Cold – Mastering for Loudness and Wide Macro-dynamics
Published
6-5-2026
Type of Work
Creative Work - Music
Advisors and Contributors
Zachary Camm (Producer/Engineer) James Bonnyman (Vocal) Luke Joycey (Bass) Oliver Martin (Guitar) Joshua Fagan (Drums) Atticus Paxton (Saxophone) Spencer Paravizzini (Saxophone) Tom Marinelli (Trumpet)
Abstract
Cold is an indie rock recording by Second Hand High, produced and engineered by Zac Camm (SAE Alumni), with mastering undertaken by Tom Glover. The track forms part of a broader release designed with intentional continuity between songs, requiring a mastering approach that supports seamless transition into the following track, presented as a near-continuous listening experience.
A key challenge in the mastering process was working from an excerpt rather than the full track sequence, while still maintaining accurate judgement of tonal balance, loudness, and transition behaviour. This required careful extrapolation of how the ending dynamics would interact with the adjacent material, particularly in relation to perceived spacing, energy flow, and spectral consistency across the intended transition.
The track features pronounced macro-dynamic variation, with significant shifts between sparse and dense sections. Preserving these contrasts while achieving competitive loudness for streaming and broadcast contexts required a restrained approach to traditional compression and limiting. Instead, gain staging strategies were prioritised, including targeted clip-gain adjustments and controlled clipping to shape transient behaviour and perceived loudness in a more transparent manner.
Central to the mastering approach was maintaining the musical intent of wide dynamic contrast while ensuring translation across consumer playback systems, including streaming platforms and compact listening environments such as earbuds. The work reflects contemporary mastering practice for indie rock within digital distribution contexts and balancing artistic dynamics with genre-driven loudness expectations.
Citation
Glover, T (2026). Cold - Mastering for Loudness and Wide Macro-dynamics. [Staff Scholarship, SAE University College]. Creo.