Massive Master
www.massivemastering.com
Attack and release -- There are a lot of people who "default" to "ASAFP" on A&R settings. Try that with a snare some time -- It sounds - weird I guess is the word. Sometimes, it actually works for the song. But "visually" you'll notice that the waveform only goes one way (which is the visual representation of the weird sound). And it's one of those particular things that don't do well at all when the mix is dynamically altered - It (the snare) could be "odd" but otherwise totally clear in the unaltered mix. But once you start reducing the dynamic range, it can almost completely vanish with only a few dB of gain reduction.What is "A & R"?
M
mixsit
Well-known member
Ok what's ASAFP..
Massive Master
www.massivemastering.com
As Soon As F**kin' Possible.
RawDepth
New member
Yeah, I am very careful with A&R. I've learned early on that compression can deflate a snare really fast if you are too aggressive with attack. A lot of mid to high frequency content resides within the initial transient peaks giving the drum its crack. Chopping them down too soon can remove that crack, making the drum sound dull or dead. I am learning that it can have adverse affects on everything in similar ways. ...which is basically what I was referring to in my original post. Depending on A&R settings, squashing can change the EQ landscape.
Furthermore, if I continue to go back and tweak the mix to accommodate the limiter, am I not subtracting from the "contrast" of the mix as well? What I mean is, I don't want every instrument to end up being the same volume. Taking this step too far can pull all of the instruments to the same plane.
I suppose I must follow the rules; everything in moderation...and use your damn ears.
Furthermore, if I continue to go back and tweak the mix to accommodate the limiter, am I not subtracting from the "contrast" of the mix as well? What I mean is, I don't want every instrument to end up being the same volume. Taking this step too far can pull all of the instruments to the same plane.
I suppose I must follow the rules; everything in moderation...and use your damn ears.
TASCAM MAN
New member
RogerL.
New member
I have a rookie question, I've been producing a CD of songs that I was planning on taking to a local studio to be mastered. Here's my question, A friend has mixed the different songs down to tracks, say music background, lead work harmony vocals and lead vocal. We want to take the songs to the mastering person, do we mix the tracks together to form the final songs or do we ship him the songs comprised of the different tracks so he can tweak them? I know this is rookie stuff but this is my first time any and all help would be appreciated. thanks in advance, Roger roger812@hotmail.com
Massive Master
www.massivemastering.com
Generally speaking, the mastering engineer is working from completed, stereo mixes.
Not that we can't or don't work from stems (stereo "sections" of mixes - perhaps a drum stem, vocal stem, guitar stem, etc.), but (A) if you find yourself "not able to commit" to a mix, you're probably in a situation where you should figure out why - and (B) expect mastering from stems to run up the bill considerably in some cases.
Not that we can't or don't work from stems (stereo "sections" of mixes - perhaps a drum stem, vocal stem, guitar stem, etc.), but (A) if you find yourself "not able to commit" to a mix, you're probably in a situation where you should figure out why - and (B) expect mastering from stems to run up the bill considerably in some cases.
mixgeneral
New member
Like Massive Master already pointed out, its not unusual for mastering engineer to work with stems so it will be summed on probably better equipment that you have at your place with better monitors and so on, however you will be expected to give some kind of examples of styles or vibe you are going for as well. Usually if we do work with stems we also get a somewhat finished mix just to have an idea are do you want your vocals and lead instruments up front or not.
RogerL.
New member
Thanks, that makes sense, just had no idea of the sequence of things as they are normally done
TASCAM MAN
New member
You mean as they "were" normally done LoL !! I say that sort of sarcasticly, but from what I see and read around here (and living in this generation) mastering has put a kinda "fear" in people thinking that they cant even do a good mix that sounds great without the help of a mastering facility!! If you are putting an LP(long play recording) together the ordering of songs,the consistency of EQ/VOLUMN(possibly compression if the mastering engineer knows what he's doing) from song to song,the way it flows together etc. etc. is most important.It seems that even some of the older "recordist" here doesnt even know are mention that compressing (are taming levels) in the beginning stage (tracking) is more important than letting someone touch it after the final MIX is done.The point Id really like to make is this: If you are a home recordist and like and strive making your own recordings,just mix it as many times as you like until its where it sounds good to you!! And far as compressors go...Ive done great recordings without it, that could fly on the radio right now so.....Ive heard more home recordings (and some so-called professional) that BUTCHERD there songs by it !! The whole problem is this: Dynamics in music.....lost ART !! The whole idea od digital (CD introduction) was the dynamic range that we could take advantage of and now.....everybody overcompresses and sqeezez the life out of the music....ok Im off to my 3rd cup of coffee
Lt. Bob
Spread the Daf!
I actually almost never use compression for anything at all.
I hate it ..... so I don't use it.
My recordings sound just fine.
I hate it ..... so I don't use it.
My recordings sound just fine.
J
jonny deep
Disappointing Member
Ah, but that's because you're a better player than most of us, Bob!
Lt. Bob
Spread the Daf!
well, we'd have to all get in a room together to determine that but as for compression ....... I don't like what it does to attacks on guitar and/or bass ..... as for vox ...... I just watch the meters and keep my volume levels under control ...... if I screw up and jump into the red I do it over.
Every once in a long while I might use some compression on mixdown if I simply can't get a track under control any other way but even then I prefer to just ride the fader instead of sticking a comp in the chain.
Personal preference of course and perhaps if I had a top-line comp I might feel differently about it.
J
jonny deep
Disappointing Member
I don't use it on guitar, but it's really useful on my bad bass playing.
Lt. Bob
Spread the Daf!
I can see that ...... if you have a hard time getting a consistant volume outta the bass strings then some notes will really jump out at you.
G
Greg_L
Banned
I sometimes compress the ever loving bujeezus out of my bass tracks.
Seafroggys
Well-known member
I tend to slam an LA-2A plug on my bass tracks, but they have slow attack so it doesn't effect the, well, attack much. Heh.
Lt. Bob
Spread the Daf!
I just play the notes at a consistent volume but hey, in fairness I actually am a bass player as opposed to a guitarist playing some bass parts.
I do remember in the early days it was a bitch getting a constant volume level outta the damned thing.
I do remember in the early days it was a bitch getting a constant volume level outta the damned thing.