• Software
  • Melda Plugs for the next 4 days... (p.3)
2014/07/26 18:08:44
bitflipper
My default project template's chain is Pro-Q -> Ozone -> SPAN, but it doesn't always stay that way. 
 
I'll customize my mastering chain depending on the song, so no two projects are alike. Ozone will be in there maybe 60% of the time, although I may substitute Pro-L for limiting and Saturn for its harmonic exciter. I almost never use Ozone's EQ anymore, and the stereo widener only rarely.
 
Nowadays MSpectralDynamics will almost always be in there somewhere, but not necessarily on the master bus. Taking a look at my current project, I see I have only Pro-L on the master, just to catch stray peaks. All the action is happening on individual busses:
    instrument bus: Pro-Q -> Saturn -> MSpectralDynamics -> Ozone
    vocal bus: MDynamicEQ -> Pro-C
        (why both? Pro-C is just for de-essing)
    drum bus: Pro-L -> instruments bus 
    master: Pro-L, no boost, only sporadic compression on a few loud drum hits
 
It may seem strange to have two instances of Pro-L in series, but they're doing two different jobs. The one on the master isn't doing much at all, it's just my goalie.
 
Yesterday's project was quite different:
    instrument bus: Pro-Q -> MSpectralDynamics (used for ducking, not EQ)
    vocal bus: naked
    drum bus: naked
    master: MSpectralDynamics -> Ozone
 
 
Pulled up one from three days ago, it's different, too:
    instruments: Pro-Q -> Pro-C -> Ozone -> MSpectralDynamics -> MDynamicEQ
         (Why two equalizers? MDynamicEQ is not used for EQ, but for ducking)
         (Why Pro-C and MSD? The first is for M/S widening, MSD is for spectral smoothing)
    vocals: Pro-C -> MDynamicEQ
    drums: Pro-Q
    master: MCompressor -> Pro-L
 
I sometimes wonder why I can't be more consistent. It would simplify things. But no two songs are alike.
2014/07/27 13:39:39
smallstonefan
Bit,
 
So are you using Ozone on individual busses, not just the mastering bus? very interesting!
 
i'm playing with your mastering starting point now. I have always used Ozone, but I created a new chain last night that looked like this:
 
  1. MSpectralDynamics
  2. Waves LinMB Stereo. I did this based on the videos Mastering in the Box on Groove 3. Maybe unnecessary with the MSD in front of it, but it seems to make a positive impact.
  3. Ozone 5 (for Exciter Going to try Ozone 4 today based on your previous comments)
  4. Ozone 5 (for stereo imaging - same instances as above just putting separate in this list)
  5. Slate Digital FG-X for limiting
I used a trick I just learned up stairs for A/Bing FX Chains and I really like this chain better than the settings I was using in Ozone 5! First time I've manually mastered and gotten better results that tweaking presets in Ozone - feeling pretty stoked. :)
 
Off to play with this a bit more and to try on some other tracks. I will say I have a fast computer, and I don't know if it's MSD or something else, but I've had to really increase my latency and if I turn effects on and off a lot things get out of sync and I have to stop (space bar) and restart audio to get going again...
 
 
2014/07/27 14:26:16
Eddie TX
Bit man, thanks for posting all those tips ... I've been playing with MSD more, and while it's certainly a useful plugin, I haven't yet found something that it does that I can't already do with multi-band comps, dynamic EQs, and other such tools.   I just haven't found that "killer app" for it yet.  But I look forward to your in-depth analysis, which I'm sure will be a very good read.
 
BTW, that issue I had with artifacts seems to have been caused by the AGC function.  Turning it off solved it. 
 
Cheers,
Eddie
2014/07/27 14:34:12
cclarry
smallstonefan
Yes it does. I would like to change my avatar but that feature has been broken for me for weeks.



Same here SS, and they don't really seem to care if they fix it or not...
I know they are completely aware of it...but haven't fixed it...so...

Oh well...it is what it is...
2014/07/27 15:33:12
Kroneborge
I'm going to have to check out this spectral dynamics.  Do the bundles ever come on sale?
2014/07/27 15:36:06
scook
Several of the bundles went on sale this month @ 50% off. Historically, there have been 50% off bundles sales near year end.
2014/07/27 15:40:59
cclarry
I've been to the Site at least 5 times today and I haven't seen any Bundles on sale...

Where are you seeing these at?

http://www.meldaproduction.com/download.php
2014/07/27 15:43:06
scook
Like all the sales this month, bundles were only on sale for a few days. There are no bundles on sale today.
2014/07/27 15:45:50
cclarry
scook
Like all the sales this month, bundles were only on sale for a few days. There are no bundles on sale today.



Derh...my bad...sorry...I read your post as "this morning"....sorry scook! 
2014/07/27 16:49:53
Kroneborge
Ok, I'm definitly going to keep these on my watch list then
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