KVR Audio

LoopisLucas · Post by **LoopisLucas** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:36 pm

Hello,
I'm mixing my first album and I purchased the Waves Gold Bundle v5.0 to use with MOTU's Digital Performer. I have a question...

I've examined the waveforms of professionally mixed tracks and there seems to be much more "meat" between beats than my mixes. Some of my favorite tracks' waveforms seem to be boxes that peak at the maximum volume without clipping. Can someone give me a suggestion for achieving this type of volume with Waves Gold Bundle without sacrificing dynamic fidelity (or direct me to a good tutorial)?

I would imagine I could bring up the drum & bass to their maximum levels then compress to bring up the other frequencies. I've tried this technique, but I have no idea what I'm doing and I can't prevent the track from clipping.

My music is mostly electronic so the only truly dynamic instruments are guitar and vocals. I'm looking to create a very big bassy and punchy (hip-hop style) low end with a very clear, warm presence in the remainder. Thank you so so so very much.

Sascha Franck · Post by **Sascha Franck** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:53 pm

Guess that's what the secrets of mastering houses are.
I'm sure you could start with L2 though (or is that L3 meanwhile?), but the key ticket might probably be some multiband compression.
Sorry, no detailed tips from my side, I suck at mixing (and even more so at mastering).

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 2:10 pm

Two things: first, to help with punchy bass in electronic music, awesome tutorial: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun01/a ... mixing.asp

Second, for mastering, check out Harbal and AAMS. These programs can help you achieve tighter sonic mixes and get more gain out of your masters. Both sites, especially the Harbal site, feature tutorials and advice on mastering. The Harbal site has a step=by-step multiband compression tutorial, using the Waves LinMB, and the AAMS site has a step-by-step also, and the program features suggestions specifically for the LinMB.

c1c2 · Post by **c1c2** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:17 pm

Great article, bduffy. Thanks for sharing.

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:20 pm

c1c2 wrote:Great article, bduffy. Thanks for sharing.

CANE CREEK · Post by **CANE CREEK** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:27 pm

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:31 pm

CANE CREEK wrote:You asked "Can someone give me a suggestion for achieving this type of volume with Waves Gold Bundle without sacrificing dynamic fidelity"

Its no secret that mastering houses are sacrificing dynamic fidelity dont think for one minute because they call themselves Pro their beyond destroying dynamic fidelity.

you are aware theres a loudness war going on i do hope that these mastering houses all see sense and start using the bob katz K-System Metering as a standard.

You know what would help? If everyone stopped watching TV. Video killed the radio star's dynamics.

CANE CREEK · Post by **CANE CREEK** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:33 pm

Sascha Franck wrote:Guess that's what the secrets of mastering houses are.
I'm sure you could start with L2 though (or is that L3 meanwhile?), but the key ticket might probably be some multiband compression.
Sorry, no detailed tips from my side, I suck at mixing (and even more so at mastering).

Its no secret that mastering houses are sacrificing dynamic fidelity too dont think for one minute because they call themselves Pro their beyond destroying dynamic fidelity.

you are aware theres a loudness war going on i do hope that these mastering houses all see sense and start using the bob katz K-System Metering as a standard.

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:35 pm

that's weird...how did I reply before you?

CANE CREEK · Post by **CANE CREEK** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:38 pm

bduffy wrote:that's weird...how did I reply before you?

i meant to post as a quote and had to repost

if all else fails this well known household plugin is ok

bool · Post by **bool** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:40 pm

2 limiters = better than 1. in series. first catches peaks, second adds program density.

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:41 pm

CANE CREEK wrote:
bduffy wrote:that's weird...how did I reply before you?
i meant to post as a quote and had to repost

if all else fails this well known household plugin is ok

Oh man, that could start a firestorm! I wouldn't have expected you to recommend that, for some reason...

CANE CREEK · Post by **CANE CREEK** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 9:44 pm

hey bduffy i did say sonic maximizer is ok i never said it was great , on my hosts master channel i use UAD-1 precision limiter & EQ sometimes ill add Ozone to the chain to widen the sound.

bduffy · Post by **bduffy** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 10:07 pm

CANE CREEK wrote:hey bduffy i did say sonic maximizer is ok i never said it was great , on my hosts master channel i use UAD-1 precision limiter & EQ sometimes ill add Ozone to the chain to widen the sound.

Yeah, that's right: you got the UAD goodness there. That's why I was surprised; I figured there's some wonderful, vintage-modelly plug that you'd use.

That is a classic effect, of course.

scam_artist · Post by **scam_artist** » Thu Mar 16, 2006 11:39 pm

bduffy wrote:Two things: first, to help with punchy bass in electronic music, awesome tutorial: http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jun01/a ... mixing.asp

yeh thanks for that - this is an area I've been concentrating on lately, getting the bottom end working. cheers

Maximizing Volume Question