How to make your recording sound professional?

[Aff]

I do alot of stuff with a mate and when the tracks are finished we convert each track to audio so you end up with say 30 tracks of audio from start to finish across the whole of the screen.

then he takes it to a studio and they convert it from cubase into logic and begin mixing it down properly and mastering.

when he comes back the sound is much bigger and any stereo friendly.

as i work and don't have the time to go to studios and anyway, he releases ours, my own are just for personal use.

however, i'm sure i can make my own recordings better just by buying some decent software or maybe not even that, just knowing what needs doing. at the moment the mix sound sgreta on my studio monitrs (jbl control 5 with sub) but when i get it on the hifi downstairs (missions) the sound is not as seperated and the bass is a bit overpowering.

i've tried matching cds with my own recording but not sure where to start. they all sound about the same on my studio monitors (maybe a little 'bigger' so i don't know why my own mix is struggling and not sure what to tweak.

any methods for this?

[Kim Lajoie]

however, i'm sure i can make my own recordings better just by buying some decent software

This is a dangerous proposition. Learn to use what you have first. Use it to it's absolute limits. Only then will you know exactly how you need to upgrade.

or maybe not even that, just knowing what needs doing. at the moment the mix sound sgreta on my studio monitrs (jbl control 5 with sub) but when i get it on the hifi downstairs (missions) the sound is not as seperated and the bass is a bit overpowering.

It's good that you're recognising this. It's the first step to training your ears for audio engineering.

i've tried matching cds with my own recording but not sure where to start. they all sound about the same on my studio monitors (maybe a little 'bigger' so i don't know why my own mix is struggling and not sure what to tweak.

Matching CDs of similar music is a good way to learn your monitors and improve your mixing skills. Start by listening very closely to the tone of each individual instrument, and the balance between the instruments. It helps if you can switch between the CD and your mix (in progress) quickly and easily.

I hope that helps. What kind of music are you working on?

Forever,




Kim.

[IIRs]

Sounds like your monitor setup needs tweaking: if your mixes are always bass-heavy, that implies that your monitors are bass-light.

Try adjusting your sub, or re-arranging your room, until you reach a point where your mixes seem to sound the same when played on other systems.. until you get that right any other advise is pointless as you won't be able to apply it accurately..

[Sepheritoh]

Many of your questions can be answered by getting The Mixing Engineer's Handbook. There are great resources on the internet too at The project studio handbook

Most of what you want to do can be done with existing tools. More tools may help to make it easier and better once you know exactly what you need.

[jones-y]

Perfect advice Jeez, I was gonna say the same things.

I'd like to add that the "some new gear will fix it" syndrome is dangerous because you don't really get to learn the concepts of mixing audio, you just end up applying the multi-band comp on the master bus, and select the "Mastering 1" preset.

[DevonB]

The best thing is sitting down with an experienced pro and having him/her show you the ropes. The next best thing is at least booking studio time and watch a pro do it. The next is probably get some books and start reading and working.

Buying better equipment/software is nice, but doesn't do you any good if you don't know how to use what you already got.

Devon

[Mighty_Hero]

Yep and mixing it right before bouncing down helps too

[Mighty_Hero]

(mods move please)

[vtx]

I'm no expert on this subject,,but I had someone with experience have a listen to my multi-tracks,,which is a better way to gauge problems rather than just listening to a finished master..
These were the problems he found:
1-Tracks not recorded at or near unity,,which can introduce noise.
2-Improper panning,,instruments need to be in their own space in the stereo field.
3-Over processing after bouncing,,this can suck the dynamics out of the mix.

One general rule was to take beer breaks!

[DevonB]

One general rule was to take beer breaks!

Ummm... that's the last thing you want to do in all seriousness, but I bet you weren't being serious?

Devon

[vtx]

Did I say beer,,,,I mean tea,,,,I meant to say I'm having a beer!

[Dogboy73]

I started a music technology course in September & only half way through the first module, Recording, I'm really starting to appreciate (More than ever) the importance of some of the key studio FX & sound processors you have at your disposal. Of course, The first thing you learn about recording is that your source material needs to be as good as can be or at least suitable for your purposes - As the saying goes you can't polish a turd. The next thing you learn is the importance of EQ's, Compressors, Gates, Reverb etc. Once you start to understand how these processors & FX are used effectively your recordings will start to come to life. Even with some basic knowledge I've started to give my often flat sounding recodings some new life.

[crazed one]

I started a music technology course in September & only half way through the first module, Recording, I'm really starting to appreciate (More than ever) the importance of some of the key studio FX & sound processors you have at your disposal. Of course, The first thing you learn about recording is that your source material needs to be as good as can be or at least suitable for your purposes - As the saying goes you can't polish a turd. The next thing you learn is the importance of EQ's, Compressors, Gates, Reverb etc. Once you start to understand how these processors & FX are used effectively your recordings will start to come to life. Even with some basic knowledge I've started to give my often flat sounding recodings some new life.

Any good reads that you could recommend?

[Dogboy73]

Any good reads that you could recommend?

This book has popped up a few times - Once from Kurt Kurasaki (AKA Peff) & the other time by our recording tutor in college;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... 49-8047635

The first (customer) reviewer doesn't seem to like it But our tutor recommended this book as the simplified visual approach gives you a very good alternative way of looking at a mix & some how it automatically seems to make sense.

He also recommended a couple of other books which I've only breiffly flicked through. I think I've got the names jotted down at home. I'll post back when I'm there ......... If I've still got the names!

[crazed one]

Any good reads that you could recommend?

This book has popped up a few times - Once from Kurt Kurasaki (AKA Peff) & the other time by our recording tutor in college;
http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASI ... 49-8047635

The first (customer) reviewer doesn't seem to like it But our tutor recommended this book as the simplified visual approach gives you a very good alternative way of looking at a mix & some how it automatically seems to make sense.

He also recommended a couple of other books which I've only breiffly flicked through. I think I've got the names jotted down at home. I'll post back when I'm there ......... If I've still got the names!

very well. and thanks!