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Would anybody like me to master their track?

Would anybody like me to master their track? I've been out of it awhile and am looking to test my ability. EDM is preferred of course, and I will need to hear the mixdown prior to you sending me the high-resolution wave file, just to check levels and listen whether it's ready for mastering. First come first serve really, and depending on how things go I might be open to doing more. Make sure the level is kept well below clipping and bypass any mastering effects you may have. Then just send me an MP3 sample or post here.

UPDATE:

Please follow these simple steps:

1. Ensure any master effects are bypassed and the mix level peaks well below clipping (I prefer at least 6 dB of headroom, i.e. a maximum peak of around -6.0 dB - don't normalise the file after rendering).
   
   
2. Send me a ~190 kbps MP3 preview so that I can check the levels and listen whether it's ready for mastering; we can make any necessary changes at this stage. Of course, you can bypass this step if you're confident your mix is ready.
   
   
3. Render a high-resolution WAV file of your track typically at 44,100 Hz, 32 bit float. If this option isn't available, use 24 bit. If you're looking for a slight, possible increase in quality (that is if you think your mix utilises frequency space above 22,050 Hz), you can render at 96,000 Hz or anywhere in between, but please check this has worked OK because sometimes it can mess any timings up.
   
   
4. Please check the rendered file doesn't clip.
   
   
5. Compress it with .7z, FLAC, RAR or ZIP. I can't stress this option enough, as it not only saves bandwidth but also ensures a 1:1 copy due to error checking.
   
   
6. Upload it to a site such as MediaFire (preferred) or WeTransfer, unless you can provide your own hosting.
   
   
7. Turnaround will be a couple of days, and I'll send you a preview first before sending the 16 bit file, as well as a 24 bit version if required.
   

• Fine-tuning the frequency balance using linear-phase equalisation.
  
• Using compression to optimise and tighten the dynamic range.
  
• Using shaping or colouring EQ to further enhance the sound.
  
• Using harmonic excitation to add warmth and sparkle.
  
• Widening the stereo image.
  
• Fades and offset correction.
  
• Limiting for maximum loudness.
  

yes. will keep u posted.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/12234985/LITP%20Premaster.zip

Anybody else? I'm ready for another.

Atlantis-AR, what daw you use for mastering and hardware if any, also would like to know what type of monitors you got and room treatment if any.

quote:

Originally posted by MegaMan Atlantis-AR, what daw you use for mastering and hardware if any, also would like to know what type of monitors you got and room treatment if any.

Nothing too serious...i.e. don't expect a ten thousand dollar master, and you might just be surprised. I've learnt to get by with my Dynaudio BM5A near-field monitors and am using plug-ins, with Sound Forge as the host. Basically I'm serious about getting a professional, polished sound, but it won't cost you anything.

quote:

Originally posted by Atlantis-AR Nothing too serious...i.e. don't expect a ten thousand dollar master, and you might just be surprised. I've learnt to get by with my Dynaudio BM5A near-field monitors and am using plug-ins, with Sound Forge as the host. Basically I'm serious about getting a professional, polished sound, but it won't cost you anything.

And I'm just going to go ahead and vouch for the quality on that. I'm quite happy with his preview of work on my track and he managed to really nail the intent of the sound I was going for. Considering I think I could have done a much better mix, you've definitely exceeded the expectation.

how bout this?

http://soundcloud.com/firstorder/firstorder-dark-jungle

quote:

Originally posted by Cheriz how bout this? http://soundcloud.com/firstorder/firstorder-dark-jungle

Hey, first of all know that I would never master that loud, so if it's volume you're after then you'll have to look elsewhere... If however you want a dynamicaly rich and polished sound then I can see what I can do, but it will end up considerably softer than this 'wall of sound'.

And with hearing a preview first I actually ment to hear the mixdown first to make sure the levels are OK. It doesn't help me much to hear the master before actually mastering it, so start with an MP3 preview of the mixdown first.

Fully agree with Atlantis-AR, no tinkering on squashed self masterted tracks. No goodness to be found there.

Please do appreciate that Atlantis-AR is very serious about putting his time in some of your productions, it's a bit of an insult to ask for "Ozone oblitirated 128kbit MP3's" to be looked at.......

so.....a mastering engineer is turning down a job? ok. ill go to the next guy.

