The process is :

Arrange -> Record -> Mix -> Master


When done properly, the mastering is the final stage. We could argue of the exact Webster's definition of "mastering" for days...whether it can be done to a single song or if it refers to a group of songs..... but essentially it means to finish the process of recording and mixing. EQ, reverb, and compression tend to be the foundation of any good mastering job.

There's no "magic" in the process or after the process but the process when done correctly is "magical".

The sheen, the sparkly, the air will all be there as will the thump, richness and fatness. When I refer to mastering an individual song, I speak of it as small "m" mastering. And, if you recall many of my conversation posts on this, I don't use the word "mastering" very often when referring to this process. I use "polish" as the word.

You can find my music at:
www.herbhartley.com
Add nothing that adds nothing to the music.
You can make excuses or you can make progress but not both.

The magic you are looking for is in the work you are avoiding.