Audio mastering in the logic of art history discourse

Abstract

The purpose of the article is to determine the specifics of audio mastering in the context of modern art of sound recording; to characterize the phenomenon of audio mastering in the context of enhancing the aesthetic features of the sound recording of a musical work. Methodology. The interdisciplinary nature of the tasks posed in the study led to the use of an integrated method of modern art history. In particular, the following were applied: a comparative method (for a comparative analysis of scientific publications of foreign researchers in which the problems of audio mastering are considered from the perspective of modern cultural studies and art history); analytical (contributed to the analysis of analytical and empathic methods in the context of the specifics of audio mastering); typological method (to identify typological signs of audio mastering); a method of description and analysis (to study and comprehend the processes of creative activity of an audio mastering engineer as a representative of the field of technical arts); theoretical generalization method (for research findings). Scientific novelty. For the first time in the domestic art criticism, the phenomenon of audio mastering is studied in the context of the formation of the listener's emotional reaction to the sound recording of a musical work; the activity of audio mastering engineers was examined and its specificity was determined, in particular, the expediency of using analytical and empathic methods in the process of audio mastering in synergy was discovered in order to improve the aesthetic indicators of musical composition. Conclusions. A study of audio mastering from the standpoint of modern art criticism revealed that this phenomenon, synthesizing aspects of technology and art, consists in the skill of combining methods and methods for improving the sound recording of a musical work in order to enhance the effectiveness of its impact on the listener, satisfy aesthetic needs, and preserve and transmit the heritage of modern musical art in the global art and information space. The specificity of the art of audio mastering is to “mask” for the listener the very fact of the vocalist and/or musicians performing work in front of a microphone or using a dynamic range compressor – masterfully performed audio mastering largely goes unnoticed, forming the listener's emotional reaction and his perception of unique qualities over time musical performance.