AI Mastering vs Human Mastering: What Artists Need to Know Before Releasing Music

AI mastering has become a tempting shortcut for independent artists, offering fast results and technical consistency at the click of a button. But mastering isn’t just about sounding loud or polished. It’s about preserving emotion, contrast, and intention across a track or a release. This piece looks at what AI can do well, what it can’t hear, and where skilled ears still make the difference.