Mastering 101

[GregV]

Hey Gang... Long time no see!
I've been lazy with my Mastering because I rarely need to do it. When I work at home, I'm comfortable enough with MY gear to make it work.
But now that I'm working more and more in unfamiliar studios with unfamiliar monitoring, I'm trying to hone the craft... Especially by using a random selection of plug-ins. I don't always have access to the same set.
I HOPE that I won't need to Master often, but just in case...

Here are 4 versions. Each clip is about 2 minutes, but please feel free to skip around.
Is there one that is clearly better? Why?
Is there one that is clearly BAD? Why?

Any thoughts are greatly appreciated!
https://soundcloud.com/gregvyrostko/...ing-experiment

[upscaps]

#1 Are you talking about mixing or mastering as they are different things?

#2 Always carry some reference mixes with you to new rooms. After all these years I still do this in every new facility I work at to learn the room.

[albee1952]

Not trying to sound negative, but if you are bouncing from place to place and not using the same tools and listening environment all the time, then you are shooting in the dark That's a case where I would say "no" to mastering. For quality mastering, I feel the place and gear matters as much as the ME using it.

[DC-Choppah]

I bopped around.

I would like to listen to #1. The reason is the clarity of the separation of the instruments and vocal. With the 3 others I have a harder time hearing how the instruments and vocal are separate. Listening on cheap computer speakers.

Can't hear much difference in 2,3,4 but 1 stands out in that regard.

DC

[GregV]

upscaps... Mastering, not Mixing. Yeah I had some references but still couldn't use the unfamiliar tools as well as my own. Hence this experiment.

albee... I'm glad you said that. I felt like a wimp saying I would rather Master at home! After all these years I still don't trust my gut sometimes! "I SHOULD be able to do this" echoed in my ears as I flipped through plug ins, sampling everything like a cruise ship buffet!

[GregV]

Thank you DC... I appreciate your input!

[albee1952]

"cruise ship buffet"