need mastering

  • Thread starter Thread starter INDUSTRIAL88
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MASSIVE MASTERING> There is stereo enhancement during the mastering stage, but this is a different thing than panning.

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Speaking of "stereo enhancement"....

I am trying to remaster a mix that somebody gave me that they screwed up... I don't have access to the tracks... he wont give them to me; he's afraid I'll make too many changes because I told him there were multiple things wrong...

Anyway.. the stereo imaging is lousy... I've never really tried to fix somebody elses bad stereo imaging. Other than using software (I want to do this manually with hardware for experience)... how does one go about "enhancing" the stereo image? Seems like a complicated task that would have to be done by some type of automatic signal processor? Best I can figure, I'd need to break this into MANY frequency bands... decide which ones (which instruments) need emphasis... and then somehow add a boost on a particular band to either the left or right channel..) Seems like it would be more complicated than that though.... because you wouldn't want to keep boosting a certain band or instrument to the same channel.... I don't know...

If anyone can give me some tips on "enhancing" the stereo imaging via hardware alone... without using special "black boxes" meant for that purpose lemme know.... or for that matter.... exactly how do those "black boxes" work, like the following product (although I'm not sure this is specifically meant for stereo enhancement, there is probably other more applicable products):

http://www.digido.com/portal/pmodule_id=11/pmdmode=fullscreen/pageadder_page_id=48
 
Re: Re: Re: Re: My master is Bob Katz

distortedrumble said:
so when I'm told to pan the guitars hard left and right for the stereo effect....its not worth much if it will be done in mastering though? or is there something else?
Click to expand...

By all means you should do this during mixing. Stereo enhancement should only be used when a mix does not isolate the elements well and is a band-aid for this type of problem.

As with all processing, it's better that it not be used if one can help it. Stereo enhancement should not be used as a matter of course in mastering, only when it's absolutely needed.

Most stereo enhancement algorithms that I've seen work through MS processing (Mono/Stereo). They essentially work by adding an out of phase signal to substract elements of the left and right channel. It's similar to a vocal eliminator.

You can try this as a crude experiment via hardware (or a DAW) by mixing the left and right channels to a single mono channel. Reverse the polarity of this combined mono track, and then gradually mix it in to the overall L/R mix. You should hear the mix "spread" out. If too much is mixed in, the overall sound will become weak and thin (which is why I try not to use it except in extreme conditions). Also try mixing varying amounts of the left and right channel into the mono track to see it's effect.

I believe Bob K's K-Stereo unit works differently than the above. It is suppposed to extract ambience from mixes allowing an ME to control that aspect of a mix, but I'm not sure that I would put it in the same category as an MS processor or stereo enhancer. Since there's a patent pending on the unit, Bob is pretty tight-lipped about it's algorithm for good reason.

-- Tom
 
Sorry, left out a key phrase

About effects , I left out this phrase

"...in the vocals" ooops, sorry

Bob likes to discuss that in detail (he will listen to professional cuts you like) and go in that direction.
 
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