Contemporary Extreme Mastering Style
Complete Processing Chain Analysis
The Contemporary Extreme mastering style is specifically designed for maximum competitive loudness and impact on small playback systems. This preset employs aggressive processing techniques while maintaining clarity and definition, making it perfect for EDM, trap, and modern electronic genres that demand cutting-edge loudness to dominate smartphones, earbuds, and portable speakers.
Processing Chain Breakdown
The chain begins with normalization to 0 VU (-18 dBFS), providing maximum digital headroom for the aggressive processing stages that follow. This conservative initial level is crucial for the extreme processing chain, as it allows each subsequent stage to operate optimally without introducing unwanted distortion or artifacts. The 0 VU target ensures that the heavy dynamics processing and limiting can achieve maximum loudness while maintaining the precision required for small speaker translation.
HoRNet TheNormalizer
Automatic gain staging and volume levelling
A precise bell filter applies -3 dB reduction at 700Hz, addressing the midrange frequency range that can become problematic when pursuing extreme loudness levels. This surgical cut prevents midrange congestion and boxiness that can occur when aggressive compression and limiting are applied to dense electronic productions. The 700Hz reduction creates crucial space in the frequency spectrum, allowing the subsequent processing stages to achieve maximum loudness without compromising clarity in the critical vocal and lead synth frequency range.
HoRNet TotalEQ MK2
A visual equalizer plugin with up to 36 bands, real-time spectrum, and per-band analog saturation.
The HarmonicFinder algorithm performs sophisticated spectral analysis to identify and enhance the harmonic content that will help the track cut through on small speakers. This technology analyzes the existing harmonic structure and selectively enhances components that contribute to perceived loudness and clarity on limited-range playback systems. The harmonic enhancement is particularly crucial for extreme mastering as it helps maintain musical content and perceived quality even under aggressive compression and limiting.
HoRNet HarmoniQ
The automatic equalizer designed to effortlessly clean up your sound.
The Auto EQ 31-band system applies intelligent spectral correction with 50% strength, addressing frequency imbalances that become critical when pursuing maximum loudness. The algorithm analyzes the entire spectrum and applies corrections that optimize the frequency balance for extreme processing. This stage is essential for preventing frequency buildup that could limit the effectiveness of the dynamics processing stages, ensuring that energy is distributed optimally across the spectrum for maximum perceived loudness.
HoRNet ThirtyOne MK2
Spectrum analyzer and graphic EQ with auto tuning for a perfect sounding mix
The BalanceEQ stage operates with ±6 dB maximum range, working in conjunction with the Auto EQ to create optimal frequency distribution for extreme loudness processing. This dual EQ approach ensures that no frequency ranges are over-represented, which could cause the dynamics processors to work inefficiently. The Balance EQ focuses on larger spectral regions while maintaining the detailed corrections from the Auto EQ stage, creating an optimal foundation for aggressive dynamics processing.
HoRNet BalancEQ
The Ultimate Automatic Equalizer for Effortless Balance
The dynamics processing targets a tight 6 dB dynamic range, employing the AutoTimeConstant, DynamicsAnalyzer, and H4KBC algorithms in their most aggressive configuration. This reduced dynamic range is essential for achieving extreme loudness levels while maintaining punch and impact. The processing adapts to the dense, layered content typical of electronic music, providing consistent levels that work effectively with the final limiting stage while preserving transient impact and rhythmic drive.
HoRNet H4K Bus Compressor
The classic compression for your stereo bus
The stereo widening stage applies enhancement optimized for small speaker systems, where stereo width perception is limited. The processing includes targeted 2kHz EQ that ensures the stereo enhancement translates effectively on earbuds and phone speakers. This stage maintains mono compatibility while creating perceived width that helps the track stand out even on devices with limited stereo separation capabilities.
HoRNet TotalEQ MK2
A visual equalizer plugin with up to 36 bands, real-time spectrum, and per-band analog saturation.
The final stage combines ThrustProcessor technology with precision limiting to achieve an aggressive -8 LUFS target loudness. The ThrustProcessor analyzes the heavily processed signal and applies intelligent gain staging that pushes the audio to maximum competitive levels while preventing obvious distortion. This two-stage approach achieves the extreme loudness levels demanded by EDM and trap genres while maintaining enough clarity and definition to ensure the track remains engaging rather than fatiguing.
HoRNet Thrust
Boost your mix with clarity and impact
The Contemporary Extreme preset employs several sophisticated techniques to achieve maximum loudness while maintaining quality. The dual EQ stages work together to create optimal frequency distribution before dynamics processing, preventing frequency masking that could reduce perceived loudness. The tight dynamics control ensures consistent energy that maximizes the effectiveness of the final limiting stage, while the harmonic enhancement maintains musical content even under extreme processing.
The stereo enhancement is specifically calibrated for small speakers, ensuring that the width and dimension created in the mastering process translates effectively to the target playback systems. The aggressive limiting employs psychoacoustic principles to maintain perceived quality while achieving competitive loudness levels that ensure the track cuts through in loud environments and small speaker systems.
The Contemporary Extreme preset delivers maximum competitive loudness with maintained clarity and definition, aggressive dynamics control that preserves rhythmic impact and drive, optimized frequency balance for small speaker translation, and enhanced harmonic content that maintains musicality under extreme processing. The sound is specifically designed to dominate in loud environments and on limited playback systems while maintaining enough musical quality to remain engaging.
This preset excels with EDM and electronic dance music where maximum impact is essential, trap and hip-hop productions requiring aggressive loudness, modern electronic genres designed for club and festival systems, and any music intended primarily for streaming and mobile consumption. The processing chain creates masters that cut through noise and compete effectively in loud environments while maintaining the clarity and definition necessary for musical engagement.
The Contemporary Extreme approach prioritizes competitive loudness and impact, making it ideal for genres where maximum presence and cutting power are more important than subtle musical nuances. The result is masters that demand attention and maintain their impact across all playback systems, from high-end monitors to smartphone speakers.