Guest Aeon Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 I've had trouble getting proper midrange in my songs. Stuff sounds good in the 'rough' stage, but when I go master tracks & even out levels... problems. I'm using software compressors on most stuff, usually individual compressors devoted to each channel. And yes, I've tweaked many individual EQ settings for each channel. This works great on kicks & basslines - but doesn't seem to help that much with synths, usually makes them sound even more hollow. I'm wondering if synth 'fatness' is more from initial settings or mastering later. Is Compression generally something to avoid if you can? Or should it be done across the board on all channels all the time? And how about compressors as a "Master Effect" on all channels at once? I know using a hardware Compressor/EQ would probably help, but I can't afford that. It seems like most well-mastered albums have the peaks stay consistent with the kick/bassline being loudest, een during loudest synth solos. My synths always peak higher if they're turned up enough to be clearly audible. Hopefully one of you experts out there (Mr Peculiar?) will be willing to give out the pro mastering tips. It's frustrating to be satisfied with the structure of my tracks but getting held up in the last phase of fine tuning. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest the polinick Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 im far from being an expert but i know that a bad used compressor may take the life from the synths. Try to set a nice atak cuz if its too fast it takes off the sharpness. And lot of eq may help too. ok...thats my humble advice. see ya. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Slidingtrancer Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 Compressing, EQ and a bit of gnarly reverb make synths stand out in general Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Lifeform Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 Well, you can compress everything within the rough mix, though it is better to compress before the enter the digital realm of sound... If your using real synths/gear. Main parts you should really consider compressing while in the mix is of course your bassline, and your basskick. Those are the 2 most important. You can compress your tracks while in your sequencer to fix up BIG problems, but if you dont think it needs it... Don't compress it. If it sits well in your track, dont compress it. For the final stage of mastering, i hope your using a parametric EQ before your even think about compressing it. Trying using a program like Sound Forge or Wavelab do to this. Mixdown your track to wav and load it up in sound forge/wavelab. I ussually never use any master effects in my sequencer, cubase. If i do, it's only a stereo expander. Way to much cpu power... Now, what kinda compressor are you using on your final mixdown? Here are some good mastering tools you could check out. Izotope Ozone, very wicked program that gives you pretty much all you to work wonders on your finished product... Waves software... C1 Compressor is nice... WIth this one.. It's good to do it little by little focusing on individual parts till you hit that sweet spot. Tweak till about 4 db reduction. Comes out pretty nice. Let me focus on the paragraphic EQ for a second though cause that might be causing some problems... Sound Forge, again has a semi nice built in Pg EQ, but this could be used on any eq... I use the WAVES Q10 or Ozone. Cut all your freq. of 20 and less. this is must, and a very good trick is too cut some mid range RIGHT (!!)after your bassline freq. This will boost your bassline when it my sound too covered up. Ussually 250-500 hz. And make sure you make that as skinny as possible (your midrange cut band)... jack a tiny bit of freq. in the 640 range... and of course... Give it alittle air around 20K. Of course this all applys to a well produced mix, and will vary for every other track, just a starting point. Good compressor setting to start with, dont use this... still tweak, but use this as a starting point. Attack: Fast Release: 0,6/Auto Ratio: 2-5.1 Knee: Soft and Gain Reduction 4 db. ( w/ a stereo link on ) Enjoy, and if you want me to elborate on something just let me know. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Slidingtrancer Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 Izotope Ozone Rules man It's my most important tool Do not forget to mention the great harmonic exciter and loudness maximizer. Wonderfull gear, except for the masterreverb... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Aeon Posted June 29, 2002 Share Posted June 29, 2002 Yes, I've definately enjoyed the Maximizer & Harmonic exciter for boosting & clarifying samples & certain things, but those two didn't focus on just the midrange part I was concerned with. The maximizer is great but on synthlines it evened things out so much there weren't any dynamics left in the wave form. I'll definately check out Ozone... there's even a link to Izotope built into the Orion manual, if it comes so highly recommended from music software writers there definately must be something to it. Thanks for the detailed info Lifeform, I'll definately use your EQ tips. I think my problem was using the built-in EQ in Nuendo, which is only 4 bands. I'll definately need more to do such narrow frequency range cuts etc. I have the waves package, I'll start using that. Anyway, it sounds like you use more hardware than I do, I'm assuming hardware in general has a fatter sound to begin with. If anyone else has info that wasn't mentioned I'm all ears. I suppose I should've entered my tracks in the contest as an example of what I'm lacking, but I was too much of a perfectionist. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mugge Posted July 4, 2002 Share Posted July 4, 2002 Make sure that the final mastering of a track is done at a proffesional mastering studio( they have the best stuff... ). If you intend to release your music, then the recordlabel will fix this. Mastering is an artform that should be left to the proffesionals, a bad mastering could destroy a track as much as a good one could enhance it. Otherwise my best tip is to try and listen, use good monitors and try the music on many different speakers, cos they all give their special touch to the sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest me Posted July 5, 2002 Share Posted July 5, 2002 WHAT'S THE GOAL OF MASTERING THOUGH? i mean i'm listening to something i did in cubase right now. it's in wavelab. the mix sounds NOTHING like the stuff i like. i have every plugin known to mankind so i'm wondering- what the hell am i trying to do here? haha should i try making all frequencies the same level? i guess so. but anyway i'm on the verge of putting a bullet into my head because its been 5 years and i can never make anything sound like a pro mastered recording. so anyway what the fuck is the purpose of mastering something? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest ATMA Posted July 17, 2002 Share Posted July 17, 2002 Profesional mastering using VSTi plugins ? HEHEHE...U must be kidding. Sweet dreams kids. If you really wanna do a profy mastering.. just buy a rack processor like TC FINALIZER /24bit. Comect is to the output of your souncard or mixer and you will be surpriced...you will sound like Astral, or Hallucinogen hehehe.... You will never do a good mastering without the help of an external compressor. A profy DAT record is made on +6 Db. There is no any souncard capabil to reach this level without distortion. So sper money and buy a Tc Finalizer...you can find it at 2000-2500 Euro( second hand) Boom Shankar !! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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