quazi mastering... kinda...

[paul_g]

What do you guys do to make sure all your songs (sessions) are at the same level?

I.E. - You have four sessions (four songs) - All Mixed. We're opting not to Master... Was going to try Ozone 4 or Waves L2 Ultra Maximizer... (actually I like the L2)

I was thinking about bouncing my sessions to .wav's and bring them into a blank session so I could use the L2 on the master fader... But I know each song is at different levels... Do you guys use the meters? ears? Both? What techniques are employed?

Just wondering what other people do to make sure all their mixes are at the same level, etc...

p

[albee1952]

Ears for balance, and meters to pay attention to clipping. What I would do is; import all 4 songs into a mastering session. Insert L2 on each track. Set all the L2 instances for -.02 output ceiling. Set all to dither to 16 bit(assuming your recorded and bounced at 24 bit). Lower the threshold to start juicing the level, but do not allow more than 3db of GR on any of the L2's. Use the threshold to balance out the 4 tracks as you like. Now, you have 2 options(at least). you could solo each track and bounce(add dither if you started at 24 bit). OR, highlight each audio file(one at a time), call up L2 in AudioSuite mode, Match the AS version settings with the inserted L2 settings. Process>remove the inserted L2>Export the region. Repeat for the other tracks. Pay attention to dither as the very last process before bouncing(if you bounce). You should also use the Audiosuite DC Offset removal plugin and process the final version before exporting. Read this a few times to get the whole overview and modify the method to suit you (I do all this in WaveLab).

[Ben Jenssen]

Using Albees example I would do one thing differently:
I would set the threshold with my EARS for each song, then find the song with the lowest percieved loudness, set its output to -0.3db, and then pull back on the others' output so they match in percieved loudness.

I would probably also be using subtle EQ (if not MBcomp) to balance the songs but that was not the topic.

[paul_g]

This is awesome! I wouldn't have even thought about using the L2 as an insert on the "bounce to two" tracks.

p

[paul_g]

Originally Posted by albee1952

Ears for balance, and meters to pay attention to clipping. What I would do is; import all 4 songs into a mastering session. Insert L2 on each track. Set all the L2 instances for -.02 output ceiling. Set all to dither to 16 bit(assuming your recorded and bounced at 24 bit). Lower the threshold to start juicing the level, but do not allow more than 3db of GR on any of the L2's. Use the threshold to balance out the 4 tracks as you like. Now, you have 2 options(at least). you could solo each track and bounce(add dither if you started at 24 bit). OR, highlight each audio file(one at a time), call up L2 in AudioSuite mode, Match the AS version settings with the inserted L2 settings. Process>remove the inserted L2>Export the region. Repeat for the other tracks. Pay attention to dither as the very last process before bouncing(if you bounce). You should also use the Audiosuite DC Offset removal plugin and process the final version before exporting. Read this a few times to get the whole overview and modify the method to suit you (I do all this in WaveLab).

How do you like Wavelab?

p

[paul_g]

Al,

One other question, before you use Wavelab, while still in PT, do you bounce the songs to .wav @ 24 bit and add dither to the master track - before you import them into Wavelab?

p

[albee1952]

Originally Posted by paul_g

How do you like Wavelab?

p

Actually, I am Dave(albee is a nickname). I love Wavelab. I always bounce the session at the same sample rate and bit depth as the session(usually 24 bit/44.1K). I will toss L2 on the master track for reference BTD (just something to take out to the car or for the client to live with for a few days). I also often leave off the fadeout as well and add that in Wavelab(personal choice there). What I prefer about Wavelab for mastering is(are), better analysis tools, fast rendering and CD burning(which can be done with no space between track numbers as would be done with a live recording) and Apogee dithering. Certainly WaveLab isn't the only program to do this stuff, but its one I stick with due to a certain comfort level. Plus, I can save mastering chains as presets, so I can recall the exact chain for a remix done 2 months after the project was finished(is it ever really finished). That's really handy if you added any EQ

[paul_g]

Thanks for all your help Dave!

Didn't realize you were in Nashville. I realize there are 50 million musicians in Nashville, but a good friend of mine, who is not only a talented hill-bluesman, but also an amazing producer and writer for Gibson.Com lives, works and gigs in Nashville... You should look him up.

Ted Drozdowski - http://scissormen.com/

Thanks again for all your help Dave!

Paul G.

[paul_g]

Ok, well..... (sigh....) ......

I was going to try the free trial of Wavelab (test drive before purchase), and when I go do download the free trial it's asking for a USB-eLicenser number.
They want $30.00 to buy the usb key before I can even try the software...

Why can't I come up with money making schemes like this!!! Well, that changes this nights agenda.

[AfterJohn]

Do you have Logic Studio? If yes, you can use Waveburner to master your tracks.

On a side note, DO NOT DITHER your stereo bounces (unless you're going from 24 bit to 16 bit for reference discs). Save dithering as the very last step in mastering.