DIY Mastering Clinic #2

[Crazy Drummer69]

Here's my attemp you guys, it's posted on my dmusic page: http://crazydrummer69.dmusic.com

I used Cubase SX3 for this job.
Panametric EQ
-2.7dB lowshelf @ 26Hz with a slope of 24
-2.7dB at 525Hz with a slope of 2
+2.3dB at 7kHz with a slope of .5
+1.0dB at 15kHz with a slope of .5

Loudness maximizer, exciter, various compressors and a tad bit of stereo imaging

 

[cakewalkr7]

Okay, first time trying this, but feel free to critique and let me know what needs changed.

 

[Fishmed]

Here's my attemp you guys, it's posted on my dmusic page: http://crazydrummer69.dmusic.com

I used Cubase SX3 for this job.
Panametric EQ
-2.7dB lowshelf @ 26Hz with a slope of 24
-2.7dB at 525Hz with a slope of 2
+2.3dB at 7kHz with a slope of .5
+1.0dB at 15kHz with a slope of .5

Loudness maximizer, exciter, various compressors and a tad bit of stereo imaging

Excessive highs - I would try to master without the exciter. I did the same thing when I was experimenting with plug-ins and I also got way too much high ends.

 

[Fishmed]

Okay, first time trying this, but feel free to critique and let me know what needs changed.

GREAT JOB! I would not change a thing.

 

[cakewalkr7]

GREAT JOB! I would not change a thing.

Well that's nice to hear Thanks!

 

[jndietz]

First of all, great forum and really cool thread too!
Couldn't let this one pass me by without taking a shot at it myself.
This is my first mastering attempt .. for what's it worth...

So here's what I TRIED to fix (based on what I like to hear in metal songs):
- the snare and the bass guitar where kinda burried under
- give the kickdrum a bit more *thump*
- make the whole thing louder whithout messing up the rest.
- pumped the-'pumpit up a notch'-parts up a notch, the ones where he screams @ 820/1020Hz for a while. Duplicated the track with all freqs cut but these, volume automation so only those parts would be sent to a bus with delay+reverb inserted.
- desperately tried to bring the vox more to front (in vain)

So let me know what you think... Really liked jndietz's second attempt, what did you exactly for the vocals? Sound much more upfront than mine.

(Lightningmp3 doesn't seem to work for me (for now at least) so I used ultrashare) So here it is:
http://ultrashare.net/hosting/fl/31b1232024/

regards

I used a multiband compressor in Audtion and moved the different bands around until I reached a great vocal sound while still maintaining good sound on the rest of the mix. Also moved the graphic EQ around.

 

[jndietz]

Yep, the bass track pretty well sucked, but the bass player quit in the middle of the project, so the singer/guitar player laid the tracks. He did OK for never really playing bass, but not nearly the same. BTW - the old bass player kicked ass too......

edit - Just wanted to add - I will listen to the masters as soon as my CR is back up - should be just a few more days.......

Could you let me know how you and the band liked my two attempts?

 

[punkin]

Hey...this was/is a great thread...someone put up another full band mix and lets do it again!

 

[NL5]

Could you let me know how you and the band liked my two attempts?

Sorry, I have beeen down for awhile rebuilding my control room (see the studio construction section).

I am listening now -

Not too bad actually, but way too compressed - I cant get past the compressor pumping. Maybe tame that back a ways, and let me hear it - it sounds like it's on the guitar tracks only??

Hey...this was/is a great thread...someone put up another full band mix and lets do it again!

I think mshilarious has other stuff lined up, if not, I have a pop tune in the hopper that was professionally mastered that I could put up (and compare to the pro version after everyone was done).

Lets see if MS pops up.......

 

[jndietz]

Yeah, I'm not the greatest at mastering--maybe I should leave that one to the pros

 

[Ironklad Audio]

i might throw a track or 2 up here in a few weeks...we'll see if the people i'm slated to record pretty soon actually come through

the one thing i can't stand about working with musicians is the fact that, well, they're musicians...and most i know tend to be broke/forgetful stoners