Mastering, for me, is the final step to creating a pleasing, unified sound across all tracks (not just volume), sequencing the tracks into a pleasing order & pacing, and making sure there is "digital black" in between each track.

After that, making sure all the artwork is correct, the tracks are listed in order, and the final ISO is correct, with no flaws.

I consider this a separate process, and usually wait a week or so before doing it to clean my ears out.

i5 3.20GHz, 32gb RAM, 1tb SSD OS, 12tb HDD, 4gb gForce vid card, 32" monitor, Audient id44, Win10 x64, BiaB/RB 2023, Reaper 6,IK Multimedia Total Studio 3.5 MAX, Waves 10