This track is not yet mastered, and has ZERO clips!

no one's gonna play my track if its even a few dB softer than the next. maybe u should start using a VariMu instead of the hacked version of Waves on ur computer. THIS IS NOT BEETHOVEN! i dont know how you expect EDM tracks to have huge dynamic range.

The loudness wars suck but, like it or not, u gotta play the game if u wanna win even max graham understands this.

i now remember why i stopped coming to this site in the first place...everyone has a chip on their shoulder.

quote:

Originally posted by Cheriz so.....a mastering engineer is turning down a job? ok. ill go to the next guy. This track is not yet mastered, and has ZERO clips! no one's gonna play my track if its even a few dB softer than the next. maybe u should start using a VariMu instead of the hacked version of Waves on ur computer. THIS IS NOT BEETHOVEN! i dont know how you expect EDM tracks to have huge dynamic range. The loudness wars suck but, like it or not, u gotta play the game if u wanna win even max graham understands this. i now remember why i stopped coming to this site in the first place...everyone has a chip on their shoulder.

Here is a screenshot of your mixdown: https://sites.google.com/site/atlan...?attredirects=0

let's zoom in on the loudest part of that, shall we?

http://postimage.org/image/1tn9xjnqc/

wow. those waves are surprisingly not chopped off.

quote:

Originally posted by Cheriz let's zoom in on the loudest part of that, shall we? http://postimage.org/image/1tn9xjnqc/ wow. those waves are surprisingly not chopped off.

Sure it doesn't look chopped off, but it sure sounds like it's been limited by at least 8 dB. I simply cannot master this nor would I master as loud as this.

Just bumping this thread up as I have nothing to master today! The tracks I've mastered have required very little processing so the A/B results aren't worth listening to, but I'm open to mastering more!

Heya,

I think it's really cool that you are doing this for people. I may well throw you a track this evening if you are up for that?

Cheers
Nem

Due to popular demand I've uploaded a before-and-after sample here. The track is by Voci and since the mixdown was almost spot on it pretty shows much the least I can do.

quote:

Originally posted by Nemesis44 I may well throw you a track this evening if you are up for that?

Sure thing!

Here's my take on after

Check the link Raphie...

my bad, fixed now.

Think u did a good job there, stayed true to the original. only the midrange was a bit closed to my taste, could have been just a bit more open. But that might be monitoring and/or room? what are u monitoring with? certainly a decent job for software. There was a bit more headroom in there for loudness without audible artifacts, but it's good that u focus and drive for dynamics.

quote:

Originally posted by Atlantis-AR Due to popular demand I've uploaded a before-and-after sample here. The track is by Voci and since the mixdown was almost spot on it pretty shows much the least I can do.

You don't think yours is too loud? You really pushed the volume...the meters are practically pinned. But I wouldn't call it free from audible artefacts... Also the bass sounds boomy to me, which is why I had cut it slightly. In terms of volume I can't compete with you though, you really filled every gap possible, though I'm not so sure how it would sound the whole track being this loud...

You're right, the mids I reduced slightly because I found them a bit forward, particularly on the lead synth. I'm monitoring using a combination of Dynaudio BM5As, AKG K240S headphones and large floorstanding speakers, and I'm happy with what I'm able to achieve there.

I'll see if I can get some more samples up that give a wider sense of what I can do.

I've pushed the needle a bit, but if you listen to the original there is already a limiter crunch in the highs,it's just a bit more appearant because of the opening up of the track. difference between volumes is significant, challenge is to find the right balance between loudness & artifacts. regarding the lows and mids, neither isn't right or wrong, it's merely taste

if you play both versions next to eachother you'll find that my versions stage sounds bigger, rounder and denser, while opening up the track, that's something that's really hard to achieve with software only.

quote:

Originally posted by Raphie I've pushed the needle a bit, but if you listen to the original there is already a limiter crunch in the highs

What makes you say that? I really don't hear it.

quote:

Originally posted by Raphie if you play both versions next to eachother you'll find that my versions stage sounds bigger, rounder and denser, while opening up the track, that's something that's really hard to achieve with software only.

Guess I've got a way to go then. I agree the mix is denser and wider, but the artefacts, though perhaps pleasing, I'm still not fond of. Try normalising yours and mine to an RMS volume of -14.70 dB and listening to all three then.

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