mastering?

[rhythmgtr5]

What all is involved with mastering? What software program would I need to do it (I'm using cool edit pro 2.0 currently)?

Thanks

[BrettB]

Masytering is actually everything you do after you have made a mix to a two L-R track. It involves final compression and optional effects, and even putting volume between different songs right to create an album that is consistent.

Correct me if I missed something.

They are several programs u can use, wavelab is a popular one. But if you got great plug-ins, you can defintely use CE if you're not a million dollar pro.

[littledog]

The Mastering process is a combination of tasks.

Some can be done easily at home, and others really require a professional mastering engineer.

The easy stuff:
•arranging the songs in order
•setting the spaces between songs.

The hard stuff:
•corrective EQ and compression
•balancing the levels of songs so that they are approriate relative to eachother
•setting the overall loudness of the project as a whole.
•using noise reduction devices to clean up hiss and unwanted non-musical sounds
•fine tuning fades
•creating a mastered piece of media that will be sent to be pressed

It's not that you can't buy stuff easily to do most of the above, but what you miss when you do it at home are:

•extraordinarily accurate and detailed speakers/amps
•pristine acoustic listening environment
•the mastering engineer's highly trained ears, which can judge what needs to be done to make the mix translate well to all kinds of listening environments.
•highest quality hardware and software.

I'm not a mastering engineer. Recognizing that, I would never allow any of my mixes to be released commercially without going through the mastering process at the hands of a competent mastering pro.

[BrettB]

Originally posted by littledog

.
•using noise reduction devices to clean up hiss and unwanted non-musical sounds

That's the only thing of your post I'm not sure of. I mean, when you got a professional recording, I don't think there will be any unwanted noses that weren't fixed in the mix with a gate or some Eq'ing.

[barefoot]

Originally posted by rhythmgtr5
...What software program would I need to do it

At minimum you would need EQ, Multiband Compressor, and Limiter software plugins like those in the Waves Native Gold Bundle.

Better still would be the Waves Masters Bundle since these pugs run with 48 bit precision where the Gold Bundle plugs are only 24 bit on the PC.

Then a soundcard with good digital to analog converters - at minimum something on the order of an Echo Layla or Delta 1010.

Ok, so there's what, a $2000 investment or so?

Well that's nothing. Now you need a proper set of amps, speakers and a listening room to go with it. If I built you a set of powered reference monitors appropriate for mastering at cost - I do it at cost to support my habit, I mean hobby - I'd say they would run about $7000. A very basic room remodel with things like bass traps, strategically placed RPG diffusers, and maybe even some angled walls and such might run another $6000.

There you go. A mere $15,000 USD investment and you have an entry level low budget mastering facility. With a lot of practice and pounding the pavement for work you might make enough cash to break even in a few years.

Oh, you say you're just doing it for fun? Then get the Gold Bundle and some good monitors and have fun damn it!.

barefoot

[littledog]

Originally posted by BrettB

That's the only thing of your post I'm not sure of. I mean, when you got a professional recording, I don't think there will be any unwanted noses that weren't fixed in the mix with a gate or some Eq'ing.

I wish I was that confident about my stuff. You'd be surprised at some of the undiscovered/unwanted things you might hear once you replay those mixes on those excellent speakers in that perfect room. That's one reason why you go there.

If it turns out your recordings are pristine, then so much the better. If not, hardware/software like Sonic Solutions No-Noise may be just what the doctor ordered.