DIY Mastering Clinic #2

  • Thread starter Thread starter mshilarious
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mshilarious

mshilarious

Banned
Here it is, boys and girls, DIYMC #2!!!!

First let me explain the objectives of the Clinic, then I will set down the rules:

Objectives:

The objective is to give home recorders insight into the mastering process as well as some basic analysis and techniques for improving final mixes via stereo bus processing.

The emphasis will not be on LOUDNESS! Mixes will almost certainly get louder, but we hope to gain an understanding of not only how loud a mix can be, but how loud it should be.

Finally and most importantly, we'll learn what should really be corrected in tracking and mixing and not left for mastering.


Am I going to teach all of this? I hope not! As your host, I will be commenting and encouraging frequently, but the Clinic is open to everyone who wants to post a master, and everyone who wants to comment.


Rules:

This is not a contest; it is not judged, there is no winner, there are no prizes. As it is not a contest, please don't feel there are any secrets--post your master, describe your objectives, describe your process and how successful you feel you were.

I will be posting finished mixes that I have solicited and received from well-known members of Homerec. These members aren't looking for free mastering!!!

I am not a moderator, and generally speaking, there aren't many moderators around here anyway but I will ask that any commercial activity be kept to PMs and off the Clinic thread. As host, I will personally not solicit or accept any such business. Everyone else is free to do whatever they like.


The Track

This is a metal tune, courtesy of our longtime .mp3 hoster, NL5. Props to NL5 for providing all of HomeRec with free hosting!

NL5 has a finished version of this tune that sounds tight, but I asked him to strip off all his master bus processing, so it's pretty naked here. This is a very dynamic, open mix, it needs some love and affection, but the raw meat is there to make a killer master.

I expect people might get a little crazy with volume, and this time that's OK!!! Let's have some fun, but let's get loud AND punchy.

I will reserve further comments for our "client", NL5.

Here is the .wav (23M):

http://www.lightningmp3.com/upload/boutagirl.wav


And for dial-up folks, the 320K .mp3 (5M):

http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=3353
 
My first stab. Girl

I didn't do very much to this one. Applied a small amount of eq to bring out what I like to hear in it, and ran a multiband on it, without much happening, just to make sure I didn't mess it up too much. I think it was all set at -6, High ratio, fairly fast attack, and medium release.
 
I took a stab at it but I'm not sure where to post it? :o
 
punkin said:
I took a stab at it but I'm not sure where to post it? :o
Click to expand...
You could use NL5's site...lightning mp3, or Soundclick, or Nowhere Radio. NL's is the easiest probably.
 
Garik said:
:eek:
talking about compression :p
Click to expand...

Too much ya think? I got a little carried away. I really struggled with the ummm...dynamics of the tune. Not to mention the somber message it was delivering :D . It just seemed appropriate for it to be turned up a notch.

I've tried to contain myself this time...here's another go http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=3371
 
Last edited:
awww...c'mon...someone tell me what ya think of my last upload...be honest. Like I said before. I don't usually even attempt to this. I'd like to hear your opinion.
 
punkin said:
awww...c'mon...someone tell me what ya think of my last upload...be honest. Like I said before. I don't usually even attempt to this. I'd like to hear your opinion.
Click to expand...

Well Punkin. Let's just say that you might not want to quit that day job just yet. :D

.
 
Thanks...I was just running a spell check on my letter of resignation. I'll hold off until tomorrow.

Still too much compression ya think?
 
Dogman said:
Works now...Nice and punchy man. What all did you use, and do? This sounds pretty good.
Click to expand...

a little compression --some EQ-- stereo expander --the usual suspects --I used a program called Magix 2005 --it has some nice plug-ins
 
http://www.lightningmp3.com/live/file.php?fid=3405

convert to 24-bit, cut volume -3db since it was already peaking, then added a bit of eq (slow curve 0.5db 8khz to 2db 20khz, cut 1db @ ~260hz q:0.5, low cut around 40 @ 18db/oct, and 2db q:1 boost around 75hz - sony sf 7) and gentle upwards compression 2.5:1, thres -15db, attack 5ms, knee 5db on a sonalkis ev-315)

then decided that it was missing some evil backwards speaking demon sounds so i added some reverse studio wall reverb (voxengo perfectspace) @ 180% wide low pass at 7khz and high pass 220hz... probably too much but it sounds really cool very loud...

my ears are kinda shot from mowing lawn... :-)
 
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