What processing, in what order?

  • Thread starter Thread starter mikeh
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mikeh

New member
When I mixdown to two track (to CD or cassette) I run the following processing:

1)EQ - To tame given frequencies, if needed
2)Compression/Gate - As needed to control signal
3)BBE Sonic Maximizer - For a final "spark"

Does anyone have thoughts on a different routing? I know some people don't believe in the BBE's but I think they do add life to a mix (or individual sounds) - if used with due restraint.
 
Wekk, I've often seen such a question posted often enough (me, too), but never seen one reply to it... Wonder why it is not a talkable subject...

When I process/master in the very last stage I do the following
1. FreeFilter
2. Steinberg's Mastering Edition Multiband Compressor (50% of the times) or Steinbergs Loudness Maximizer
3. Spectralizer to add the sparkle and "air"

But even before I start compressing/limiting manually the highest peaks that can be found with Wavelab...

Greetings,

Hans
 
First piss off the sonic maximizer! then EQ and finally Compressor.
cheers
john
 
In addition, don't route thru any processor that is not being used (bypass doesn't cut it). If the EQ is not needed, take it out of the chain COMPLETELY, same with any of the others. You want to minimize the signal path as much as possible - every piece you stick in between the mixer and the final mixdown machine is a haven for added noise and distortion.

(And the BYPASS switch is not good enough because many times, that simply turns off the effect, rather than cutting the processor's signal path out of the route completely and the minute you introduce another gain stage, you have just added noise to your signal.)

Bruce
Blue Bear Sound
 
What Bruce said!!

THe other day I A/B tested some of my gear just out of curiosity. I recorded vocals with a direct signal to my sound card, and then vocals through a compressor and an EQ both in "bypass" mode. Holy crap! They both sucked all the "air" right out of the signal, and I vowed never to use them again!
Make the signal path as short as possible! That Maximizer could very well just be compensating for what you lost by sticking it in there in the first place.
Just my $.02.

Aaron
http://www.aaroncheney.com
 
Re: What Bruce said!!

Aaron Cheney said:
... That Maximizer could very well just be compensating for what you lost by sticking it in there in the first place....
Click to expand...
Very, VERY good point!

Bruce
 
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