how do I get that "sheen, glossy, polished, commercial release" cd sound?

  • Thread starter Thread starter bigwillz24
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bigwillz24

bigwillz24

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:confused:





I've tried boosting the high end, I've tried compressing the mix, I've tried reverb quality euqipment and I'm still not getting it. I heard one of my instructers get it in class once during the mixing process so I don't think it has to do with mastering to get the sound. In fact the tracks where not recorded very well and he still got it. When I asked how he said most of the stuff I've tried before. So I'm asking you guys/gals just how do you get that sound?
 
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It takes experience. Give the same recipe and ingredients to a master chef and a novice cook and the master chefs version will taste better every time. That said there's freaky talents out there that have natural ability too. Most of us have to work at it for awhile.

Ok ok... good room, good speakers, good ears??
 
The room I heard it done in is nothing to right home about. Tannoy monitors are good but not the greatest. Good ears yeah I gotta give it to the instructer he's got good ears.
 
bigwillz24 said:
:confused:





I've tried boosting the high end, I've tried compressing the mix, I've tried reverb quality euqipment and I'm still not getting it. I heard one of my instructers get it in class once during the mixing process so I don't think it has to do with mastering to get the sound. In fact the tracks where not recorded very well and he still got it. When I asked how he said most of the stuff I've tried before. So I'm asking you guys/gals just how do you get that sound?
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Have you tried turtle wax?
 
One thing I noticed that helps though, is reverb. A nice sounding reverb plugin can really add a lot of smoothness and 'sheeness' to less-than-stellar track. I've noticed a lot of my recent mixes and recordings have this 'grainy' kind of sound, not sure what it is...maybe the mic, pre, A/D, untreated room, who knows.

But a nice reverb with short decay and good wet/dry ratio really smooths it out and gives it a much more professional sound.

I'm sure this is probably something you knew already but it really does help.
 
danny.guitar said:
One thing I noticed that helps though, is reverb. A nice sounding reverb plugin can really add a lot of smoothness and 'sheeness' to less-than-stellar track. I've noticed a lot of my recent mixes and recordings have this 'grainy' kind of sound, not sure what it is...maybe the mic, pre, A/D, untreated room, who knows.

But a nice reverb with short decay and good wet/dry ratio really smooths it out and gives it a much more professional sound.

I'm sure this is probably something you knew already but it really does help.
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VERY TRUE.... Not that I'm mak'in booty mixes over here, but a little reverb in your mastering chain can go a long way. At first, I thought "reverb over the whole mix??", but after a little experimentation, it makes the overall mix wider and cleaner. If you have a plugin that allows you to use high and low pass filters (Waves Renaissance), that makes things even better to avoid the muddy bottom end. Try it out......
 
"How do I get that "sheen, glossy, polished, commercial release" cd sound?"
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It sounds like Walters is guy to go to for that.

G.
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
It sounds like Walters is guy to go to for that.

G.
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Nah. I fear that if you asked his advice, you'd get something that sounds too creamy, much like cappucino. Rather than sounding like a freshly polished pair of shoes, or a clean slab of marble, which I believe is more the sound bigwillz is shooting for. I may be wrong though.

Me personally, I'm hoping to finish with my next batch of tunes sounding like a packet of crisps playing football with a pint of full fat milk. Kinda creamy, yet crunchy sorta thing. Maybe I'll stick some seasoning in too. I think it's gonna be good :)
 
SouthSIDE Glen said:
It sounds like Walters is guy to go to for that.

G.
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nah honestly i can't think of any other way to describe it. It's sounds like the whole mix is surounded by a shiny piece of glass that just makes everything sparkle. I hear it on Nora Jones albums alot.
 
But why do you want that type of gloss/dross?
I can understand a desire for the levels & clarity but gloss?
I don't listen to much from the gloss house so don't get the attraction.
But I assume if you're aiming to do commmercial work for people who want that radio friendly "sound" it's a tool to have.
 
Damn I must of asked the question no one knows or wants to answer.
 
...

after doing this for many years on analog and digital equipment, I have found the answer to be (drum roll please)....

drums still going....

pressure building...

wait for it...

Doing the best you can with whatever gear you have, then say "bye bye" to your mix and have a pro mastering business master it. They've got equipment that is worth more than your house and ears of gold usually. You still get the satisfaction of playing mr. engineer, but let's face it, you can't be mr. engineer and mr. masterer. that's too much to ask. some people wanna be mr. microphone, mr. potato head, mr. roboto, mr. engineer, AND mr. masterer. they crazy!
 
chessrock said:
Alright, alright. I told your instructer I wouldn't spill the beans ... but I just can't take watching you suffer any longer.

Here: http://www.rane.com/pi14.html

.
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And the physical construction is exquisite. Utilizing another Rane first, the all-concrete chassis and front panel, the PI 14 displays unequalled vibrational stability. And with the optional aggregate front panel the Pseudoacoustic Infector is a wonder to fondle.


hahah where did you find this..... this is the best shit i've read in a while.. made me smile :D
 
eeb said:
And the physical construction is exquisite. Utilizing another Rane first, the all-concrete chassis and front panel, the PI 14 displays unequalled vibrational stability. And with the optional aggregate front panel the Pseudoacoustic Infector is a wonder to fondle.


hahah where did you find this..... this is the best shit i've read in a while.. made me smile :D
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If ya don't know the answer or can't tell em the truth... dazzle em with bullshit. :rolleyes: :D
 
It's true..


although it would sometimes be cool to have a "fix everything" plugin or gear then why would anyone need an engineer? haha


The only advice that I can say is super sound is to keep trying.. read all you can.. experience is the only way you'll get from amateur to pro as I see it.. I'm with you.. I wish there were a few simple tricks to make my recordings alot better.. but i know people who have much more modest equipment than me but can make better recordings.. because they have more experience and know their equipment inside out. I'm not there yet.. but hopefully on my way.. record as much as you can..
 
To get a pro sheeny shiny glossy polished sound, there is no quick and easy method.
You need to start at the source and work your way to the end of the signal chain, ensuring that every step of the way is done to perfection.

It takes years of practice and trial and error. The most important thing is knowing when something sounds good and when it doesn't sound so good.
Practice practice practice then some more.......

Eck
 
bigwillz24 said:
I heard one of my instructers get it in class once during the mixing process so I don't think it has to do with mastering to get the sound. In fact the tracks where not recorded very well and he still got it.
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I know this may seem like an obvious question ...

... but if he's your instructor and all, why don't you ask him?

If he's not telling you, then what is he getting paid to do?

If he is telling you, then why aren't you listening?

.
 
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