How to Master in Logic Pro (Stock Plugins)

Updated August 2026 · by Loopin

Mastering in Logic Pro is straightforward with stock plugins on the Stereo Out: Channel EQ → Multipressor → optional Match EQ → Adaptive Limiter with an Output Ceiling of −1 dB. Logic even ships a built-in Loudness Meter, so you can hit about −14 LUFS integrated for streaming. If you’d rather skip the setup, Loopin’s free browser masterer lands the same targets automatically.

The Logic Pro stock mastering chain

All of this lives on the Stereo Out channel strip. The order mirrors a pro chain: corrective EQ first, then multiband compression for glue, an optional tonal match to a reference, and a limiter last for loudness and ceiling.

Load these plugins top to bottom on the Stereo Out:

Channel EQ — corrective EQ and a high-pass.
Multipressor — multiband compression for glue and band control.
Match EQ (optional) — match the tone of a reference track.
Adaptive Limiter or Limiter — loudness with a −1 dB Output Ceiling.

Step 1 — Corrective EQ with Channel EQ

Begin by fixing, not colouring. Use Channel EQ’s high-pass to remove sub-rumble, then make narrow cuts on harsh or boomy resonances. Keep any tonal boosts wide and small so you shape balance without adding edge.

Big EQ moves on the master usually signal a mix problem — go back to the mix rather than forcing it here.

High-pass below the lowest musical content to clear rumble
Narrow cuts for harshness (2–4 kHz) and boxiness (300–500 Hz)
Wide 1–2 dB boosts only, for air or warmth
Use the bypass to sanity-check each move

Step 2 — Multiband glue with Multipressor

Multipressor splits the signal into bands so you can compress each independently — ideal for keeping the low end steady while the mids and highs breathe. Aim for light gain reduction to bind the master together, not to flatten it.

A couple of dB on the loudest hits is glue; heavy reduction is a mix issue in disguise. Start from a gentle preset, then set your crossover points so the low band captures the bass and kick and the high band catches any harsh top end.

Watch the gain-reduction meters per band as the song plays. If one band is doing all the work, ease its threshold back and let the compression spread evenly — that’s what keeps a master transparent rather than pumping.

Control the low band separately so bass stays tight
Target roughly 1–3 dB of reduction across bands
Slow-ish attack keeps transients punchy
Match makeup gain to input so louder doesn’t fool you

Step 3 — Match to a reference (optional)

Match EQ can capture the frequency curve of a commercial reference track you admire and apply that tonal template to your master. It’s a fast way to spot whether your low end is heavy or your top end is dull compared to a pro release.

Use it lightly — dial the amount back so it guides your ears rather than overwriting your mix’s character.

Capture the reference’s spectrum, then apply to your master
Reduce the match amount to taste — 50% or less is common
Best as a check, not a full replacement for your own EQ
A/B against the unmatched version constantly

Step 4 — Loudness & ceiling with Adaptive Limiter

The Adaptive Limiter (or the standard Limiter) sets final loudness and protects peaks. Set the Output Ceiling to −1 dB and raise gain until you approach your target. Logic ships a built-in Loudness Meter plugin that reads LUFS — add it on the Stereo Out to check integrated loudness.

Integrated LUFS is the full-song average streaming platforms normalize to, so target that rather than the peak meter.

Output Ceiling: −1 dB
Target: about −14 LUFS integrated for streaming
Meter: Logic’s built-in Loudness Meter (LUFS)
Raise gain gradually and stop when it stops sounding better

How to master a track in Logic Pro

The full flow from a finished project to a bounced master:

Mix with headroom — no limiter on the Stereo Out, peaks near −6 dB.
Add Channel EQ for corrective cuts and a high-pass.
Add Multipressor for gentle multiband glue, low band controlled separately.
Optionally add Match EQ to compare against a reference track.
Add Adaptive Limiter and set the Output Ceiling to −1 dB.
Add the Loudness Meter, play the full song, and raise gain until integrated reads about −14 LUFS.
Bounce to WAV. Or drop your unmastered WAV into Loopin’s free masterer and let it hit −14 LUFS at −1 dBTP automatically.

Common mistakes

Over-applying Match EQ — a 100% match can hollow out your own character; keep it subtle.
Crushing with Multipressor — multiband is for control and glue, not for maximum squash.
Reading peaks instead of LUFS — add Logic’s Loudness Meter and target integrated loudness.
Pushing past −14 LUFS for ‘loudness’ — streaming turns it back down and keeps only the artifacts.
Skipping the −1 dB Output Ceiling — without headroom, inter-sample peaks clip on lossy encoding.

Or master it free in your browser

If you’d rather not build the chain, Loopin’s online mastering does the job free. It runs corrective EQ, multiband compression with the bass band kept independent, character EQ, saturation and M/S stereo work with the low end kept mono, then two-pass loudness targeting to about −14 LUFS and a true-peak limiter at −1 dBTP.

It’s 100% in-browser (nothing uploaded), free, no signup, no watermark, and exports a 16-bit WAV with dither. Bounce your Logic mix, drop it in, A/B against the original, and download a streaming-ready master.

Frequently asked questions

What LUFS should I master to in Logic Pro?

Aim for about −14 LUFS integrated for streaming, with the Adaptive Limiter’s Output Ceiling at −1 dB. Logic ships a built-in Loudness Meter plugin — add it on the Stereo Out to read integrated LUFS and dial in the target.

Which Logic Pro stock plugins do I use to master?

On the Stereo Out: Channel EQ for corrective EQ, Multipressor for multiband compression, optionally Match EQ to match a reference, then Adaptive Limiter or Limiter with the Output Ceiling set to −1 dB.

Does Logic Pro have a LUFS meter?

Yes. Logic Pro includes a built-in Loudness Meter plugin that reads LUFS. Put it on the Stereo Out, play the whole track, and read the integrated value to master to about −14 LUFS for streaming.

What is Match EQ for in mastering?

Match EQ captures the frequency curve of a reference track and applies that tonal template to your master, helping you spot where your balance differs from a pro release. Use it lightly — a partial match guides your ears without overwriting your mix.

Can I master a Logic Pro track for free?

Yes — bounce your mix to WAV with headroom and run it through Loopin’s free browser masterer. It targets about −14 LUFS with a −1 dBTP ceiling, runs entirely in your browser with nothing uploaded, and exports a 16-bit WAV.