quote:

Originally posted by Thirteen Definition of Mastering: Here is the process that I generally use on almost every mastering project I have ever worked on. I will normalize the project to make sure it is not clipping. I will then compress the mix to give the mix a more even volume. I will then eq the mix to make sure that it isn't too bass heavy, or screaming on the top end. I will then apply some sort of limiter to increase loudness. All along the way I will check to make sure it isn't clipping and that it still sounds good. Sometimes I have to go back and change things around. Its just a matter of listening carefully and learning what compression and eq do to the music. 13

Great post man, that explains alot. But what program do you use to do this? I have Soundforge which I haven't even used yet. So you normalize and compress? If there's anything that's gonna make my mix sound better, I need to get into it. Thanks for the info.

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When I turn on my mixer, drop the needle, and put on my headphones... nothing else matters.

I am a DJ.

I use Soundforge + Ozone plug-in too, and some of the presets. Started it about 1 week ago so I still hadn't had the time to learn the program. But you can download the .pdf guide in the official site and I'm pretty sure you can learn a lot about mastering and making your own tweaks instead of experimenting with the presets.
Cheers!

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quote:

Originally posted by Thirteen I will normalize the project to make sure it is not clipping. 13

A little remark on this, normalizing will not solve any clipping problems if you clipped at the recording stage (basically : normalizing is looking at the loudest peak of the signal, then apply a gain on the whole signal, so the loudest peak will be at the level you specified. For example, if your recording peaks at -4 dB, and you ask to normalize to 0 dB, your whole recording will be increased by 4 dB).

It's best to leave a little margin when recording. Most of the time it is said to record as close as 0 dBFs as possible, without actually hitting that 0 dB mark. This is mostly true for recordings in 16 bit (as you want to have the best S/N ratio possible). Still, try to leave a little margin. Try to peak to -3 dB for example.
When recording at 24 bit, you can even give more slack. if you peak at -10 for example, that won't prove a problem (the "loss" of S/N won't be noticeable, and you can bring the level up after the recording). It's better to leave some "headroom" than risking to clip (digital distortion sounds bad).

Furthermore, if you're intending to use a limiter (or a loudness maximizer) like Waves L1/L2, the one in Ozone, or similar ones, it's pretty much useless to perform that normalizing step alltogether.

As you'll be able to set the maximum output level with the limiter, you can obtain the same result in the end, without the normalizing step. The least steps you use, the cleaner the end result will be, remember that.

quote:

Originally posted by Dj Thy A little remark on this, normalizing will not solve any clipping problems if you clipped at the recording stage (basically : normalizing is looking at the loudest peak of the signal, then apply a gain on the whole signal, so the loudest peak will be at the level you specified. For example, if your recording peaks at -4 dB, and you ask to normalize to 0 dB, your whole recording will be increased by 4 dB). It's best to leave a little margin when recording. Most of the time it is said to record as close as 0 dBFs as possible, without actually hitting that 0 dB mark. This is mostly true for recordings in 16 bit (as you want to have the best S/N ratio possible). Still, try to leave a little margin. Try to peak to -3 dB for example. When recording at 24 bit, you can even give more slack. if you peak at -10 for example, that won't prove a problem (the "loss" of S/N won't be noticeable, and you can bring the level up after the recording). It's better to leave some "headroom" than risking to clip (digital distortion sounds bad). Furthermore, if you're intending to use a limiter (or a loudness maximizer) like Waves L1/L2, the one in Ozone, or similar ones, it's pretty much useless to perform that normalizing step alltogether. As you'll be able to set the maximum output level with the limiter, you can obtain the same result in the end, without the normalizing step. The least steps you use, the cleaner the end result will be, remember that.

clear, concise and absolutely true

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I use soundforge for a lot of stuff, becuase it is really good at cutting up the mix into regions. I don't generally use it for mastering becuase I like to use real time plugins so that I can listen and adjust and listen and adjust, etc. Once I feel like its right I will bounce the plugins. I have done some mastering projects in soundforge completely, and that was actually the process I was explaining. As far as normallizing goes, I use that after eq, to prevent clipping. But like was mentioned before, the less you do to your mix the cleaner it will sound. So try to avoid repetive processes. Good Luck.

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Also I generally only use the waves plugins for mastering. This is what is used in major studios across the world, and I have tried most everything out there, and I find these do the best job.

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quote:

Originally posted by Matt Dixon 'I've downloaded WAY TOO MANY sets off the amateur DJ forum and they all clip to distortion levels, or all the tracks aren't the same volume' How do you sort out the latter problem?

You can use your VU meters and gains on your mixer to make sure the tracks are always the same VU reading, so then they record at or closer to the same level... and some limiting/compression will bring them all to a relatively similar level.

and just a note.. as I've said it many times b4...
NEVER NORMALIZE!!!! (COMPRESS IN STEAD!)

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Thanks for replies, this seems to be an untapped resource on these forums (mastering I mean). A couple of more questions: What do you mean (Thirteen) by Real-Time plugins? What does the Waves plugin do and where can I find it? And what is meant by "clipping?"

I do have the problem of some tracks being louder than others, or the bass on one is much louder than the rest, etc... this is really useful information to me. Thanks.

Does Soundforge have a limiter/EQ/compressor/all these things we're talking about? Or are other programs/plugins needed? If so, which ones? Spoon-feed me please.

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When I turn on my mixer, drop the needle, and put on my headphones... nothing else matters.

I am a DJ.

Last edited by Ibiza Dreams on Jun-12-2004 at 08:37

quote:

Originally posted by SgtFoo You can use your VU meters and gains on your mixer to make sure the tracks are always the same VU reading, so then they record at or closer to the same level... and some limiting/compression will bring them all to a relatively similar level. and just a note.. as I've said it many times b4... NEVER NORMALIZE!!!! (COMPRESS IN STEAD!)

Explain why you should never normalize? I have to say that I disagree, but this is an open forum, so please attempt to sway me.

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What do you mean (Thirteen) by Real-Time plugins?

Real time plugins, are used to process audio in real time, meaning they do not actually change the audio, they are placed in the signal path, via software, and as you play the audio it changes it as you play. If you remove the plugin or change a setting it will no longer have any effect on the audio. This way I can adjust the plugin till I see fit, instead of applying and undoing. Also it allows me to use less effects. I can generally do most mastering using a limiter, eq, and that is usually about it. I generally also use some noise reduction plugins to remove clicks and pops and other record noise.



What does the Waves plugin do and where can I find it?

The waves plugins are probably one of the most expensive plug in packages out there. The gold bundle which some of the mastering plugins is about $1000. But it is well worth it, as these are the plugins that are used on pretty much every song you hear on the radio. There are some really great plugins inside of soundforge, as well as some other plugin packages that are cheaper and work almost as well.


And what is meant by "clipping?"

Clipping is anytime your signal level reaches about the 0db marker. On your mixer usually you can push the signal above 0db, and it will turn red. This is bad. Don't do this. If you wanna sound like a pro, don't clip. period. This is near impossible to do consistently, but you can try and keep it to a moderate level.

I do have the problem of some tracks being louder than others, or the bass on one is much louder than the rest, etc... this is really useful information to me.

As far as some tracks having more bass/less bass, this is what you us eq for. While your mixing as well as when you master, you can eq the mix after your done recording it to make it sound a bit more even. It is also how you make sure that it sounds good on all peoples systems.

Soundforge has a pretty good set of plugins that you can use. Try using the wavehammer, and the eqs. The best thing you can do is experiment and learn how to use these plugins.

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