepare audio from one raw format to a desired master format. This involves taking the final mix of a track and ensuring it is polished, balanced, and optimized for various playback systems and platforms. The mastering process includes adjusting levels, equalization, compression, and sometimes adding effects to enhance the overall sound. The goal is to create a final product that is consistent and professional, ready for distribution, whether it be for streaming services, CDs, or digital downloads.

In contrast, composing new tracks involves creativity and songwriting, which is not part of the mastering engineer's role. Recording musicians in the studio is a separate function typically handled by recording engineers or producers, who focus on the actual capture of the audio performances. Promoting albums to the public falls under the responsibilities of marketing teams and record label personnel, which is also outside the scope of what mastering engineers do.