MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
Smith Hill Mastering
Smith Hill Mastering is an analog mastering studio based in Detroit, Michigan, founded by BJ Smith and Shoni Norman. Specializing in analog conversion mastering for digital and vinyl release, stereo mastering, stem mastering, and vinyl pre-mastering, the studio blends technical precision with a deep respect for musical intent.
BJ Smith brings over 35 years of professional music and audio experience, including more than eight years in mastering, with expertise in analog electronics and signal chain design, and roots in Detroit’s early electronic music movement. Shoni Norman brings 29 years of musical experience and a background as a self-taught singer, songwriter, and engineer, with a mastering approach grounded in clarity, depth, and translation.
Together, they provide a collaborative, objective mastering experience rooted in an analog workflow, with a singular focus: serving the song.
Mastering Your Sound with Smith Hill Mastering
Train directly with Detroit mastering engineers and learn hands-on how finished tracks are prepared for release in the final stage of music production.
Original Price
$499.00
Discounted Price
$399.00
Duration
6 Weeks
Course Description
Mastering Your Sound is for producers who want a clearer understanding of what happens in the final stage before release.
This course gives you an inside look at how mastering engineers listen and make final decisions that shape how a finished track is prepared before it leaves the studio. You learn what is evaluated at this stage, what should already be resolved in the mix, and how to recognize when a track is ready for release.
This is the final stage before your work is released, where a finished track is refined and made ready to be experienced outside the studio.
Dates and Times
Live sessions for this course will meet online via Zoom every Sunday 10:30am to 12:00pm ET from June 7th to July 12th, 2026.
On Demand
Registered students will have access to this course throughout its six-week duration and for an additional six weeks following completion.
Learning Outcomes
Understanding the Mastering Process
Developing Critical Listening
Professional Workflow and Delivery
Evaluating Release Readiness
Course Level
Intermediate / Professional
On Demand
Registered students will have access to this course throughout its six-week duration and for an additional six weeks following completion.
Experience Requirements
This course is best suited for students who are already producing music and have experience completing mixes.
Students should have a basic understanding of music production and mixing workflows. They should also be comfortable exporting stereo mixdowns from their DAW and be ready to engage critically with listening exercises and technical discussion.
This course will be taught in Logic, but this information can be applied to other DAWs.
Basic production experience is required. Additional mastering experience would be helpful.
Software Requirements
Equipment:
A digital audio workstation capable of exporting stereo audio files (Ableton Live, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Pro Tools, Reaper, or similar)
Studio headphones or monitor speakers suitable for critical listening (Audio-Technica ATH-M50x, Beyerdynamic DT 770, Yamaha HS Series, or similar)
Software/plugins needed:
Basic mastering-capable plugins (stock EQ, compression, limiting, and metering tools are sufficient)
Stable internet connection for live Zoom sessions