What does "post-production" involve?

The term "post-production" is primarily associated with the stages that follow the initial recording of audio or video content. In this context, it encompasses essential processes such as editing, mixing, and mastering audio recordings.

Editing involves selecting and arranging the best takes, removing unnecessary segments, and adjusting timing or pacing. Mixing is the process of blending different audio tracks together, balancing levels, and adding effects as needed to create a cohesive sound. Mastering is the final step that prepares the mixed audio for distribution by ensuring it meets industry standards for sound quality and volume across various playback systems.

This understanding is critical in the audio production field, as post-production is where a significant portion of the creative work is done to refine and enhance the recordings before they reach the audience. The other options focus on aspects outside of the post-production phase: the initial recording phase is part of production, live performances are part of distribution and presentation, and marketing pertains to promoting the finished audio products rather than the technical refinement of the content itself.