Tracktion Software

jv2222 · Post by **jv2222** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 10:28 pm

Hi,

What is the best chain to setup to do a good master of a alt/pop/rock track...?

All advice wlecome!

Cheers,
JV

jv2222 · Post by **jv2222** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:38 pm

Wow! 41 Views and no news......

loomchild · Post by **loomchild** » Sat Jul 16, 2005 11:46 pm

Maybe because it all depends on the material you want to master?

Left Headphone · Post by **Left Headphone** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 12:12 am

EQ-Comp-Limiter or Comp-EQ-Limiter

kouts · Post by **kouts** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 12:47 am

I'd say first listen to your best cd's that contain the sound you want to achieve.
Then mix your tracks to achieve similar results. It's difficult but it's worth it.
Then if your mix is good enough a saturator-eq-multiband comp, chain should give the punch you're after. BUT concetrate on the mix!

Mr Coffeehouse · Post by **Mr Coffeehouse** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 12:52 am

The included Mackie Final Mix plug is a fine option.

6 Band Parametric EQ > 3 Band Multiband Compression > 6 Band Parametric EQ > Soft Clip Limiter.

Take some time to really learn this program.
Check out what the provided presets do on the material you wish to master. Use the ones that work best as a starting point for your mastering. Be careful though, it's just as easy to mess up a mix with this plugin as it is to enhance it~!

Best,
Mike from The Coffeehouse

jv2222 · Post by **jv2222** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 1:19 am

Hi All,

I had a play with the final mix plug..

Is there anything all encompasing that can also enhance stereo feild, add shimmer, warmth etc?

This is what I am wanting to master:
http://www.jvmultimedia.com/mp3/latest.wip.mp3

Cheers,
JV

rpc9943 · Post by **rpc9943** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:14 am

i say EQ the mix. then no need to 'brolly everything else.

RonC

Villy · Post by **Villy** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 4:58 am

Have a look at our database if you wish, hope it might help.

http://www.note2.com/content/view/39/55/

My signal flow is (make sure the mix is right 1st)
Then eq -> compress -> dither
Or if needed
eq -> compress -> limit -> dither.

If i hear something is wrong i mostly go back to the mix and fix it rather than try to master a track that doesnt really sound like i want. Tonal balance is everything as well, and that mostly shows up in the mastering stage when all sounds need to "blend" together.

Cya

Villy · Post by **Villy** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 5:01 am

By the way, if anyone knows any more related articles(good reads), please send them my way:>pm or site forum, cheers

IIRs · Post by **IIRs** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 5:15 am

jv2222 wrote:What is the best chain to setup to do a good master of a alt/pop/rock track...?

Impossible to give the kind of answer you are looking for.. the best chain includes whatever will rescue the mix! If the mix is perfect, you might not need anything..

.. however, I don't think your mix is perfect.

Actually I think its pretty good (and I like the tune btw) but I don't think there are enough dynamics in the mix, especially in the drums. This tends to make the mix sound flat and two dimensional.

The best thing you can do IMO is to go back to the mix and back off the compressors a bit.. the drums may even benefit from some upward expansion (try the 'punch up' presets on the Mackie compressors).

Failing that, try IQ4
with these settings

All 4 bands were set to upward expansion (my 'make it more exciting' setting).

Band one is set to add some punch to the low bass region, in just the mid channel.

Band 2 is widening the stereo image in the low mid range.

Band 3 is set to add a bit more snap to the snare drum.

Band 4 is set for a high shelving boost around 6KHz, while its side-chain is set much lower at 300Hz. This adds a bit of life & air to everything..

Don't expect this setting to make the track louder: it does the opposite! Specifically, it makes everything quieter except the drums which get a bit punchier.. also bear in mind I set this up with an mp3 file, at low volumes at 6AM, after partying with loose women all night

treat this as a rough guide only.

<edit> I bet you're a bloody mac user aren't you? In which case, forget all the IQ4 stuff..

here's a Final Mix preset that does roughly the same thing. (It can't do the mid/side processing though..

)

AndrewSimon · Post by **AndrewSimon** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 6:11 am

OK just fooling around with this MP3. (I hope you don't mind jv2222)
Great song by the way. Kinda U2 with a cool twist

Original

SuperHot

Hot

Just EQ and compressor, not the best sounding because the source is 128kbs MP3 but it gives you the general idea.

jv2222 · Post by **jv2222** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:13 pm

Hey everyone thanks a lot for your help

I remixed it into a mix that I felt was ok and then had a go with some of the 'final mix' presets. It's still not exactly what Im looking for but its a start. You can hear the mix and the master here:

http://www.jvmultimedia.com/mp3/shine.mix.mp3

http://www.jvmultimedia.com/mp3/shine.mastered.mp3

Hmmm. After all my efforts I think it might just be best to pay for a professional mastering house to do the job!

Cheers,
JV

p.s. If anyone else fancies a go at mixing this monster let me know and I can send you the tracktion archive!!

djsubject · Post by **djsubject** » Sun Jul 17, 2005 11:56 pm

good master!

maby a few tricks are needed in the edit mixdown of the vox IMO!!

i hate this sort os music!!

but i realy like this track

got a hip hop vibe in the beat, its got me bobbing my head

well done!! i'v not even been drinking!

Subject

jv2222 · Post by **jv2222** » Mon Jul 18, 2005 12:32 am

maby a few tricks are needed in the edit mixdown of the vox IMO!!

What did you have in mind?

Tracktion Software

KVR Audio

Mastering?