Re: Perfect mix goes bad with volume
2014/09/02 16:31:21
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Mastering is the final step in the chain before the song or album is released on any medium. There are even articles on mastering for iTunes.
A quick refresher in recording 101:
1-Recording session; where the bed tracks for the song are generated. Scratch vocals, a piano or rhythm guitar and drums are the first thing normally. This could be a whole band, or you and a click track and guitar. ( note that in 1940 this was all you got )
2- Overdubing; where you add way to many tracks to your song until it sounds worse than the original scratch tracks..:) . just kidding.
3- Editing; better known as Turd polishing. Hopefully the tracks were recorded properly in the first place and you don't need to much of this. Some people enjoy spending months on this part, not me.
4-Mixing; ( my favorite part) Balancing all the tracks so they can be heard in a musical way. Making the solos cut through. track EQ and adding effects.
But note. we are not to worry about overall volume and master EQ at this point. Get it close, but proceed to next step. Export that song with a safe overhead level. As wave file.
5- Mastering; Now you can optimize your mix using mastering tools like RMS level and some EQ if needed. Mastering is another art form that not everyone can expect to be brilliant at overnight. I use a dedicated wave editor for this ( Wave Lab) You really need the global analyzing tools to know where you stand in the real world these days. VU meters only tell you part of the story.
6- Replication and Format Conversion. Stomp out your CD's and batch convert to MP3 files for uploading.
7-Re mix- Hate what you've done and go back to step one.
Cakelab - Sonar X3e Studio
Singer Songwriter, Solo Performer, Acoustic Duo and semi pro Sound Monkey.