Distributing instrumentals - how much processing?

[mastac]

I create instrumentals track by track. I sell them out for people to put vocals on top of them. Here is my question: How much processing should I use before giving them out. Should it be completely unmastered in order for those putting vocals on top to be able to master it themselves after laying vocals down? Do you know what I'm saying?

It just occured to me that maybe I shouldn't put overall compression before they put vocal tracks on. Let me know what you think.

 

[A1A2]

as a general rule, one shouldn't compress the whole mix until it's in the mastering stage. So, without having the vocal in there, you are only working on the mixing stage, so, overall compressing is probably not a good idea.

However, you can still use compression on each track to get whatever dynamic/effect you desire tho.

Al

 

[mastac]

Thanks - another one

Thanks for the info. I know for sure now about that.

Now I have another related question. You know when you put music on vinyl for distribution to DJ's and what not, there is a full mix of the song, just the instrumental, and sometimes just the vocals. Now do I have to manually attempt to match the processing so they all sound the same, except without the other components of the song in? Or is there some easier way to maintain the same dynamics of the song?

Thanks again.

 

[A1A2]

I'm not sure if I understand your question completly. Are you trying to have one complete song on 2 seperate tracks, one being instrumental and one just the vocal? If that's the case, you probably want to mix them all together, making sure everything is in the right place, and then render them onto seperate tracks. That way, the Djs won't have to adjust the volume on the vocal when he is trying to focus on other stuff. That's my reasoning.

For your informaiton, automation is also a good tool for controlling dynamics.

good luck

Al

 

[mastac]

That's it

Yes, you understood my question right. Thanks a whole lot A1A2. I think I'm covered now - I don't know why I thought of that before!