[TOM@METRO]

Originally Posted by Mike Teslow

Interesting, I hadn't thought of the radio station limiters. Regarding the next post, I can think of plenty of pop/rock stars who don't have good voices nor chops to work the mic, so I'm thinking there is "magic" in terms of the processing. Nevertheless, it's hard to believe that someone like Bono, ie, something with a great voice, still doesn't have boatloads of processing to make his voice "jump out" of the mix (ie, Zooropa). Just trying to figure out that toolkit.

Hi Mike

Much of what you call jumping out of the mix has to do with methodical music production. Instrument choices and their placement, EQ curves, dynamics, environment (reverb etc.) as well as manipulating the unique vocal tracks of an individual singer.

Carving out the perfect “cradle” for vocals, where the track can deliver the perfect amount of energy and at the same time allow for vocal articulation is one function that defines a great producer. Also knowing exactly how your work will interpret in mastering is critical.

It’s really not as much the tools as how they are used. An old 1176 limiter can be amazing in the hands of an artist and truly annoying in the hands of a hack.

One might ask: What kind of guitar does my favorite guitarist use? Or he might ask: How many years of study and practice (and how much raw talent) did it take him to get there?

The point of all of this rambling is; the boatloads of processing comes primarily from just one processor >> You.

Watch me take heat for this.