Matt Colton: Why Density is Killing Your Masters

Matt Colton is a Grammy Award–winning mastering engineer whose career has spanned over two decades at the forefront of the music industry. Known for his meticulous ear and versatility across formats, he has mastered projects for some of the world’s most celebrated artists, including Peter Gabriel, Arctic Monkeys, Aphex Twin, James Blake, and Depeche Mode. Beginning his journey in the late 1990s at Porky’s Mastering in London, Colton went on to hold senior roles at AIR Studios and Alchemy Mastering before joining Metropolis Studios, where he now works across stereo, half-speed vinyl, pure analog vinyl, live-to-vinyl, and Dolby Atmos formats. In addition to winning the Music Producers Guild’s Mastering Engineer of the Year award in 2013, he earned a Grammy in 2025 for Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) for his work on Peter Gabriel’s i/o.

Colton’s approach to mastering blends technical precision with musical sensitivity, always aiming to enhance the emotional impact of a recording without overshadowing the artist’s intent. A strong advocate for well-designed monitoring environments, he credits his PMC monitors and deep understanding of room acoustics as central to his decision-making process. He is equally comfortable working with cutting-edge digital tools—favoring plugins like the Sonnox Oxford Limiter for its transparency—and traditional analog equipment, especially in his vinyl cutting work. Whether delivering a high-resolution Atmos master or a half-speed vinyl cut, Colton’s work is characterized by clarity, depth, and a deep respect for the music, making him one of the most trusted names in mastering today.

IN THIS EPISODE YOU’LL LEARN:

• His journey to becoming a mastering engineer
• How a little can go a long way in mastering
• What to look out for in production to ensure the highest quality masters
• Why density doesn’t equal loud
• The homogenization of music
• Mixing mistakes to avoid
• Finding mastering engineers who complement the needs of your mix
• Why you need a clear vision before recording, mixing, or mastering your music
• Learning the strengths/weaknesses of your gear
• Picking gear based on the project
• The simplest way to get wide masters
• Remastering George Michael’s “Faith”

To learn more about Matt Colton, visit: https://www.thisismetropolis.com/engineers/matt-colton/

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