A question about volume and mastering.

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by rockguitarist1255

Oh and when I master the track, I down mix it to 44.1, 16 bit WAV right?

Yes, if you want to burn it to a CD. If you want to create a mp3 then you can bounce whatever you want and convert later, or bounce a mp3 straight away.

If you use a limiter (and are a newbie to this) I suggest you don't hit digital zero but instead -1dBFS. That will introduce less problems with normal consumer playback hardware.

[Meads]

Originally Posted by Southsidemusic

Would appreciate any answers or links to Metallica sound bashing sites

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPu0DKyGgZI&sns=em

[graveleye]

people.... mastering is not simply about volume.

[peter kuchar]

Get a metering plug in that reads rms and put it on your master fader and import a couple of songs you like into your session. you'll then be able to see how loud they are. Then you'll know what to shoot for. Voxengo span is a good one if you have the rtas to vst wrapper. I'm happy with an average rms around -12 alot of songs nowadays are much louder. You also will need a good limiter. Voxengo elephant is a good one,or waves L2, Massey L2000. it will take a while to get good at it. read up on the subject good luck

[JFreak]

Originally Posted by peter kuchar

I'm happy with an average rms around -12 alot of songs nowadays are much louder.

Generally speaking 14dB dynamics seems to be the threshold. The material seems to gain some energy until that, but go beyone and it tends to lose punch. Give or take few but that's the rough ballmark.

[musicman691]

Originally Posted by Southsidemusic

Hey Friends

Sorry to butt in here, I just wanna ask why I read a few times not to use Metallica's 2 latest albums to compare or use as refference? I'm a huge Metallica fan although I produce mainstream pop and rock for established artists so I'm just curious why you think DM and SKOM are badly done. Would appreciate any answers or links to Metallica sound bashing sites

Peace and Love
Chris

Even Lars admitted that Death Magnetic was not the best production-wise that could have been done. Way over compressed, no dynamic range, horrible sound. Supposedly the mp3 digital downloads sound better but don't know about that for sure.