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Isratrance Mastering Shootout 1
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Babaluma
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
18
Posts :
729
Posted : Sep 17, 2012 14:48:59
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I'm starting a new thread here, originating from a recent discussion in the "Mastering Service" thread.
The idea is that we can all learn a lot from each other.
The guidelines:
1) Anyone can have a go. The more the merrier! 
2) Download the unmastered track below, and master it to your satisfaction. Upload your mastered, CD quality (16 bit, 44.1kHz) version within one week (Monday, 24th September at the latest), and post the link in this thread. Please attach your name/handle/studio name to the file name, so that we know whose is whose. Revisions are not allowed, you only get one chance.
3) Download everyone else's mastered versions, and give them a critical listen while making notes. Post your notes here. Try to keep it to constructive comments. Read everyone else's notes, and discuss as necessary. If a lot of people join, we could make two groups.
4) When everyone has posted their comments, we then each list exactly what we did to the track, and why.
The track:
This is an IDM style track by Pawnsphinx. It's a zipped 24 bit, 44.1kHz file. Here is the link:
http://darkflame.hermetech.net/Pawnsphinx-WinterFur.zip
Client's notes:
No specific requirements, except to make it sound better, but he has stated to me on numerous occasions that he is not a fan of over-compression/limiting. I will invite him along here to participate, if he wants to. Please don't share the track, all copyrights etc. remain with Pawnsphinx.
I think that's it, happy mastering, and please let me know if anything is not clear!
Gregg
  http://hermetechmastering.com : http://www.discogs.com/artist/Gregg+Janman : http://soundcloud.com/babaluma |
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Sep 17, 2012 18:54
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Ok I tried to master it.
Basically I found the mix to be a little bit on a dull side, mostly because of lots of samples used being steeply lowpassed, as if they were converted to mp3.
However overall it is transparent and balanced.
Old school drums and leads give the track special, old school, blend
Because there is only one file and it is not necessary to match some special 'market' loudness, I chose not to squash it, making the loudest part being compressed to only about 1 dB.
The file:
www.overdreamstudio.com/mastering/winterfur.zip
www.overdreamstudio.com |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 17, 2012 19:15
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Quote:
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On 2012-09-17 18:54, makus wrote:
Basically I found the mix to be a little bit on a dull side, mostly because of lots of samples used being steeply lowpassed, as if they were converted to mp3.
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same here and some distortion similar to mp3 .
couldnt listen to it in good condition yet but i think i will use a multiband to make the work easier (rarely use them but the balance was not great here but its maybe my room, it sound a bit bandpassed here )
insteed of more eq i think it will be more helpfull in this case cause of the dynamic of the tune that i want to control/tame a little in some frequencies range
dunno if it s on purpose but the kick is paned more left, i find it a bit disturbing but maybe it s a choice |
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Babaluma
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
18
Posts :
729
Posted : Sep 17, 2012 19:57
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Nice, glad you guys are participating!
Best to leave comments on the mix and what we did/are going to do (and why we did it) until after everyone has uploaded their files, i.e. in one weeks time.
Having said that, can you point to the specific times where you are hearing distortion? I thought it sounded pretty clean, but haven't given it a really in depth listen yet.
Should have my master up tomorrow! Had to finish off an album today on a tight deadline.
http://hermetechmastering.com : http://www.discogs.com/artist/Gregg+Janman : http://soundcloud.com/babaluma |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 17, 2012 21:42
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about the distortion i find it sound kind of lofi with some harshness in some samples a bit similar to lowbit rate mp3 but it could be a artistic choice |
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Sep 17, 2012 21:55
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Quote:
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On 2012-09-17 19:15, PoM wrote:
dunno if it s on purpose but the kick is paned more left, i find it a bit disturbing but maybe it s a choice
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that's idm baby 
www.overdreamstudio.com |
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knocz
Moderator
Started Topics :
40
Posts :
1151
Posted : Sep 17, 2012 22:05
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Hi!
This is my try. I'm not a professional neither do I have the proper gear or knowledge to master anything, but still we must learn and the best way is by experimenting, so I gave it a shot  Please do comment.
I send the wav track ( http://dl.dropbox.com/u/41203092/Freeze%20Pawnsphinx%20Winterfur%20%28KnocZ%20Master%29.wav ) and the Ableton project file used to master this ( http://dl.dropbox.com/u/41203092/Pawnsphinx-WinterFur%20%28KnocZ%20Mastering%29%20Project.7z ).
