The mastering tag has no wiki summary.
1
vote
3answers
2k views
Reason: Why do my songs sound dull and soft?
Just to get it out of the way, I have no formal training in music production, let alone sound engineering. So apologies in advance if I say anything stupid.
I have been using Reason to make hip ...
5
votes
2answers
214 views
What exactly does it mean to normalize a track/how it is done?
When exporting a song I was working on in Ableton I decided to export it as an .aiff file for the first time, just for kicks I guess, when I noticed some options that I had never really paid attention ...
5
votes
1answer
158 views
Is it wrong to use compression on the master bus?
I've read some pretty conflicting statements about what people should or shouldn't do when it comes to putting effects on the master bus. In general, what I always do is put on a compressor but have ...
7
votes
1answer
66 views
General advice about sound spatialization
I am composing music by layering various instruments of different types. Percussions, strings, lead, etc...
Is there a generally-agreed "best" way of putting those instruments in the auditive space? ...
7
votes
3answers
154 views
How should you mix / master when producing music for Video Games?
Should anything be done differently when mixing and/or mastering for Video Game music, considering it will play along with various other game SFX?
Should a certain range of frequencies (or multiple ...
3
votes
2answers
149 views
Removing subsonic frequencies when mastering
In general (for music where lf are not important):
To increase space for dynamic range in audible frequencies, is it a good idea to remove low frequencies when mastering?
More specific:
I am ...
1
vote
1answer
152 views
Learning how to create, record, mix, and master audio
I've been messing around with digital audio production for something like six years on and off, and it's been a beautiful frustrating experience. I know very little if any "textbook" information and ...
3
votes
2answers
69 views
Generating massive-sounding duplicated noises
I'm using SONAR 5 Producer (I know, it's old.) to record/mix/master my recording. What I'm looking to do is with certain sounds, I'd like to create the effect of having hundreds of instruments without ...
3
votes
2answers
188 views
Voice narration mastering?
I'm a web developer who wants to start making screencasts, with emphasis on quality. One of the things that I have to take care of is the voice quality - I want it to be as good as possible for a ...
2
votes
1answer
88 views
Tool for improving old recordings
I'm looking for a tool like this, but not quite sure what to call it. I have a number of MP3s of recordings I did on 4-track tape back in the day. I quite like them but the recording is fairly poor ...
8
votes
2answers
314 views
Editing/Mastering workflow for a podcast
I'm creating a podcast with two voice tracks and some intro/outro music, and I'm trying to decide on a general workflow for editing and mastering. Specifically, I'm not sure if some of the effects ...
7
votes
3answers
306 views
Getting the kick drum to really come out in the mix?
When I get done with a mix, no matter how much I work on the bass drum it barely comes out. I'm mainly working with metal bands, so I was wondering if anyone could give me pointers/ suggestions/ ...
4
votes
3answers
219 views
Techniques on Mastering
I'm interested in creating the most 'dynamically interesting' sound from music that I've produced on a computer, which includes vocal samples, bass, rhythm and instruments.
At first I was happy with ...
6
votes
1answer
168 views
In which situations is Audio Expansion applied (opposite of compressors)?
I've encountered from time to time some plugins that allows a threshold and a ratio to be set so that quieter sound can have an even more quieter level (or silenced altogether). Ableton Live actually ...
2
votes
1answer
135 views
How to achieve overcompressed sound?
How can I make a track sound like its over-compressed, like this one:
http://mp3.juno.co.uk/MP3/SF1228842-02-01-02.mp3
?
(I'm using the izotope Ozone plugin inside a VST host)
5
votes
1answer
458 views
How to check a Master Audio CD for Errors?
Everyone who has dealt with audio production knows that quality of the whole bunch of future cds depends on quality of master cd.
How can I check my master cd in order to be sure that there is no ...
8
votes
3answers
2k views
What is a good mastering chain to use in a DAW?
I realise that there is no one 'correct' answer to this (so maybe this can be marked community wiki), but as a hobbyist with a small home studio I would be interested to hear how others set up their ...
2
votes
1answer
256 views
Audio Mastering Book Recommendations
I am in the initial stages of a recording project of my own and am interested in doing my own mastering work once it is finished. So, I am looking for books/reference materials on audio mastering as ...
11
votes
4answers
3k views
What is the best volume to work with studio monitors?
What is the best volume to work with studio monitors for mastering and mixing tracks?
I own a pair of M Audio Bx8 Studio monitors and I always produce with the volume knob at the middle.... so here ...
6
votes
1answer
1k views
How to read and use a Phase / Vectorscope
I been using Izotope Ozone 4 for some time, but I'm still a bit intimidated by the Vectorscope in the stereo-imaging section.
When Mastering / Mixing a signal...
What "lissajous shape" are you ...
3
votes
2answers
169 views
Help with mastering [closed]
I use Logic Pro. It seems like every song on the radio I hear sounds good everywhere. Headphones, ear buds, loud speakers etc. My music generally feels like it lacks dynamic range. As if a lot of the ...
13
votes
2answers
315 views
What is Mastering?
Can anyone explain mastering? What is it for and why should anyone care? Should I have all of my recordings mastered?
