Methods- Marginally Off Topic

[BrettMckinney]

Thanks Sluice..its definately something thats in demand here. And a reverb tute would be good too..as the same thing applies..most people add it, but dont play with it...and have no idea how to make it work for them.

 

[Kramer]

I'm going to try to combine a little EQ "tutorial" with my naked mix submission. I may even take it a step further and also provide some reverb details. I've got some really neat ideas about how to do that and I just need some time to work it out....

Looking forward to it!

 

[7string]

MASTERING
I master in Cool Edit Pro 1.1 with Waves and Steinberg plugins. Here are the steps:
1) Trim the lead in and set my fadeout envelope, if needed, “trim the fat”
2) Normalize to 95% max level
3) Zoom in and hand-envelope any harsh single transients down about 30% (this is actually hand compressing, I guess, it’s for signals of .001sec or less)
4) Run through Waves C4 multiband compressor to even off some stuff. Not a harsh application, a VERY gentle one.
5) Run through Waves 10 band paragraphic EQ to spot any weird variables in the master EQ curve
6) Run through Waves L1 Ultra Maxximizer (limiter), the Bit Final Master, Highest Resolution preset, but changing the threshold to a -1.0db engage, and a -0.3db rolloff, It’s running the edger on the lawn, giving everything a crispy, punchy, even finish.

And that’s it! Any questions? I’m sure I left a lot out in my haste to type this!

I applied this approach to an old mix that I had and got stuck around the C4 part and the 10 band paraQ. Can you elaborate a bit on these? I'd like you to be more specific on the 'very gentle' application of the C4. Do you use one of the presets and then modify it or do you have your own?

And on the paraQ - what's the 'master EQ curve?'

Thanks!

 

[chrisharris]

lol...good luck. This thread is almost 2 years old, and I haven't seen Llarion in probably that long.


However, I can say from my own experience that the "Basic Multi" preset of the C4 is a great starting point. On the last CD I did, I kinda' got lazy and ran everything through the C4 after mixdown with some modifications to the bottom 2 bands...basically, increasing the attack and release settings as well as the range (to as much as -12 db) to give it some more thump in the low end...with appropriate makeup gain, of course.

 

[7string]

lol...good luck. This thread is almost 2 years old, and I haven't seen Llarion in probably that long.


However, I can say from my own experience that the "Basic Multi" preset of the C4 is a great starting point. On the last CD I did, I kinda' got lazy and ran everything through the C4 after mixdown with some modifications to the bottom 2 bands...basically, increasing the attack and release settings as well as the range (to as much as -12 db) to give it some more thump in the low end...with appropriate makeup gain, of course.

Yeah I've been reading this thread all afternoon and about half-way through I lost track of the 'age' of it. And as soon as I posted the question I realized how old it was and thought, well, maybe SOMEone would respond. Glad you did!

I'm not real familiar with the C4 yet but I'm working on it. I don't use the presets because I'm lazy. I use them because of lack of knowledge. So I try to get myself in the ballpark and go from there. So when you say you increase the attack and release settings as well as the range are you talking about the attack and release on only the bottom 2 bands? Or the whole thing?

Man, that was a great thread!

 

[chrisharris]

Yeah, I was talking about the bottom 2 bands, but honestly, if you're not sure what you're doing, you can do more harm than good. One thing I can say for (almost) sure about the C4, if you stick with the "Basic Multi" preset, you won't do much damage, and you'll probably improve your mix 90% of the time. It's not going to drastically alter the dynamic range of your mix, but it will provide a kind of a gentle "mastering" curve...slight boost in the low and top ends, scooping the mix out just a bit. I have to say, your ears should ALWAYS be your guide...use the "preview" feature, etc. If you mix is in pretty good shape to begin with, then the multiband will just tighten it up a bit. If your mix has serious problems, no multiband compression will save it. Well, actually I saved one mix one time, lol...but for the amount of time it took me, I could have (and should have) re-recorded every track in the mix, lol.

 

[7string]

Yeah, I was talking about the bottom 2 bands, but honestly, if you're not sure what you're doing, you can do more harm than good. One thing I can say for (almost) sure about the C4, if you stick with the "Basic Multi" preset, you won't do much damage, and you'll probably improve your mix 90% of the time. It's not going to drastically alter the dynamic range of your mix, but it will provide a kind of a gentle "mastering" curve...slight boost in the low and top ends, scooping the mix out just a bit. I have to say, your ears should ALWAYS be your guide...use the "preview" feature, etc. If you mix is in pretty good shape to begin with, then the multiband will just tighten it up a bit. If your mix has serious problems, no multiband compression will save it. Well, actually I saved one mix one time, lol...but for the amount of time it took me, I could have (and should have) re-recorded every track in the mix, lol.

Thanks and yeah, I'm not sure what I'm doing so my question was mainly for something to putz with and see the differences. I'd never do anything destructive when I'm not sure what I'm doing. I just wanted an area to start. Thanks again!