EddieRay said:
If you don't know, it's okay to say so.
I know some of the basic approaches, the process in general, and some of their techniques. But to say I "know what ME's do" would be like saying I know how chefs make their dishes taste good. Well, each one does it a little differently than the next guy ... I know they use ovens, frying pans, pots, etc. and they generally work in a kitchen.
But honestly, a blanket question like "how do cooks get their food to taste good?" is just kind of an ignorant question. And it shows a complete lack of appreciation (respect?) for their art ... and their years of developing and honing skills to assume that someone could post the answer to that question in a few paragraphs on a message board.
But if you must know, it's generally a combination of EQ, compression, multiband compression and parallel compression. Sometimes they work with harmonics and overall dynamics sculpting. It's kind of like an art. And I know they generally do it in a critical, fine-tuned, controlled listening environment using monitoring equipment and room structures that are designed to present the sounds in a highly accurate, linear fashion with minimal coloration from the environment or equipment.
... Something Joe home recorder
doesn't have access to in his basement / garage / bedroom setup, by the way.
