FASTER MASTER is a mastering plugin designed to compress the technical and creative decisions of professional mastering into an accessible workflow. Co-developed with David Guetta and Nicky Romero, it combines algorithmic analysis with manual control, allowing engineers to establish a finished master in minutes rather than hours.
The plugin's core strength lies in its Smart Presets system, which generates ten genre-aware starting points after analyzing your track's loudest section. This analytical foundation eliminates the blank-canvas paralysis that often slows mastering work. From there, users access discrete controls for EQ, transient management, compression, stereo width, and limiting - the essential mastering tools.
What distinguishes FASTER MASTER is its level-matching architecture. Every adjustment automatically compensates for volume changes, preventing the common mixing trap where louder sounds inherently feel "better." This design choice forces honest decision-making and reduces the need for A/B comparisons at matched levels, a tedious but critical step in traditional mastering.
The EQ employs low-phase-distortion filters to preserve transient definition, while the transient module handles punch adjustment through an intuitive interface that abstracts underlying multiband processing. Reference track matching adds utility for engineers working toward specific sonic targets.
FASTER MASTER occupies a practical middle ground between fully automated mastering services and unguided plugin chains. It's most valuable for producers finalizing independent releases, mix engineers needing quick professional polish, and mixing studios seeking faster turnaround times. While it doesn't replace deep mastering expertise, it delivers reliable results for competent mixing, making it a legitimate time-saving tool rather than a shortcut.