Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar

Author
Ricebug
Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
  • Total Posts : 181
  • Joined: 2014/06/21 18:54:51
  • Location: Nampa-Caldwell, Idaho
  • Status: offline
2016/05/27 18:07:25 (permalink)

Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar

A buddy of mine sent me a CD with some stuff he did. It sounds OK, but really needs some juice to fatten up the sound. Is there a way to do this in Sonar?
 
I pulled a song onto a track and cloned it. On the one track I beefed up the low end. On the other, I concentrated on the high end, looking for some crisp highs. It really didn't do what I expected. Any recommendations?

Sonar Platinum / AMD 5 ghz 8-core CPU w/8 GB RAM / nVidia GTX-780 graphics / Roland A-500Pro MIDI keyboard / Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 interface / Komplete 9 Ultimate / Melodyne Essential / Digitech Vocalist Live Pro/ Roland MSGS synth module / Rode NT2 microphone / an understanding wife
#1

11 Replies Related Threads

    Sacalait
    Max Output Level: -79 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 552
    • Joined: 2008/01/01 16:59:28
    • Location: South Louisiana, USA
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar 2016/05/27 18:12:10 (permalink)
    Well the short answer is yes, you can absolutely master in Sonar.  I do it all the time.  The deeper answer has to do with your knowledge of the tools at hand.  There are enough tools in the packaged version of Platinum to master a song effectively. 

    www.pershingwells.com www.facebook.com/pershingwells
    Sonar Platinum, PC- Intel i7-4770K w/16 Gig RAM Windows 8.1, Solid State Drive and eSATA drives, Mytek, RME UFX, RME Multiface II, Roland VS700,  A-Designs Pacifica, UA LA610, Presonus RC500. A-Designs Hammer EQ, DBX, AKG, Neumann, Roland, JBL, Fender, Gibson, G&L, Marshall, Korg, Martin, Shure, Electrovoice, Yamaha, Chameleon Labs comps.
    #2
    Cactus Music
    Max Output Level: 0 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 8424
    • Joined: 2004/02/09 21:34:04
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar 2016/05/27 19:01:25 (permalink)
    Often the issue is just plain old loudness. I've fixed many wimpy sounding home grown efforts by simply running them though a process to bring the average RMS level up to what is more the excepted normal level . -12-14 db average RMS is a good benchmark for Rock and country.
    But a multi band compressor is a good start. I know there's a new one I haven't tried yet that replaced the LP 64 multi band.

    Johnny V  
    Cakelab  
    Focusrite 6i61st - Tascam us1641. 
    3 Desktops and 3 Laptops W7 and W10
     http://www.cactusmusic.ca/
     
     
    #3
    Base 57
    Max Output Level: -86 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 249
    • Joined: 2014/12/26 16:30:14
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar 2016/05/27 23:28:32 (permalink)
      Not to start a thirty page argument here, but this sounds like a chance to check out that L&R thing so many were bent out of shape about.
       SPLAT has the tools to do what you want to do, but mastering a mix takes practice. Mastering takes professional dedication. Of course the only way to get any experience is to do it. So...
       The new LP Multi-band compressor is a fantastic tool. You certainly can do the job with it. Just try not to get too heavy handed. The LPEQ is also very nice (I'm tempted to use all 20 bands on something just to do it).
       The CD your friend gave you is an opportunity to learn a new skill. Dive in the deep end and swim.
    #4
    tenfoot
    Max Output Level: -53.5 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 2186
    • Joined: 2015/01/22 18:12:07
    • Location: Qld, Australia
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar 2016/05/27 23:31:14 (permalink)
    The new mastering plugins were built for you! Have a look at the CakeTV video below about them, and make sure you have this month's update of the engineering FX installed with the latest fixes. They are really very good and designed for exactly what you are trying to do. The video is an excellent summary of how to use them.
     
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyqNJhSUGfI
     

    Bruce.
     
    Sonar Platinum 2017-09, Studio One 3.5.3, Win 10 x64, Quad core i7, RME Fireface, Behringer X32 Producer, Behringer X32 Rack, Presonus Faderport, Lemure Software Controller (Android), Enttec DMXIS VST lighting controller, Xtempo POK.
    #5
    dannyjmusic
    Max Output Level: -86 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 237
    • Joined: 2015/01/19 12:41:06
    • Location: Atlanta, Ga
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar 2016/05/28 06:52:40 (permalink)
    Just for something quick and easy...try putting the VC 64 plug on the master bus....select the Master Mix preset from the pull down menu and see what it sounds like...you can tweek the settings in there too...might be a place to start
    It adds some EQ and compression
     
    #6
    Adji
    Max Output Level: -82 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 443
    • Joined: 2009/03/30 11:57:14
    • Location: Sunderland, UK
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar 2016/05/28 06:56:22 (permalink)
    I'm far from a mastering engineer (I'm far from an engineer at anything to be fair) but I mastered my recent album in Sonar and it is absolutely capable of decent results. It is probably capable of GREAT results if you have the knowledge.

