Mastering, compressing which frequencies?

[Mountainmirrors]

Greetings-
I'm going to use T-Racks to master my next project. However I won't use their compressor. Just trying to find out a few suggestions on which frequencies to compress (in Cool Edit) and what comp. ratio is recommended. Say, using Led Zep 2 or another classic rock record as a guideline.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

There is only 1 correct answer...

...IT DEPENDS.

How long is a piece of string?

 

[chessrock]

Say, using Led Zep 2 or another classic rock record as a guideline.

I think I had a "Led Zep II" preset somewhere, but I'm afraid I lost it.

I might have a "Houses of the Holy" one lying around somewhere I'll sell to you for $50.

(btw, my Yes Fragile preset is NOT for sale)

 

[littledog]

What our witty friends are telling you, Mountain, is that you are asking a question analagous to:

"What measurements should I use for a custom-made suit?"

The answer of course, will be unique to every individual body, and can't possibly be answered "in general".

There may be one or two VERY vague and general things you can say about mastering that would be universal (for instance: try doing a steep roll-off at 40hz to get rid of unwanted sub-sonics), but beyond that it's impossible.

It's kind of like calling your doctor and saying: "Just in case i don't feel good someday, what medicine should I take?"

No one can answer how to master a song without hearing the song.