I'd like to hear some comparisons as well.

I've never really kept any pre-mastered tracks around, but I can make a point of doing it for my newest song. I don't think there's a giant difference between them, though.

Sorry, I'm at work and don't have access to any unmastered versions of my tracks that have been professionally mastered for comparison, but I will say that you might be surprised to hear how little the mastered and unmastered versions differ.

quote:

Originally posted by ClearWater I can't help but be discouraged by my own work if only because it doesn't SOUND that great... despite the time taken to layer sounds, mix and modulate. Even doing a little mastering EQ and compression on the main channel doesn't do it for me...

That sounds like a mixing problem. Mastering isn't going to turn a bad mix into something listenable - it essentially is just adding the final touches, some sheen to the mix, fixing any minor problem spots, balancing the level (e.g., so that it matches other songs that it will be played alongside in a club or on a CD), CD song sequencing, etc. Also, slapping an EQ and compressor on the master buss is not mastering and will probably do more harm to your mixdown than good. The best advice I can give is to work on your mixing skills, really get to know your monitors/room so that you know what a good mix should sound like on your system, compare your mixes to commercial tracks, and test your mixes on several different systems.

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quote:

Originally posted by cryophonik I will say that you might be surprised to hear how little the mastered and unmastered versions differ.

This is right. You may perceive this as even more discouraging, but that great sounding music you hear, most of it sounds that way when the producer is working on it.

Some people will say "don't compare your music to music that's been professionally mastered, since mastering is this black mystery box which can take the worst sounding, fuzzy, unbalanced, etc song and turn it into a masterpiece".

If there are major mix limitations/flaws, then maybe a mastering engineer can do a heap of processing and do the best they can to rectify some of the most glaring problems. But it's always going to be a band-aid, it won't sound anywhere near as good compared with if you'd fixed those issues at the mixing stage.

Yes, there are times when producing is extremely frustrating. It's frustrating listening to these fantastic sounds and not being at a stage where you can create those sounds yourself. However, there are hundreds of great trance producers out there who all aspired to make those sounds, who spent years in their studios learning how to make those sounds. There is no difference between a given fantastic producer and you, except for that experience - working out methods that work, methods that don't work.

Hundreds of people just like yourself are able to create these great sounding songs before they're mastered. Just keep learning and trying to improve every day, notice how much you're improving every few months, and have faith that you'll become one of these great producers.

quote:

Originally posted by derail This is right. You may perceive this as even more discouraging, but that great sounding music you hear, most of it sounds that way when the producer is working on it. Some people will say "don't compare your music to music that's been professionally mastered, since mastering is this black mystery box which can take the worst sounding, fuzzy, unbalanced, etc song and turn it into a masterpiece". If there are major mix limitations/flaws, then maybe a mastering engineer can do a heap of processing and do the best they can to rectify some of the most glaring problems. But it's always going to be a band-aid, it won't sound anywhere near as good compared with if you'd fixed those issues at the mixing stage. Yes, there are times when producing is extremely frustrating. It's frustrating listening to these fantastic sounds and not being at a stage where you can create those sounds yourself. However, there are hundreds of great trance producers out there who all aspired to make those sounds, who spent years in their studios learning how to make those sounds. There is no difference between a given fantastic producer and you, except for that experience - working out methods that work, methods that don't work. Hundreds of people just like yourself are able to create these great sounding songs before they're mastered. Just keep learning and trying to improve every day, notice how much you're improving every few months, and have faith that you'll become one of these great producers.

+1

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quote:

Originally posted by davedresden it's a good thing your tits have no bearing on the outcome of my career

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hey Cryo
do you mind putting a pre and post mastered song up so we can have a listen. as ive never heard a pre/post comparison before?

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quote:

Originally posted by davedresden it's a good thing your tits have no bearing on the outcome of my career

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Here you go, professionally mastered versus limiter slap on.

http://www.subtleinc.net/unmastered.mp3

http://www.subtleinc.net/mastered.mp3

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Subtle, but noticeable. Mastering your music is similar to editing your writing. Fixing little flaws can make good material even better, but it won't make bad material good.

I learned this intimately as I improved my mixing and critical listening.

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Cheers mate I'll take a listen on the monitors once I get home

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quote:

Originally posted by davedresden it's a good thing your tits have no bearing on the outcome of my career

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You don't need mastering, no one ever does. What you need to do is learn to get better at mixing.

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quote:

Originally posted by PutBoy You don't need mastering, no one ever does. What you need to do is learn to get better at mixing.

if noone never needed mastering why the hell would people and labels get there stuff mastered? Dumb comment IMO

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quote:

Originally posted by davedresden it's a good thing your tits have no bearing on the outcome of my career

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