| Author
|
Maximize in Mixdown?
|
NeuroGlitch
Started Topics :
2
Posts :
28
Posted : Jun 26, 2006 15:34
|
Hello
I usualy apply a maximiser in the mastering process, but what if i use it while making the track AND during mastering? I have tried it, but it's new to me. Is it one of those "production no-no's"?
Thanks |
|
|
Jikkenteki
Jikkenteki
Started Topics :
20
Posts :
356
Posted : Jun 26, 2006 16:06
|
In the general recording world, the mastering guys advise (usually strongly) against it. That said it does happen still. I never do it though, outside of when I am rendering files I will use in live sets (which thus aren't properly mastered). That said, case by case, use your ears, be prepared for differing opinions, etc etc....
 New Album: Jikkenteki - Flights Of Infinity
Available for free at http://www.ektoplazm.com/free-music/jikkenteki-flights-of-infinity/
PAR-2 Productions http://www.par-2.com |
|
|
|
Tiken Chika
Started Topics :
4
Posts :
40
Posted : Jun 27, 2006 15:20
|
NeuroGlitch don't miximize nothing
when you mixrecord be aware that your samples have a good headroom the slide there fader down if they r to high at the volume.
keep your mix ar -6db or -5db b4 the 0dbfs at the master fader then you will keep up a "space" to the mastering e for boosting and limiting. |
|
|
|
e-motion
IsraTrance Full Member
Started Topics :
71
Posts :
933
Posted : Jun 27, 2006 16:02
|
if you do the mastering yourself do it, if not, don't  be careful not to abuse from it. |
|
|
|
NeuroGlitch
Started Topics :
2
Posts :
28
Posted : Jun 29, 2006 11:07
|
I see ... thanx guys. much appreciated. I guess i'll use the "if it sounds good it is good" routine. I do use a headroom of roughly -6db, but there are the occasional peaks and spikes. When i maximise in mixdown this problem is solved (to a degree) and I can then master it more easily. It seems 'easy' will present more problems though.
Thanks again |
|
|
|
Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
95
Posts :
5380
Posted : Jun 29, 2006 16:04
|
It can sometimes help to write the track with some small processing on the master outputs; some people like to work with a compressor to give some idea of how the track might sound when it's been mastered. However in general, unless that compressor becomes a specific part of the track's sound, you should always turn it off when you're making your final version. Even where you really feel you want that compressor's sound on the whole track you should make a version without it; then when the track goes for mastering you can send the engineer both versions so they have an example of the sort of sound you'd like, but still have an unprocessed master to work on. If the engineer is any good this should mean that you will have the sound you want - only better than if you'd done it yourself, as it will have been done as part of the whole mastering process.
Mastering - http://mastering.OOOD.net :: www.is.gd/mastering
OOOD 5th album 'You Think You Are' - www.is.gd/tobuyoood :: www.OOOD.net
www.facebook.com/OOOD.music :: www.soundcloud.com/oood
Contact for bookings/mastering - colin@oood.net |
|
|
|
Nik
Error Corrective
Started Topics :
13
Posts :
142
Posted : Jun 29, 2006 16:26
|
good words colin.
I have found that it is better just to put an L2 with 0-db thresh over the mix buss and simply limit the peaks.
try doing this instead of achieving loudness by pulling the L2 threshold down on a quieter mix.
i also like to place C1 after the limiter just to give the track more density and, like Col said, to help achieve that mastered sound.
having this master fx chain is particularly useful for referencing your mix against other 'mastered' tracks - ideally you want to be able to get an identical sound and loudness when comparing with released material and making adjustments as you work in the mix is the best way to do this IMO.
at a seperate mastering stage you can not so easily adjust individual track levels that may be eating up your headroom.
1-0-1-0-1-0-1-0-?-0-1 |
|
|
|
Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
95
Posts :
5380
Posted : Jun 29, 2006 16:42
|
|
Nik
Error Corrective
Started Topics :
13
Posts :
142
Posted : Jun 29, 2006 16:54
|
yes id seen somewhere that you have had some hotshot pre-masters.
suprisingly though i didnt find hujaboys album to be that 'loud' - thats not to say it is a bad mix though, of course.
at the moment im finding the latest panik album to be the 'loudest' whilst still retaining a real clear, open and detailed sound.......that one is digitally mastered aswell.
