interesting masterchain

On 2015-05-07 03:56, Sonica wrote:
gotta love vintage warmer got one hell of a knee!

Hey all..First post here so go easy!

I have worked in dance music for over 15 years, and recently I have been in the studio with Axwell, Laidback Luke, Angello/Ingrosso, and quite a few other "name" dance producers from Europe and UK. They are all pretty much 100% ITB. Some use Logic 5, 6, or 7, some use Reason (yes reason!), some use Fruity Loops (like Deadmau5), and some use Cubase. The only hardware is things like mic pres or channel strips (Axwell has a couple of AMEK CIBs) for recording vocals and instruments, monitor speakers, mics, and obvious stuff like that. No classic hardware compressors or EQ's, or any other hardware digital FX. I should add here that most have decent plugs like UAD, WAVES or URS, but that's about it. No desk, often no studio, and often no decent monitoring.

So how do these guys get great results on computers with plugs, when many guys with expensive studios fail? Simple.. It's what they don't know that counts. Angello, for example uses 5-7 plugs across his master buss, which includes a couple of EQ's, and several Comp/limiters. He doesn't do this at the end of a project, he does it at the START! "Why do you do that" he was once asked. "Because it sounds good, and when you finish a track.. It's DONE! No mastering required.." They don't follow a set of rules as most pro engineers and producers do, they just do what's needed to get the job done quickly. These producers know what parts they want for a record, and know how to get them quick. Most have a good supply of sounds, favourite plug in synths, and plenty of favourite channel strip plugin presets. That way they can build a track quickly, and as such they don't get bored with a tune. Take Angello and Laidback Lukes track "Be", which was one of the biggest crossover tracks in clubs last year. They did it (start to finish) in 4 hours!

Trav.

Hey all..First post here so go easy!

So how do these guys get great results on computers with plugs, when many guys with expensive studios fail? Simple.. It's what they don't know that counts. Angello, for example uses 5-7 plugs across his master buss, which includes a couple of EQ's, and several Comp/limiters. He doesn't do this at the end of a project, he does it at the START! "Why do you do that" he was once asked. "Because it sounds good, and when you finish a track.. It's DONE! No mastering required.." They don't follow a set of rules as most pro engineers and producers do, they just do what's needed to get the job done quickly. These producers know what parts they want for a record, and know how to get them quick. Most have a good supply of sounds, favourite plug in synths, and plenty of favourite channel strip plugin presets. That way they can build a track quickly, and as such they don't get bored with a tune. Take Angello and Laidback Lukes track "Be", which was one of the biggest crossover tracks in clubs last year. They did it (start to finish) in 4 hours!

Trav.

On 2015-07-04 05:20, Colin OOOD wrote:
I don't think it's 'normal' but some people like to use mastering-style processing during the writing of the track. Unless you really know what you're doing however, I wouldn't recommend it as it's very easy to really fuck things up. I much prefer to master music that hasn't been processed this way as it gives me more freedom to get the best out of the track. If I get sent a track that has obviously been heavily compressed or limited I'll usually ask the producer for an unprocessed version. However I also enjoy the challenge of rescuing dynamics from a track that's been limited at -12dB! But the results from that are never going to be quite as good as from mastering a well-mixed track with nothing on the stereo buss.

On 2015-07-04 20:09, deepcontact wrote:

Quote:

On 2015-07-04 05:20, Colin OOOD wrote: I don't think it's 'normal' but some people like to use mastering-style processing during the writing of the track. Unless you really know what you're doing however, I wouldn't recommend it as it's very easy to really fuck things up. I much prefer to master music that hasn't been processed this way as it gives me more freedom to get the best out of the track. If I get sent a track that has obviously been heavily compressed or limited I'll usually ask the producer for an unprocessed version. However I also enjoy the challenge of rescuing dynamics from a track that's been limited at -12dB! But the results from that are never going to be quite as good as from mastering a well-mixed track with nothing on the stereo buss.

nice to hear from you, heard your live set once at up festival, very nice!

speaking about stereo and mono, what plugins do you use stereo and what do you leave in mono? (on the tracks not on the master) are there any guide lines for that? (asking for a master engineer)

thanks