Mastering Help!!!

[rescord]

I have recorded in Pro Tools at 16bits. Bounced my files to 24bit SDII. Went to a proffessional Mastering facility. Mastered there on Pro Tools by an experienced engineer. Dithered back down to 16bits using Waves L1. Then I decided to make some EQ changes to that Master, and I want to do it myself on my Pro Tools Rig.
Now I know all the rules about not mastering yourself, and always master in a different environment/speakers than you recorded in, but I can't shell out the 90 bucks an hour to fine tune anymore. Also I like the trial and error process to doing it myself, burn a CD, listen, go back and make changes, ect...
So here are my questions...

1. Should I extract the audio from the mastered CD at 24bits to bring into a 24bit Pro Tools Session?

2. If I extract from the CD at 16Bits (Toast Audio Extractor), should I convert and import into Pro Tools at 24Bits?

3. If I remain at 16bits for the session, do I need to dither again with the L1 as I am using it to limit? (I will be using the Renessaince EQ which processes at 48bits.)

4. After staying at 16bits and dithering with the L1, I am noticing a 'harshness' to the sound. Any suggestions aside from EQ that might solve this issue?

5. If I have enough volume on the CD can I just keep the L1 at 0 and 0, for the treshhold and limit, or should I give a little room to the threshold, and drop it to -.3?

6. Would using a different dithering algorythm help with the harshness since the L1 has already been used? Suggestions?

7. Do the arguments for 2x for CD burning still apply (the articles referenced are a little dated), or have the rules changed? I have a SCSI 8x capable burner.

Just a little background. I am an experienced engineer/producer that has worked in several commercial facilities. This is the first time I am dealing with mastering issues, but I have learned a great deal from watching the process at the mastering facility. I also know my speakers extremely well (Genelecs), and how they translate. I just lack a bit of knowledge about this final stage. I know how to get the project to sound 'right' out of the monitors, it's just translating differently somewhere in the bounce.

 

[sjoko2]

First of all - if you recorded in PTools and it was mastered in PTools as well - but you are not happy with the results, why not go back to the original and work with that?

- Wherever possible do your processing at a higher bitrate. So for your first question, if you want to work from a CD pre-master, yes, import your file preferably at 24/48.

- For your second question, you don't have to go to that length. Why not just play a CD player, go out digital (AES, optical or S/PDIF) into your PTools I/O and just record that at 24/48 - as simple as that.

- Your third question - No. Your Ren uses INTERNAL 48 bit processing. This has nothing to do with your audio file's bitrate.
(check your Pro tools manual - you will find your system also uses a different bitrate).

- Likely caused by jitter. Use a quality external sync clock, like for instance a Lucid GEN6.

- Use accurate metering within your pro tools session, or evaluate the files to check for overs first of all. SpectraFoo makes the best TDM metering system. Next make sure your entire system is calibrated correctly. If all is good, you should be able to keep everything at odB.

- For question 6. No.

- Question 7 - yes. Burn at 1 or 2 x