Studio Radicals: Episode 8

Studio Radicals features in-depth interviews with some of music’s most innovative minds.

The series spotlights composers, producers and engineers who are building distinctive sonic worlds and bringing a fresh approach to music production. Across eight episodes, we talk to them about their process, passions and inspiration. We also explore how music is made and what it takes to create a hit record.

In Episode 8, Kate explores the art of mastering with multi-award-winning engineer Cicely Balston. Mastering is a key part of the album-making process, where sonic elements are fine-tuned and tracks brought together to form a cohesive whole. It's the last phase of production before music is released, and it can have a significant impact on a recording’s overall sound and impact.

Cicely is one of London’s top mastering engineers: based at the iconic Abbey Road Studios, they’ve applied their expertise to various recordings across multiple genres, from alt-pop to punk and neoclassical. Recent projects include Witch Fever’s debut album Congregation, Anthony Willis’ atmospheric score for the film Saltburn and David Gray’s Dear Life, as well as music from Clark, Palace, Max Richter, Shakin’ Stevens & Self Esteem. They also worked on a major project to remaster David Bowie’s back catalogue whilst at AIR Studios.

Their approach to mastering extends well beyond the technical, and is rooted in a desire to create a sonic experience where listeners can truly understand an artist’s intention, and appreciate the various elements that make a song or performance. Achieving this requires a mix of creative intuition and technical know-how, as well as a great ear for detail.

In the final episode of Studio Radicals: Season 1, Cicely reflects on sculpting sound and identifying the subtle shifts and touches that can amplify an album’s emotional impact...