Mastering the Magic: Joe LaPorta and the Final Sound Behind “Revitalise”
by 14/10/2024When it comes to the creation of music that strikes deep, the artistry certainly doesn’t stop at mixdown. Mastering can really take a track from great to unforgettable. For Mac Summer’s latest single, Revitalise, brought the track full circle by mastering engineer Joe LaPorta from Sterling Sound.
Joe LaPorta: Who is he?
Joe LaPorta is a Grammy-winning mastering engineer and currently one of the hottest names in town. Based at Sterling Sound, one of the world’s premier mastering studios, LaPorta has worked with some of the most interesting artists across genres, from David Bowie and The Weeknd to Foo Fighters and Vampire Weekend.
With a reputation for teasing out the fine details in a mix and bringing everything to a new emotional level, LaPorta’s work quickly moves beyond the technical into an art form. His ear for detail and sonic expertise make him the mixing engineer that artists trust implicitly to bring their vision into the most impactful light possible.
Mastery Behind Revitalise
Revitalise” by Mac Summer is a track that merges atmospheric textures, driving beats, and rich melodic elements into a hallmarked sound of Liquid Drum & Bass. It is a tune that can switch between these immersive sonic sceneries and energizing rhythms; therefore, it is in search of the right mastering to balance them out in order to showcase this track on every playback system.
That’s where Joe LaPorta comes in. His job on Revitalise was, for lack of a better word, transformative: with subtle EQing, harmonic enhancement, and judicious dynamic range control, LaPorta pumped up the emotional core of the track without losing that vital energy.
One of the key aspects of Liquid Drum & Bass is its ability to evoke emotion while maintaining a driving momentum, and LaPorta’s expertise let Revitalise do exactly that. The high frequencies sparkle with clarity, while the low-end punch remains tight and impactful. Every element—from the shimmering pads to the crisp percussion—has space to breathe, creating an expansive and immersive experience for the listener.
Why Mastering Matters
Mastering completes the final stage of music production, and it is absolutely essential in tying a track together. For Revitalise, the mastering stage was critical in maintaining the delicate balance between its ethereal atmosphere and powerful beats. Joe LaPorta elevated the mix to its full potential, allowing the track to sound its best on all axes, whether high-balling sound systems or everyday headphones. While Mac Summer is progressing with every release, pushing the boundaries of Liquid Drum & Bass, working with industry experts such as Joe LaPorta helps him achieve great heights. Revitalise is the testimony that when great music is combined with world-class mastering, then magic is created, which listeners can never forget.
Final Thoughts
Joe La Porta’s work on Revitalise is one of those timely reminders that every stage of the music production process is important in bringing the music to life. It is never about writing a great track, but perfecting every detail so that when the listener hits play, they are transported right into the world of the music. And with LaPorta at the mastering helm, Revitalise does just that-revitalising the spirit and setting in motion the documents for a new era of sound in Mac Summer’s journey. Watch out for more sonic adventures as Mac Summer keeps pushing forward with each evolving note in the Liquid Drum & Bass scene, powered by some of the best in the business.
