master recordings
Studio's definitive versions
Master recordings are the original studio recordings from which all copies are produced—the definitive source for an album, single, or other audio release.
In the music industry, ownership of masters determines who controls and profits from a song's distribution: Taylor Swift re-recorded her albums to own her masters.
The master captures the final approved mix, serving as the template for vinyl pressings, CDs, and digital files.
- tapesAdhesive strips or recordings
- reel to reelTape system using spools
- studioCreative professional's workspace
- studio sessionScheduled time to record
- analogComparable equivalent
multitrack · reels · vault · stems · session · mixing · original · archive · lost tapes · label · rights · publishing rights · royalties · producer · tracks · vinyl · original pressing · pressing
- Hi-Fiamplifier, speakers, turntable, headphones, stereo
- tribute albumscover songs, covers, honoree, guest artists, tracklist
master recordingsreproductions
Copies of originals
duplicates · dubs · bootlegs · transfers · copies
master, recording, masters, mastered, mastering, masterly, masterful, masterfully, mastery