Other than the standard suite tools, I used "EngineersFilter" and "Voxengo SPAN", both free.
My comments about the process and settings can be found in the project archive, in a txt file, for the curious.
I consider this as try to improve the quality of the tune while trying to stabilize the levels and energy, without wanting to affect it so much. I still wanted to keep the original dynamics, and the amateurs' (in other words, me) normal errors is to overdue everything (which I probably did). Nevertheless, the result seems to work.
I really feel not confident at all with mastering, so any comments would be awesome to improve. What mistakes have I made? What can I do better? What have I missed?
Super Banana Sauce http://www.soundcloud.com/knocz |
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PoM
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
162
Posts :
8087
Posted : Sep 17, 2012 22:09
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Quote:
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On 2012-09-17 21:55, makus wrote:
Quote:
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On 2012-09-17 19:15, PoM wrote:
dunno if it s on purpose but the kick is paned more left, i find it a bit disturbing but maybe it s a choice
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that's idm baby
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first contact with idm hehe !
it make a problem to work on the stereo of the tune, the kick may go more on the side if the sound get widened |
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Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
95
Posts :
5380
Posted : Sep 18, 2012 03:02
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bleeps
Started Topics :
0
Posts :
2
Posted : Sep 18, 2012 04:12
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Hey all,
So I'm new to the site, and was stumbling around the forums when I came across this thread, and I figured I would give this ol' mastering shootout here a whirl. I didn't spend too much time mastering this one, however. I just ran it through ozone 5. I attempted to balance everything out, and blend the sounds together to make everything sound cohesive. After that I checked the master in the mac terminal window using afclip to check for clipping, and there is none, so I know though it holds up to itunes standards. Can anyone tell me their thoughts on the sub ranges? Are they overpowering?
Heres the secret link to the track on soundcloud.
http://snd.sc/RjOMED
[/quote]
that's idm baby
[/quote]
first contact with idm hehe !
it make a problem to work on the stereo of the tune, the kick may go more on the side if the sound get widened
[/quote]
I'm pretty new to this idea of the kick being panned left too. What is the purpose of panning it left? Is it to play off the kick and the snare panned opposite ways so they kind of play off of eachother and add a little extra motion to the song? |
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Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
95
Posts :
5380
Posted : Sep 18, 2012 04:44
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makus
Overdream
Started Topics :
82
Posts :
3087
Posted : Sep 18, 2012 09:41
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Colin added extra PHATT!
its like a different track, lol
some sort of really nice dynamic processing that lacks in all other versions. really like the result!
www.overdreamstudio.com |
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Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
95
Posts :
5380
Posted : Sep 18, 2012 12:16
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xoC
Cubic Spline
Started Topics :
10
Posts :
179
Posted : Sep 18, 2012 12:39
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Babaluma
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
18
Posts :
729
Posted : Sep 18, 2012 12:44
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Nice to see so much interest!
I would like it if people could stick to the rules a bit (see OP), i.e. not comment on any tracks (including what they did on their own versions) until all have been uploaded, and the original file has been taken down, next Monday. This gives everyone who wants to, a chance to participate. Your mastered file needs to be available from when you upload it, then for at least a week after next Monday, to give everyone who wants to a chance to listen, appraise, and comment.
As for me, I won't be downloading/listening to anyone else's files until next Monday.
I don't think anyone has actually done this yet, but the artist has asked me to ensure that the only public links to the original file and the mastered versions are kept within this thread, please don't allow public listens or downloads on SoundCloud etc. (not to mention the terrible encoding SoundCloud imposes on streamed files).
When next Monday comes, download all the tracks, load them into your DAW on separate tracks, adjust gains until all roughly/subjectively sound the same level. Then A/B/C/... them all while making notes. This will give a fairer appraisal.
So the order basically goes:
1) Master the track (and keep notes on what you did!)
2) Upload it before next Monday and post the link here
3) Listen to everyone else's master and make notes
4) Post your notes here
5) After everyone has commented on everyone else's master, we write what we did and why.
Sorry to sound like an old fart, but this is how we've been doing it for years on the REP mastering forum, and it works really well to keep everything organised. We often use a separate thread for the "What we did" bit.
I did a master last night, just gonna have a re-listen again now (I always like to leave things for a day and come back to them with fresh ears before signing off), and if it's good to go I'll upload it and post the link in a couple of hours!
Gregg
P.S. Yep, let's do it again in a few weeks with a trance tune!
http://hermetechmastering.com : http://www.discogs.com/artist/Gregg+Janman : http://soundcloud.com/babaluma |
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