AI mastering has exploded in popularity, promising instant, low-cost results with a single upload. But while speed has its appeal, professional mastering isn’t just about making a song louder — it’s about emotion, texture, and depth. And much of that comes from something no algorithm can replicate: the analogue process. Now I want to say first, I am not against AI at all. I think it very much has it’s place, and is making so many things so much more accessible to everyone, and it deserves a lot of praise for that. But, we would be short sighted to not critic the compromises that accessibility and affordability may bring and it’s part of our own journey to choose where we draw the line at these compromises.
At Moreish Studios, we use mastering as a form of fine art — balancing digital precision with the warmth and saturation that only analogue gear can provide. So, is AI mastering good enough for your music, or is it missing what makes your mix come alive?
AI mastering services like LANDR or CloudBounce use algorithms trained on thousands of songs to apply EQ, compression, and limiting automatically. The idea is to deliver a “professional-sounding” master in minutes — and in many cases, it gets close.
But AI only analyses data. It doesn’t understand why a snare’s attack should feel sharp yet organic, or why a vocal should sit “just behind” a piano rather than on top of it. It can’t interpret the emotional intention of a mix — it simply processes averages.
And crucially, it doesn’t use analogue gear — the heart and soul of professional mastering.
Analogue mastering introduces an organic warmth, subtle harmonic richness, and smooth dynamic response that software simply can’t imitate. Even the most advanced emulations can’t reproduce the non-linearities, phase interactions, and natural saturation curves of high-end analogue hardware.
That elusive “polished” sound you hear on major records? It’s often the result of gentle harmonic rounding from analogue EQs, transformers, and valve circuitry — not digital precision.
AI mastering can process data perfectly. But the magic often lives in the imperfection — those microscopic tonal shifts, the soft tape-like compression, the musical noise floor that glues everything together.
At Moreish Studios, our engineers don’t just balance levels — we translate emotion. Working through high-end analogue chains gives us tactile control, allowing us to “feel” the sound rather than just measure it. Whether it’s adding a touch of transformer saturation, widening the stereo image through analogue summing, or shaping transient energy with real hardware compression — each move is guided by intention, not automation.
A professional mastering engineer’s role is not just technical; it’s interpretive. The human ear and mind make decisions that connect musical vision to sonic experience. AI simply doesn’t hear that way.
| Aspect | AI Mastering | Human + Analogue Mastering |
|---|---|---|
| Speed | Minutes | Hours–Days |
| Cost | Low | Higher, but bespoke |
| Consistency | Algorithmic | Artist-specific and intentional |
| Sonic Texture | Flat, clean | Rich, dimensional, analogue warmth |
| Creative Interpretation | None | Emotional, genre-aware |
| Equipment Used | Digital-only | Analogue + Digital Hybrid Chain |
AI mastering is technically efficient. But mastering through real-world signal paths — transformers, tubes, and EQ circuits — creates depth. You can’t code that; it’s physics and experience.
But for any official release, especially across streaming, vinyl, or film, the sonic differences are undeniable. An AI master may sound “done,” but a human analogue master sounds alive.
At Moreish Studios, we don’t just use analogue gear for nostalgia — we use it because it delivers something no digital process can: depth and character.
Every EQ curve, compressor setting, and transformer stage adds microscopic harmonics that enhance emotion and perception. These subtle tonal fingerprints help the listener connect with the track on a physical, almost subconscious level.
AI misses this entirely — it’s like comparing a high-resolution photo to a painting with real brush strokes. Both are clear, but only one feels human.
The future isn’t a battle between humans and AI — it’s a partnership. Many engineers now use AI for referencing loudness targets or metering consistency, but the mastering decisions that shape the emotional experience remain human.
At Moreish Studios, we blend precision digital tools with analogue chains to deliver reliable, emotionally charged masters. The result: modern workflow, timeless sound.
If you’re chasing a professional, emotionally engaging release — human mastering remains the clear choice. AI can be useful in the early stages, but it can’t replicate the human ear’s ability to respond to feel.
Mastering isn’t just finishing your track; it’s the final artistic statement. Don’t let it be automated.
AI mastering has its place, but true mastering still lives in the analogue domain — in the warmth, dimension, and personality that circuits and ears create together.
At Moreish Studios, we bring both worlds together — the speed and reliability of digital precision, and the unmistakable soul of human analogue mastering.
🎚️ Ready to master your next track the right way? Experience the difference of human analogue mastering at Moreish Studios, Melbourne’s trusted professional mastering studio.
