jonathan1967
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Is there a mastering trick to make a mix "warmer" and more cohesive?
I have a stereo mix that I created quite a few years ago, and there are two problems that I hear: 1) The tracks sound a bit sterile 2) The tracks don't seem to "gel" together in the mix. Are there any mastering tricks I can apply to this stereo mix (using Sonar X1 Professional) to make it sound more cohesive and perhaps add a little "warmth" for lack of a better word? Unfortunately, I don’t have access to the mix itself any more. All I have is the final stereo mixdown. I would be happy to provide a link if anyone has the time to listen. Thanks, Jonathan
post edited by jonathan1967 - 2012/03/09 16:58:07
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batsbrew
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Re:Is there a mastering trick to make a mix "warmer" and more cohesive?
2012/03/09 17:11:30
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MASTERING....
will not fix this issue.
you should try to record it over, and make it better with all you know now.
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Middleman
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Re:Is there a mastering trick to make a mix "warmer" and more cohesive?
2012/03/09 18:08:04
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Route all of the music to a separate group buss, not the vocals. Low pass it at 10 to 12k. Pull it up behind the vocal. If you want it warmer, lower the node point below 10k.
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batsbrew
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Re:Is there a mastering trick to make a mix "warmer" and more cohesive?
2012/03/09 18:24:08
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he said he only had the stereo file.
the best you can do, is a compromise eq between what bothers you, and what you can live with
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jonathan1967
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Re:Is there a mastering trick to make a mix "warmer" and more cohesive?
2012/03/09 19:05:36
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I actually think the mix is pretty close. What it needs is subtle. That's why I think perhaps all it needs is mastering. I have read that it's possible to use convolution reverb to "glue" a mix together. Aren't there also plugins out there that are supposed to simulate the warmth of analog tape? Thanks, Jonathan
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bitflipper
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Re:Is there a mastering trick to make a mix "warmer" and more cohesive?
2012/03/09 19:10:27
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Compression is what you're looking for. It helps the individual elements meld together, and tends to fill out the lower end of the spectrum (the "warmth"). Put a link up, invite others to see what they can do with it, and if you hear some nice results you can ask them for specifics on what they did.
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Middleman
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Re:Is there a mastering trick to make a mix "warmer" and more cohesive?
2012/03/09 20:01:10
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Yeah, missed that. Bit has the answer there with compression. But you could also parallel compress the track or even parallel EQ the track to move toward the results you are trying to get. Tape Saturation may not get you all the way there depending on the plug in.
I would run up a parallel version of the track, smash it with compression and bring it up under the orginal.
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jonathan1967
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Re:Is there a mastering trick to make a mix "warmer" and more cohesive?
2012/03/11 20:03:39
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Thanks for the replies. The two tracks I'm most concerned about are "Flotsam and Jetsam and Verdigris" and "Killing Spirits Underground." You can hear them on my Taxi page: http://www.taximusic.com/.../home.php?userid=45689 I'm not looking for a broadcast-quality CD. I just want to pitch these songs as demos. BTW, if you have any mastering advice on any of the remaining songs, I'd be happy to hear it. As I said before, these recordings were done a long time ago (in the mid 90's), and unfortunately I don't have the mixes anymore. What you hear is what I have. I have moved on to other songwriting projects, and if I ever return to this stuff, it's not going to be for awhile :) There are also a few vocal plosives on these two tracks. I'm guessing there's no practical way to eliminate these, but if there are, I'd love to hear it. Thanks! Jonathan
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jonathan1967
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Re:Is there a mastering trick to make a mix "warmer" and more cohesive?
2012/03/12 09:36:44
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Listening to those two tracks again, one thing that jumps out at me is that the volume of the vocals fluctuates a bit. Is it possible to improve this with compression without ruining the track? Thanks, Jonathan
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AT
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Re:Is there a mastering trick to make a mix "warmer" and more cohesive?
2012/03/12 10:37:14
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The vocals most likely would need fixed in the mix. Compression can help even out the sound between the backing and lead tracks in a stereo file, but it is kinda hit and miss unless the tracks were mixed w/ this in mind. The right compression ratios might help float the the vox (and any other lead element - guitar, etc.) over the backing tracks. Start playing w/ compression and read up on how it is used. A search here on the forums will provide a lot of advice and other places to look.
Another thing is EQ - if you can find a setting that "boosts" the vox a bit and automate that out when the singing isn't going on may help w/o damaging the song - maybe.
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batsbrew
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Re:Is there a mastering trick to make a mix "warmer" and more cohesive?
2012/03/12 11:08:02
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IMO
if you simply put a compressor across the whole mix, you'll make the entire thing sort of 'dull-out'
if you want to keep messing with the mix, based on what you just said about the vox, i'd suggest:
using something like span, to determine exactly what frequency is sticking out on the vox
( i would do something crazy like put the waveform at 24 bit, into sonar, cut a bunch of pieces of the waveform out where the vox is peaking, put them together back to back, and loop them, running it thru span to see where the peak freqs are happening)
then take a GOOD (i said 'GOOD') multiband compressor, and tweak just the one frequency that is problematic, and see where you land with that.
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