Let's talk about final mix

[rpc9943]

Hey.

I'm really going to give Final Mix a shot now. Seems cool. Im working on remastering my old cd's so I've found i really like the compression settings on the "pop" preset. What presets do you all use? Im running each track out to master of finalmix and using a little eq brolly to fix some of the offending tones. what do you think?

RoNC

[Lunch Money]

I've used different presets as starting points. Some of them are quite awful, but others are useful. I like the "General CD Mastering" better than the "Acuma CD Mastering", for a final mixdown preset.

I also find that many of the presets push the track to the clip point too closely for my liking. When it 'clips' the plug-in, the sound isn't great. I prefer tweaking so that final output is -0.5 db or so with very little or no soft clip engagement, and then use "find normalized levels" in Tracktion to get me up to that 0.

I haven't really read the manual. Maybe I'm just imagining things with that soft clip thing. But if it's just a placebo effect, it's still working for me. <grin>

There was one Male Voice setting that I really liked for using FinalMix as an insert effect... I can't remember which one it is offhand since that's an archived project I don't care to open, but just check them all to see which works.

If you like the compressor but not the EQ, why not try out the multiband comp that now comes with T2?

Greg

[rpc9943]

im using the eq in finalmix

[Lunch Money]

Ah, OK. I have to admit, that's one area where I haven't tweaked all that much from the presets.

[IIRs]

What presets do you all use?

Compressor presets were invented by Satan to prevent aspiring audio engineers from actually learning how to use one.

I only ever use them as starting points.. best tip I can give is: if you do use presets, pick a few for a shortlist, adjust the output gains so that bypassing Final Mix doesn't significantly change the level of the audio, and re-save the presets (maybe in your project directory.. ). Now you can choose a preset based on the real changes to the sound, not simply the one which has ended up loudest.

(You can always push the gain back up when you've made your choice, if you need to)

[IIRs]

Also, be aware that dynamics are exciting: compressing a mix too much will make it sound boring.

Fortunately the Acuma plugs are more than just compressors, they are sophisticated dynamics processors capable of expansion as well.

Eg: this is an example of upward expansion, which can be very useful to make things sound livelier.. using a setting like this for the low band of a multi-band compressor can potentially make boring mixes sound exciting!

[timmyo]

As a thicky newbie to recording I find Finalmix a decent 'educational' tool - if a preset does something I like I look to see what it is doing - helps me understand what freqs affect what, what amounts of compression do what etc.

I find the drum presets do 'too much' of whatever it is they do - any advice on taming slightly ?

Tim

[IIRs]

If its too compressed, a quick solution is to drop the input level a bit: this has the same effect on the gain reduction as raising the threshold level for all 3 compressors by the same amount.

[timmyo]

ta. shall give that a whirl.

[Steve Prince]

Compressor presets were invented by Satan to prevent aspiring audio engineers from actually learning how to use one.

Belief in god is a form of mental illness.

Sorry man couldn't resist

Steve

[IIRs]

Didn't say anything about the devil did I?

[.jon]

After inventing mastering presets, his parents & colleagues persuaded him to pursue other goals in life.

[Steve Prince]

Didn't say anything about the devil did I?

I notice that you spelt Satan with a capital S and god with a small g.

Where I go to church this could be refering to the same being

Steve

[Sidhu]

I never used any of the presets on finalmix.. But i rarely use presets...(i think only with reverbs) will give them a shot though.

I find final mix to be a nice plug.. i would like a nice dither built in... I dont like the new skin though.

@platinumears

I dont think i everd used a compressor to expand... sounds very exciting. Ill give it a run now.

Sidhu

[Sidhu]

I need to know.In t1 is the master volume fader pre or post inserts..

Also, none of the clip leds within Final mix are lighting up during the passage of the song, however, the T1 master meter clip light if coming on every now and then. What do i follow ? All faders are at unity.

sidhu