Set up advice for Mastering?

[STRAT581]

Our band is Recording its 2nd CD.
We are going to try to do it all on our
own this time.

I am getting a PC custom built for Audio
Tracktion II (when avialable)
UAD-Project Pack Card
Presonus Firepod.

What application is recommended for Mastering (user friendly)
that works well with Tracktion?
(if really screw up the mastering I will probably
end up sending it out to get it done right.)
Thanks for your opinions
Mike

[multree]

FinalMix is bundled with Tracktion and should be good enough... otherwise you might try T-RackS / Ozone or the free BetabugsAudio/Yohng W1 Limiter

[STRAT581]

so I can finalize, set up sequence of songs for a CD
with Final Mix which comes with Tracktion?

[Lunch Money]

Yes.

It really all depends on what you want to accomplish, though, since mastering is such an involved process, and the technology for accomplishing a decent job is only the beginning.

So... you DO have enough software power, but you may not have the right room, right ears, and right understanding of mastering. I certainly don't.

Greg

[STRAT581]

do you send out for mastering?

[Lunch Money]

Me personally? I barely get songs written, and then I poorly mix them. I have never had enough material or a serious enough project to even consider it, and usually I give up on the mixing phase after a certain amount of time because I just want to move on. But for YOU, if it's an important project, then I would recommend at least considering it.

Greg

[valley]

do you send out for mastering?

What I'd do - if I were aiming for commercial success, and my mastering did not seem to be cutting it - is send the first CD off for mastering.

When you get it back, spend the down-time before starting your next CD, comparing the source material you sent, and the mastered version you got back.

Look at them in spectrum analysers. Compare levels. Try to get a feel for *what* was changed, then:

- try to work out why the changes were made
- look to see how to achieve those changes

That should point you in the right direction for the next project.

[multree]

i could never afford to send a record to a (online) mastering studio... they are sooo expensive..... which means my songs will never sound professional

[Lunch Money]

I like your songs that way, Mully.

Say...

You're in a lot of threads today. You must be really effing bored. We should collab on a song, that'll relieve your boredom.

Greg

[edelweiss]

My advice would be to give it a try...
Make a copy of your song(s) to a Tracktion archive, then go for it...Worst case scenario is you lose some time....but, in doing so you will most likely learn what it takes to get the sound that you are going for....

If it doesn't come out the way you want it to, just open the archive and send it out for mastering...

[STRAT581]

it I try it myself
Ozone?
TRacks?
Wavelabs?
SoundForge?
I'm clueless?

[multree]

I like your songs that way, Mully.

Say...

You're in a lot of threads today. You must be really effing bored. We should collab on a song, that'll relieve your boredom.

Greg

aqtually I'm freezing my ass of... and need to do something with my fingers in order to not loose them to the ice taking over my farm....

I need a new heater

okay so lets do a song.... shall I call you on the phone and you record my voice via your mic ...should be cool

[edelweiss]

Well, I wouldn't spend a whole lot of money until you're sure you like the results. after a little bit of practice I have been able to get the sound I want just using Final Mix...if that doesn't work for you try downloading the demos. All of those that you mentioned are excellent tools, so it basically comes down to personal taste, both in terms of the sound you arrive at and the way the software works for you...

[STRAT581]

Is tracktion able to set up song sequence on CD?

[Lunch Money]

okay so lets do a song.... shall I call you on the phone and you record my voice via your mic ...should be cool

We could do that... OR, we could use Tracktion's handy capabilities for collaborating.

Greg