appropriate release

  • Thread starter Thread starter FALKEN
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FALKEN

FALKEN

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what is an appropriate release time on a limiter when limiting a full mix? to cover the details, assume rock or grunge, and 6 db of GR maximum. would this vary by tempo?
 
I aint ever got a limiter to work for a full mix by setting the release time. I tried and always failed.
I was using the Yamaha O2R96 inbuilt limiter though, dont know if its any good.

I just use the L2 limiter now. If you can get one that has ARC: Automatic Release Control that will be easier because some songs might not work with one release time setting.
 
6dB?!? Isn't there something at the track level that you could hit a little bit to reduce that to something a little more reasonable?

But yeah, the release time will coincide with several different parameters... If it has an auto release, start there. Or start too long and go down until you don't really notice it anymore.
 
Massive Master said:
6dB?!? Isn't there something at the track level that you could hit a little bit to reduce that to something a little more reasonable?

But yeah, the release time will coincide with several different parameters... If it has an auto release, start there. Or start too long and go down until you don't really notice it anymore.
Click to expand...

unfortunately, no, there's nothing I can do at this point. it was tracked to tape, and mixed to pc, and now I am trying to bring up the volume. that 6 db is like the highest peak that will be squashed, and thats not even a definite number, I just threw it out there. most peaks are like 2-3 db, every so often.

anywayz if I had an auto release I wouldn't be asking this question. I actually did what you said here and ended up at 70 ms. I am now listening on different systems and questioning that...such a quick release. I just want to avoid having to do this more times than its worth....many home recordists end up having to re-mix or re-master their project so many times they blow a fuse. I've already blown too many - I just want to get it done.
 
Naturally it has to be said 'it depends', but if you're going for the volume/up in your face thing as the primary goal, you might want it to get in and out fairly quickly. 70 is a bit in the quick end of things for a full mix, but I'd suspect that by L2-auto standards it's not all that quick. That end of the scale may or may not be the best sounding setup but if it does the trick.. :D
Curious what limiter is it? Brickwall or are you letting some of the front ends poke through?
Wayne
 
brickwall. I actually just went back and listened to some older mixes that I did and damn this one is loud. its actually my best work ever. I'm just never happy I guess. sometimes its crystal clear (like when I was working on it) and other times it sounds blurry to my ears.
 
Limiting at mastering can really kill a mix. Ive heard very faint flutters like a tremelo effect or is it a vibrato, i can never remember which is which.
Ive heard sound degridation and muddyness. The blurry sound you are saying about could be from too much limiting so that the mix is less clear and has been subject to sound degredation and maybe even muddyness.
Or it could be your ears slowly dying from too much listening!!
 
FALKEN said:
... sometimes its crystal clear (like when I was working on it) and other times it sounds blurry to my ears.
Click to expand...
I'm with you on that. Someone called it 'micro days'. Some times it's 'what the hell happened to the groove!? It seems fine one day, stupid bad others.

Just for fyi, what's the brickwall limiter with adjustable release? L2 hardware?
Wayne
 
ecktronic said:
Limiting at mastering can really kill a mix. Ive heard very faint flutters like a tremelo effect or is it a vibrato, i can never remember which is which.
Ive heard sound degridation and muddyness. The blurry sound you are saying about could be from too much limiting so that the mix is less clear and has been subject to sound degredation and maybe even muddyness.
Or it could be your ears slowly dying from too much listening!!
Click to expand...

so what do you suggest? I want to give it one more pass and only one more pass. amazingly, it sounded better in the car today. who the heck knows but it probably doesn't need to be at -11 RMS. I'm thinkin of dropping it a couple dbs.
 
Yeah, unless I am nearing the end of a deadline and have no other choice, on jobes where I am mixing and mastering I almost always try and take a looong break between the mixing and mastering phase; at least an hour, and overnight if possible. Going into the master with fresh ears is a huge benefit for me. Often I'll sit down at my desk in the morning and play back yesterday's mix and instantly have a five minute solution for a sonic rough spot that I just could not get happy with the day before even after wrestling with the mix for way too long. Then I make that fix and jump right into the master before my ears get any dirtier.

As far as your song, please tell me that the -11RMS reading was after the limiter and that you're not asking about applying yet more limiting to it? ;)

G.
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
As far as your song, please tell me that the -11RMS reading was after the limiter and that you're not asking about applying yet more limiting to it? ;)
Click to expand...

yes. after.
 
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Yeah the best thing is a break. The more you get anoyed and wound up, the more clouded your judgement will be.
I went mad when i first started mastering as i kept having problems with stuff. i dont even want to go into it.. ahhhh :eek:
 
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