The Mastering Process applied to unwanted noise!

[minushalo]

Recently was asked by a band to help out with there new CD;

I used to think the mix down is very good, “semi-pro” at least. and until I noticed the buzzing I would have been satisfied (at first) with the results – I was happy to hear a talented band get some talented people involved (in a time when most good talent will never be fortunate to even get a recording that could pass for true “demo” quality)

So when they asked me to “MASTER” the CD, explained they should not flake on this part of the process because of its importance overall.

But what bugs me is the bass player notices an instrument buzz. $*%&#~! Upon further inspection, I notice it throughout the entire CD and even when distorted guitars cover it up. I don’t believe that I didn’t hear it immediately, even though I the unreliable ear

Question: A possible instrument buzz noticeable on the one track, but I can hear it most the way through the album from start to Finnish, except were covered up in the background when guitars use distortion and the quite between tracks, but this is a fairly clean blues album, or I would just distort more and call it metal (kidding)

I have Pro Tools LE, I have some other rack mount stuff (2 channel graphic EQ’s, Sonic Maximizer, a processor or reverb unit, nothing I would call crappy) I understand the concepts of phase cancellation, compression, and EQ. As well as the possible tone generation/expansion gate mixtures that have been used for adding desirable noise, as well as removing the undesirable, but I don’t really know where to begin, and am currently just taking stabs at EQ and compressor settings, and have come up with very little as far as acceptable results –I cannot go back in time and replace the faulty cable!!

I appreciate any advice, but want to know about the mastering process the most - due to the limitations of time, availability and money etc.L

 

[ryanlikestorock]

The best thing to do would be to re-track the bass. That would probably be your only real "fix" to the problem. Otherwise, try to find the frequency and cut it out... or, just tell the band that they have to deal with it. If it's there, it's not the job of the mastering engineer to remove it, really. Your job is to make what they give you sound better. If they give you buzz, they give you buzz.

 

[masteringhouse]

As Ryan mentioned, best not to have it, but if the bass track can't be re-recorded you may want to look into trying some noise reduction plugins on the bass track so as to not affect the remaining mix and re-mix. Worse case applying noise reduction to the entire mix, but automating it so that it's only used where needed.

I've had very good success using the Waves Restoration plugs for this.