mastering q's

[cslewiss]

i was wondering if anyone could help me with some general tips on mastering. i use sonic foundry products and i've been trying to master my songs on sound forge which has a multi band compressor and some eqs. i've been experimenting with it for a couple weeks now but i'm not sure if i really understand how to use these tools. in listening and comparing to other cds i notice that there's a lot of sparkle missing from my recordings. how do i get this? or is it not possible with the tools that i have? please help!!!!!

[Wallycleaver]

That sparkle cost probably 100 times more than the gear you have. If you have to have it, send it out to a mastering house, or if it's not that important, tinker and practice, but the easier way to get a good master is to have a great mix!

[VOXVENDOR]

keep in mind, that if the sparkle wasn't in the original master, Not even Ludwig..(most famous mastering guy in the world) can make it sound sparkly...I find that with mastering..less is better....For instance.. i have heard very simple mastering which is awesome, and then pro stuff, where the guy just went nuts with every plug-in available, and it ends up to be this squashed ball of noise... use discression.....

Good luck..Joe