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Comparing to released tracks
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Xetni
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
68
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 11:24:11
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When you have a less than ideal monitoring environment (or using headphones) you will hear:
" Load a mastered track into your DAW for reference. "
But if you have tried that, it is very hard to compare your work in progress with a pro, finished psytrance track.
I match the volume for RMS, pro track sounds brighter, more hyped, higher quality, all the sounds mesh nicely and it just has that "polished" sound.
So obviously my raw synth sounds will never sound like that, how do you know when you got the max out of the synth and it's time to take the next level tool? By the time you put the EQ, comps, M/S processing, exciters, multiband etc. it sounds nothing like what it started with.
Do you get my drift? It's very difficult to compare like this because when you A/B you can hear the pro track sounds better in every way, but it's hard to hear WHY and what you need to DO, to make your sounds to that level, because there is so much processing.
How do you approach that? Is it just get the best sound from the synth (or best sample) and then experiment with processing until you hit "that sound" ? |
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specymen
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
119
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 12:17
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loading a mastered track is maybe good if you are at the mastering stage.
otherwise i don't see the point to do it, unless you want to make exactly the same sound, but the other artist is better than you. so you will face disapointment |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 12:53
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there is mix stage before mastering, that where you should get most of the quality hopefully. practice , practice.. |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 13:00
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Quote:
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On 2013-02-23 11:24:11, Xetni wrote:
How do you approach that? Is it just get the best sound from the synth (or best sample) and then experiment with processing until you hit "that sound" ?
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yes that it, try to get a good idea of what you want and how to get there, try to see in your head what is needed (frequency balance / equing , fxs ect to get what you are after ) |
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Sgt-Kabukiman
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
59
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 13:03
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I've asked myself the same question plenty of times. Sure, you need a lot of experience, the correct equipment, the correct environment and - of course - a good pair of ears. But I can't imagine there's no 'system' behind mastering, that guides your actions, depending on what you try to achieve.
When you produce and you need a bass sound you know what to do - you know what devices you can use, you know which knobs you have to tune etc.
But how does this work when it comes to mastering? How to make the sounds merge like in professional mixes? What's the secret? WHAT IS IT???  |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 13:06
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btw mate, you should not match volume via rms but by ears ,cause mastered track is squashed . |
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specymen
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
119
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 13:14
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Quote:
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On 2013-02-23 13:03, Sgt-Kabukiman wrote:
But how does this work when it comes to mastering? How to make the sounds merge like in professional mixes? What's the secret? WHAT IS IT???
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the secret is to make the track sounding well before mastering. this is where everybody should start.
there is no secret, no magic, only work. |
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Lost & Found
Lost & Found
Started Topics :
11
Posts :
83
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 13:15
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Of course it helps. It helps with checking the levels,,,It helps you to see if your leads are way too soft or way too loud etc.
When you produce a track,,,forget thinking that your mistakes will be fixed in mastering later,,,,try to get your track sounding so good that the mastering engineer basically only has to fix the volume.
So referencing from a mastered track definitely helps. The pro track you are comparing with doesn't sound good because of the mastering, it sounds good because the production is good first.
 https://soundcloud.com/lostandfound |
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e-scape
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
17
Posts :
351
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 13:50
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Quote:
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On 2013-02-23 12:53, PoM wrote:
there is mix stage before mastering, that where you should get most of the quality hopefully. practice , practice..
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+1
Mixing is crucial if you want your track to sound good.Than a little bit of pro mastering and vuala...
http://soundcloud.com/e-scape-2 |
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
Started Topics :
187
Posts :
5292
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 14:26
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I always compare to released tracks, the best sounding ones as well and that means people who I don't really love their music, but love their production.
And try to get there in terms of loudness, phatness, clarity, everything...
http://soundcloud.com/martianarts |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 15:38
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what track you like the sound guys? need reference |
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Xetni
Started Topics :
3
Posts :
68
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 15:54
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 16:35
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i still like checksum by logic bomb , but a bit too scooped in the mids, smiley curve .
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Nectarios
Martian Arts
Started Topics :
187
Posts :
5292
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 16:51
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Quote:
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On 2013-02-23 16:35, PoM wrote:
i still like checksum by logic bomb , but a bit too scooped in the mids, smiley curve .
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Yeah, the new LB album sounds too hi-fish...no real mids in there...all down to taste of course.
My references are Dick Trevor tracks...although his sound is very plastic and his music is a bit hit and miss for me, his mixes sound massive.
Lucas and Trevor - Dirty Tackle
AMD - Mudtreiya Madness
Is the balance, punch, clarity and phatness I am after in my music.
http://soundcloud.com/martianarts |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Feb 23, 2013 17:01
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circuit breakers - circuit breakers nice too, but maybe a bit too much in the sub.
mate in these tunes do you still hear well the leads on a pa? cause the beat is often huge with the synth line behind, on big bass heavy pa the beat may be too much in front for my taste . |
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