    Mastering has always been seen as a bit of a dark art but from my basic understanding and experimentation I usually end up with Compression, Multi-Band Compression, 'Character' or tone shaping EQ, Mid-Side EQ (for increasing width and centralizing kick drum etc) and limiting.
     
    Real mastering engineers will do the same but usually (again in my experience) they will run lots of processors or hardware but only make very subtle adjustments on each rather than drastic adjustments on just one or two pieces.

    Sonar Professional
    Windows 8.1
    Intel Hex Core i7 5820k 
    32Gig DDR4 RAM


    #7
    dlesaux
    Max Output Level: -70 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1034
    • Joined: 2009/09/13 09:25:18
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar 2016/05/28 07:23:26 (permalink)
    I know that LANDR seems to spark controversy here but have you tried their demo? That may be all that track needs. I don't personally use LANDR, I use Ozone. Have fun mastering!

    Peace!
    Daniel

    Sonar Platinum - 2017.10 and PreSonus Studio One 3.5.5
    Windows 10 64 bit
    Studiocat Skylake Desktop PC with Intel i7 6700k processor @ 4.20 GHz / 16G RAM 
    Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface and Cakewalk UM-2G Midi Interface

    Check out my website
    #8
    Ricebug
    Max Output Level: -87 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 181
    • Joined: 2014/06/21 18:54:51
    • Location: Nampa-Caldwell, Idaho
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar 2016/05/28 10:34:15 (permalink)
    What is LANDR? I see it on my computer but never knew it was part of Sonar.

    Sonar Platinum / AMD 5 ghz 8-core CPU w/8 GB RAM / nVidia GTX-780 graphics / Roland A-500Pro MIDI keyboard / Focusrite Scarlett 6i6 interface / Komplete 9 Ultimate / Melodyne Essential / Digitech Vocalist Live Pro/ Roland MSGS synth module / Rode NT2 microphone / an understanding wife
    #9
    dlesaux
    Max Output Level: -70 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 1034
    • Joined: 2009/09/13 09:25:18
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar 2016/05/28 12:03:40 (permalink)
    LANDR is an automated mastering service

    Peace!
    Daniel

    Sonar Platinum - 2017.10 and PreSonus Studio One 3.5.5
    Windows 10 64 bit
    Studiocat Skylake Desktop PC with Intel i7 6700k processor @ 4.20 GHz / 16G RAM 
    Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 Audio Interface and Cakewalk UM-2G Midi Interface

    Check out my website
    #10
    WallyG
    Max Output Level: -74 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 833
    • Joined: 2013/05/03 11:37:52
    • Location: Arizona
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar 2016/05/28 12:52:10 (permalink)
    dlesaux
    I know that LANDR seems to spark controversy here but have you tried their demo? That may be all that track needs. I don't personally use LANDR, I use Ozone. Have fun mastering!




    Have you tried using the new Sonar Mastering Plug-ins vs Ozone?
     
    Walt

    Roland Jupiter 80, Roland D50, Roland Integra 7, Roland BK-7m, Yamaha Montage 6, ARP Odyssey, Excelsior Continental Artist, Roland FR-8X, 1967 Fender Jaguar, Fender Strat,  Fender 1965 Twin Reverb reissue, Selmer Trumpet, Akai EWI, Studio One 4 Professional, Melodyne Studio 4, Behringer X-Touch, RME Fireface UCX, MOTU MIDI Express XT - ADK Pro Audio Hex Xtreme 6 Core i7 4.5GHz, 64GB, 480GB SS, 3 X 3TB Hard Drives, Win 10, 2 X 27" & 1X 46" Monitors,
    My WEB site - www.gontowski.com/music
    #11
    vanceen
    Max Output Level: -74 dBFS
    • Total Posts : 814
    • Joined: 2003/11/08 08:55:56
    • Status: offline
    Re: Mastering A Final Mix In Sonar 2016/05/28 14:03:11 (permalink)
    You can do mastering in SONAR. All the essential tools are there: EQ, multiband compression, limiting. I'm pretty sure there's even some plug-ins for exciting, imaging, and tape simulation. The only things really lacking are EQ curve matching and LUFS metering, but you can live without those, especially if you have a reference track that's close to the overall sound you want.
     
    I use SONAR with a couple of instances of Ozone 7 in the master FX bin, saved as a template. This makes it easier to get some sonic unity in a project with multiple songs. I tend to import one mix at a time as a stereo track starting with a "standard" set of Ozone module settings, then tweak the Ozone modules for the individual songs.
     
    I am by no means an authority on this, but I've learned a lot from reading and watching videos on mastering, and even more by trial and error. For me, the most important rules are 1) don't overdo anything, and especially 2) don't be reluctant to go back to the mixing stage if mastering reveals mix problems. Once you have tracked and mixed a tune, you're often sick of it and ready to be finished. Don't give into the temptation to try to master a mix that needs fixing.
     

    SONAR Platinum
    Windows 10
    ASUS X99E WE
    Core i7 5960X  
    32 GB Corsair DDR4 2133 C13
    Fireface UFX USB driver 1.098
    GeForce GTX 950
    #12
    Jump to:
    © 2025 APG vNext Commercial Version 5.1