The honest truth is that if you want a book telling you how to master and how to apply mastering to your work...THIS BOOK IS NOT FOR YOU. YOU'RE BETTER OFF GETTING THE BOOK BY KATZ!!! For beginners that don't have a clue where to start this book is for you. Throughout the book Bobby O explains the entire mastering from how it's done to the equipment used, how the equipment works and precautionary measures to take before mastering your work. I see why people got pissed off with this book because they wanted to know how to master their project...but instead bobby o. tells you the theory behind mastering for example, how various equipment work, mastering for different media as well as what to buy what the equipment does and the effects they have on the mix. I would recommend this book to anyone that is hesitant about mastering or doesn't have a clue about it. This book will inform you of the process from how it's done to the equipment used and so on...so that in the end you can make your decision on whether or not you want to master your own projects. Awesome book.

There is one thing I must say here in defense of this book. Most people who have not dedicated there mind to learning the real craft of mastering may find this book boring. There are no shortcuts. This book explains every single process involved in the so called "black art" of mastering, and in great detail (with the masters). What more could you want? The techniques are there and they are plainly obvious. If you are not familiar with mastering terms and technical jargon then yes, it may be over your head. If you don't understand fundamental pitches and harmonic frequencies, then you may not understand the section on EQ. I could go on but the point is this:
Familiarize yourself with terms before you purchase this book or you will remain lost.
It has helped me tremendously

Earle Holder
www.hdqtrz.com

This book is $35.00 I'll never get back. Better off blind folding yourself and working your toe's.

What a complete waste of text! Want to learn mastering? Don't actually expect to learn ANYTHING from this book. You'll learn though on how mastering engineers complain and whine about the state of the industry.... and that's about it! Reading these other reviews makes me wonder if these people even read this book at ALL! The first review says the book is great, and that it tells you nothing! Wow, just what I wanted to spend my money on, nothing at all. No, one book will NOT teach you everything you need to know about mastering, but this book teaches you NOTHING about mastering, except 'less is more' philosophy. Ok, there you go, you just learned everything you needed from this book from me. In short, dont' waste your time or money on this book. Would you want to read a book on car mechanics saying that 'hey, forget about being a mechanic, it's too tough!' and then continue on for several hundred pages? This is what this book is!