mastering

[doubleoseven]

All,

My protools mixing session sound great. I then bounce to disk at 24, 48. Next I import audio to a new session to start mastering (multiband compression, maxim). I then bounce again to 16, 41 (session sounds better than mixing session). Once I drop it into itunes, or play it in the car I sounds muddy - mainly the lows and mids. I'm trying to get the track to sound as good as the protools session. Any suggestions?

ps

I know that people pay lots of $ to get songs mastered, and I respect that. But, I've also have heard some really great productions that were not done in muti-million $ studios.

[Creager]

what are you using for monitors?

[se.audio]

you're right about being able to get massive sounds from home / semi pro setups but you have to know your speakers and room inside out, as well as not commiting to any final mix/master before you hear it on big speakers, nearfields, headphones, car, computer, nightclub, etc... you get the idea...

from what you say you may need to go back to your actual mixing and fix a bit of everything, mastering should only be about adding dimension to your already perfect mix. other than that, get good plugins and learn how to use it (maxim may not really cut it as a limiter...)

[Kling3]

Originally Posted by doubleoseven

All,

...I'm trying to get the track to sound as good as the protools session. Any suggestions?

Can't say enough about the wealth of information in this video. Money WELL spent... excellent tutorial.

[doubleoseven]

thanks for the feedback. I think I know the problem. Got to get some better monitors.

[@ndy]

Originally Posted by doubleoseven

thanks for the feedback. I think I know the problem. Got to get some better monitors.

Good monitors will help, but knowing what your monitors sound like is more important. If the car test says it muddy go back and fix it until it passes. Then really listen to how that sounds on your monitors back in your room. With practice, you can train your ears/mind to know when it's hitting the sweet spot even though it doesn't sound perfect in your room. It might save you some money.

[doubleoseven]

thanks 4 trying to save me some $. I actually tried a HP Filter, LM Notching, and bringing up the mid range a bit and u know what. the mud is gone. I'm a songwriter, but I actually feel more like an engineer. What's wrong with this.

[@ndy]

It' is almost impossible to stay right brained when writing and recording by yourself. Especially once you add computers into the equation. You just have to find a balance, if you can. Good luck

[BGMusic]

Go into the car and listen to a CD that you think sounds incredible, and not muddy. Then take that CD back to your rig and listen to it in your space. Learn how it sounds. Then get your mix to match it. If you can get your mix to match up with that CD, it should sound just as good when you take it back to the car.

Mastering in the very same space that you mix in, as well as using the same set of ears to do it is a tricky proposition. One of the things about mastering is, a mastering room is set up completely differently from a mix room. The monitors that mastering engineers use have little to do with the monitors you'll find in a mix room. Finally you've got another set of ears doing the mastering for you.