1-0-1-0-1-0-1-0-?-0-1 |
|
|
|
Colin OOOD
Moderator
Started Topics :
95
Posts :
5380
Posted : Jun 29, 2006 17:06
|
|
NeuroGlitch
Started Topics :
2
Posts :
28
Posted : Jul 2, 2006 13:33
|
Quote:
|
On 2006-06-29 16:26, Nik wrote:
good words colin.
I have found that it is better just to put an L2 with 0-db thresh over the mix buss and simply limit the peaks.
try doing this instead of achieving loudness by pulling the L2 threshold down on a quieter mix.
i also like to place C1 after the limiter just to give the track more density and, like Col said, to help achieve that mastered sound.
having this master fx chain is particularly useful for referencing your mix against other 'mastered' tracks - ideally you want to be able to get an identical sound and loudness when comparing with released material and making adjustments as you work in the mix is the best way to do this IMO.
at a seperate mastering stage you can not so easily adjust individual track levels that may be eating up your headroom.
|
|
Thanks for the input guys. Yes, I use the L2 but only to limit the mix to -6db. But I've heard the less you process the mix after limiting it, the easier it is to master.
Is there any place or website where I can get some of these pre-masters?
2 ways of looking at life: You either live to dance or dance to live. |
|
|
|
UnderTow
Started Topics :
9
Posts :
1448
Posted : Jul 3, 2006 16:54
|
I'm no hot-shot producer but here is an example of before and after. It is part of a track I am working on. Just about 30 seconds to get the idea.
The After version is just some quick pseudo mastering. It allready tells me that I need to EQ the kick a bit if I want things to stay clean at this level of crushing (or more even). But in theory the Before version shouldn't be very different to the After version. Just quite a bit softer.
http://home.casema.nl/ajohnston/Loki-Before.mp3
http://home.casema.nl/ajohnston/Loki-After.mp3
UnderTow
|
|
|
|
br0d
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
12
Posts :
355
Posted : Jul 4, 2006 14:16
|
It's a crutch, like singing in the shower.
Add white noise and reverb, and everyone sounds great.
You should load one up to test how much gain reduction the limiter on your final master is ultimately gonna need. That is a good indicator of how well you are "getting it loud" through the mixing process. But don't leave it on, just click it on and off here and there. Run a parametric EQ on there too, it's a huge help. |
|
|
|
br0d
IsraTrance Junior Member
Started Topics :
12
Posts :
355
Posted : Jul 4, 2006 14:21
|
Quote:
|
On 2006-06-29 16:26, Nik wrote:
I have found that it is better just to put an L2 with 0-db thresh over the mix buss and simply limit the peaks. |
|
That is generally a good idea, but an even better one is to just use the peak LED on the master fader as an investigative tool to tell you when something is jumping out of the mix, and then backtrack it, find it on the individual track, and treat the dynamic problem at the source.
Quote:
| i also like to place C1 after the limiter just to give the track more density and, like Col said, to help achieve that mastered sound. |
|
This defeats the point of using a brick wall limiter. I guess if it's being mastered again with another limiter it might be ok, but if the C1 is the last thing in your final chain then you are needlessly losing RMS. |
|
|
|
Nik
Error Corrective
Started Topics :
13
Posts :
142
Posted : Jul 4, 2006 15:05
|
Quote:
| i also like to place C1 after the limiter just to give the track more density and, like Col said, to help achieve that mastered sound. |
|
This defeats the point of using a brick wall limiter. I guess if it's being mastered again with another limiter it might be ok, but if the C1 is the last thing in your final chain then you are needlessly losing RMS.
[/quote]
the point in using the limiter is to contain the peaks....if you put the C1 before the limiter then you would be clipping the C1, which is why i put it after.
the C1 isnt going to lose any 'RMS' if you apply the right settings 
1-0-1-0-1-0-1-0-?-0-1 |
|
|
|
