Hey all. I have figured out a way to get studio quality with my Samson GTrack, Mixcraft 5, and Izotope Ozone 5, while recording in your room. You can definately figure it out as well. I cannot explain my entire process in this thread but if you want to hear what a 150 $ studio can sound like check the link in my signature. You can compare your 30$ an hour studio quality to mine and you will be more than amazed. Im just trying to spread some hope to all those like me who dont have much to work with.. we can get quality too.. just keep practicing and researching your craft.
Hints to Mastering.
The problem areas on these cheaper USB mics seems to be the mid-lows, the "muddyness", and peaks. A trick I use is too lower the 200 - 400 hz range on the EQ about 2 dbs on the vocal tracks and also put a high-shelf on the EQ raising the 8,000 - 15,000 hz range. If too much is added or taken away it could also kill your mix so use the EQ with a good ear. As for the peaks, there is a free compressor VST compatible with almost all DAW's (Digital Audio Workstation) called Modern Compressor. You can download this from a number of sites. It comes in a pack called "Modern VST Pack". I found it on google within two sites so it shouldnt be hard for you. In this compressor there is a limiter setting which works VERY well.. what I do is set my attack at the lowest so the compressor effects the signal of the peak instanly and set the release to about 150 so it doesnt end to sudden. Doing that lets the compressor be more transparent. Then I raise the threshold to about 19 and the ratio to somewhere around 4. Theres also a "knee" option (limit of output compressed signal) which I also raise up to about 3 - 5 depending on the need for it. Then you have your input signal option I raise about a third of the way to give more volume. Set my limiter within the compressor anywhere from a tad to all the way so you have to play with that setting. But basically this compressor is the best free one I have found. Try these 2 simple techniques and I guarentee a better mix to be sent for mastering.
Another tip would be the mastering suite I use, Izotope Ozone 5. When you have your final mix and you still dont think it sounds good enough or loud as the industry music out today, Izotope will indefinately help this. This mastering suite is by far the best Ive worked with. It has 2 internal EQ's, Dynamic Compression, Maximizer with high quality settings, Stereo Image Processor, and a Reverb setting. I know it all sounds confusing but honestly its really pretty simple. I dont have enough time on here to explain how to use this VST with each setting but I will say, if you want your mix louder? Use the Maximizer setting, set your output level to -0.1 so the output signal wont peak, because as any amateur should know -0.1 is the closest we can get to maximum sound without distortion (unless you recorded your vocals too high). Then lower the threshold anywhere from -1.0 db - -4.0 db. If you add to much, depending on the mix, it could take away the dynamic range of your final product. Another tip would be the EQ. I cannot stress enough that the EQ can solve MOST of the "at home shitty studio problems" Once again you want to focus on the high ends and the muddyness 200 hz range. Use this according to what your project sounds it needs. One last thing is just to watch how much compression your using as well becuase this will also kill the range of your frequencies in the final mix and will make your mix sound like its raising and lowering in volume every two seconds (caused by too much compression mixed with too much release)
I hope some of this can help some of you. Like I said if you want to hear what I can make out of this 150$ studio.. check the link below in my signature.. Thanks Have a good session!
Hints to Mastering.
The problem areas on these cheaper USB mics seems to be the mid-lows, the "muddyness", and peaks. A trick I use is too lower the 200 - 400 hz range on the EQ about 2 dbs on the vocal tracks and also put a high-shelf on the EQ raising the 8,000 - 15,000 hz range. If too much is added or taken away it could also kill your mix so use the EQ with a good ear. As for the peaks, there is a free compressor VST compatible with almost all DAW's (Digital Audio Workstation) called Modern Compressor. You can download this from a number of sites. It comes in a pack called "Modern VST Pack". I found it on google within two sites so it shouldnt be hard for you. In this compressor there is a limiter setting which works VERY well.. what I do is set my attack at the lowest so the compressor effects the signal of the peak instanly and set the release to about 150 so it doesnt end to sudden. Doing that lets the compressor be more transparent. Then I raise the threshold to about 19 and the ratio to somewhere around 4. Theres also a "knee" option (limit of output compressed signal) which I also raise up to about 3 - 5 depending on the need for it. Then you have your input signal option I raise about a third of the way to give more volume. Set my limiter within the compressor anywhere from a tad to all the way so you have to play with that setting. But basically this compressor is the best free one I have found. Try these 2 simple techniques and I guarentee a better mix to be sent for mastering.
Another tip would be the mastering suite I use, Izotope Ozone 5. When you have your final mix and you still dont think it sounds good enough or loud as the industry music out today, Izotope will indefinately help this. This mastering suite is by far the best Ive worked with. It has 2 internal EQ's, Dynamic Compression, Maximizer with high quality settings, Stereo Image Processor, and a Reverb setting. I know it all sounds confusing but honestly its really pretty simple. I dont have enough time on here to explain how to use this VST with each setting but I will say, if you want your mix louder? Use the Maximizer setting, set your output level to -0.1 so the output signal wont peak, because as any amateur should know -0.1 is the closest we can get to maximum sound without distortion (unless you recorded your vocals too high). Then lower the threshold anywhere from -1.0 db - -4.0 db. If you add to much, depending on the mix, it could take away the dynamic range of your final product. Another tip would be the EQ. I cannot stress enough that the EQ can solve MOST of the "at home shitty studio problems" Once again you want to focus on the high ends and the muddyness 200 hz range. Use this according to what your project sounds it needs. One last thing is just to watch how much compression your using as well becuase this will also kill the range of your frequencies in the final mix and will make your mix sound like its raising and lowering in volume every two seconds (caused by too much compression mixed with too much release)
I hope some of this can help some of you. Like I said if you want to hear what I can make out of this 150$ studio.. check the link below in my signature.. Thanks Have a good session!
