Good vs. Bad Mastering

[jrisreal]

Ok, I've never turned to a mastering engineer for anything, I try to do everything myself, mainly because I can't afford a professional mastering. I can't tell whether I'm good or not, though. I have no idea what a good master sounds like vs. a bad master. How would you guys be able to tell the difference between a good and bad mastering job? Sorry if I'm confusing you, I don't know a better way to explain this.

[wub]

Ok, I've never turned to a mastering engineer for anything, I try to do everything myself, mainly because I can't afford a professional mastering. I can't tell whether I'm good or not, though. I have no idea what a good master sounds like vs. a bad master. How would you guys be able to tell the difference between a good and bad mastering job? Sorry if I'm confusing you, I don't know a better way to explain this.

Again, apologies if this comes across as flippant, but have you tried using your ears?

For a laugh the other night, I put a Brickwall Compressor on the master to see the difference it made. Fucking horrible. Bass kept dropping in and out every time the threshold hit, drums sounded farty as hell, wasn't nice at all. Took it off, and the track was (obviously) quieter but I could tell the sound was better. Just because I didn't know the correct technical terms, or indeed the exact science, for what I'd done, I could instantly hear the difference it made.

[jrisreal]

Ok, I've never turned to a mastering engineer for anything, I try to do everything myself, mainly because I can't afford a professional mastering. I can't tell whether I'm good or not, though. I have no idea what a good master sounds like vs. a bad master. How would you guys be able to tell the difference between a good and bad mastering job? Sorry if I'm confusing you, I don't know a better way to explain this.

Again, apologies if this comes across as flippant, but have you tried using your ears?

For a laugh the other night, I put a Brickwall Compressor on the master to see the difference it made. Fucking horrible. Bass kept dropping in and out every time the threshold hit, drums sounded farty as hell, wasn't nice at all. Took it off, and the track was (obviously) quieter but I could tell the sound was better. Just because I didn't know the correct technical terms, or indeed the exact science, for what I'd done, I could instantly hear the difference it made.

well yes, I understand that part. thanks for the reply.
what I hear when I make my tunes sounds good to me, I just don't know how that compares with a good professional mastering job

[wub]

I just don't know how that compares with a good professional mastering job

Ok, in that case I'd suggest sending off one of your tunes to a mastering place then so you at least have an A/B reference point. There was a thread on here last week of that place doing it dirt cheap for one tune, let me see if I can find it...

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... correction


15 EUR or 30 EUR depending on how you want to do it. I know you said in the OP that you couldn't afford it, but I reckon if you were really dead set on finding out and having that A/B comparison for learning purposes, you could scrape together 15/30EUR (or whatever the $ equivalent is).

[jrisreal]

I just don't know how that compares with a good professional mastering job

Ok, in that case I'd suggest sending off one of your tunes to a mastering place then so you at least have an A/B reference point. There was a thread on here last week of that place doing it dirt cheap for one tune, let me see if I can find it...

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... correction


15 EUR or 30 EUR depending on how you want to do it. I know you said in the OP that you couldn't afford it, but I reckon if you were really dead set on finding out and having that A/B comparison for learning purposes, you could scrape together 15/30EUR (or whatever the $ equivalent is).

thanks. will think about it, probably a no-go, but I'll think about it

[Electric_Head]

Test your mastering on other systems.
It`s the only way of knowing what your mastering is like in the context of a professional system.

[jrisreal]

Test your mastering on other systems.
It`s the only way of knowing what your mastering is like in the context of a professional system.

good advice, but I'm not asking about professional systems. thanks, for trying to help, though.

[wub]

Test your mastering on other systems.
It`s the only way of knowing what your mastering is like in the context of a professional system.

good advice, but I'm not asking about professional systems. thanks, for trying to help, though.

I think Electric meant that you should try and listen to the tune that you yourself have mastered on a variety of different systems, to get a feel for how it sounds. For example, when I master I obviously listen back to the track on my studio machine, with the proper monitors. But then I burn a copy onto CD so I can listen to it through the PA system I run my CDJs through in the lounge, and in the car to see how my shitty car stereo speakers handle it.

[Electric_Head]

Test your mastering on other systems.
It`s the only way of knowing what your mastering is like in the context of a professional system.

good advice, but I'm not asking about professional systems. thanks, for trying to help, though.

I think Electric meant that you should try and listen to the tune that you yourself have mastered on a variety of different systems, to get a feel for how it sounds. For example, when I master I obviously listen back to the track on my studio machine, with the proper monitors. But then I burn a copy onto CD so I can listen to it through the PA system I run my CDJs through in the lounge, and in the car to see how my shitty car stereo speakers handle it.

Talk about totally missing the point of my post.
thanks WUB for clarifying the obvious.

[Electric_Head]

Test your mastering on other systems.
It`s the only way of knowing what your mastering is like in the context of a professional system.

you saw that part right?

[jrisreal]

Test your mastering on other systems.
It`s the only way of knowing what your mastering is like in the context of a professional system.

good advice, but I'm not asking about professional systems. thanks, for trying to help, though.

I think Electric meant that you should try and listen to the tune that you yourself have mastered on a variety of different systems, to get a feel for how it sounds. For example, when I master I obviously listen back to the track on my studio machine, with the proper monitors. But then I burn a copy onto CD so I can listen to it through the PA system I run my CDJs through in the lounge, and in the car to see how my shitty car stereo speakers handle it.

I think I understand what you mean. After I finish a tune, I usually play it through my headphones, computer speakers, speaker system in all 3 family cars, and on my friend's nice bedroom stereo system.

[RandoRando]

^ that's a good way to do it. I play my tunes on a variety of systems also. I once heard a blunt definition of mastering engineers job to be " make sure it sounds good on no matter what you playing In through" basically it's right without getting into all the technical mumbi schmumbo.

[Electric_Head]

Test your mastering on other systems.
It`s the only way of knowing what your mastering is like in the context of a professional system.

good advice, but I'm not asking about professional systems. thanks, for trying to help, though.

I think Electric meant that you should try and listen to the tune that you yourself have mastered on a variety of different systems, to get a feel for how it sounds. For example, when I master I obviously listen back to the track on my studio machine, with the proper monitors. But then I burn a copy onto CD so I can listen to it through the PA system I run my CDJs through in the lounge, and in the car to see how my shitty car stereo speakers handle it.

I think I understand what you mean. After I finish a tune, I usually play it through my headphones, computer speakers, speaker system in all 3 family cars, and on my friend's nice bedroom stereo system.

I reference my tunes everywhere I can.
And I don`t just listen to the tune and go "yeh I rock"
I actually LISTEN to all aspects and take note of how all the elements sound on each system.
Anything that specifically stands out will be eq'ed.
Anything I can`t hear will be eq'ed.

You`ll hear if bass is booming on a system you trust.
Or if your hits are too soft, etc.
It`s all about referencing the mix to other systems and the way other mixes sound on said systems.

[safeandsound]

The pre-requisites for good mastering is commenced with an accurate, full range reproduction system with large headroom.
Immense quantities of bass trapping to flatten the low frequency response of the room and standard acoustic treatment for taming mids and highs.

It can still go wrong if the engineer is no good and communication with client is weak.

[Sine69]

I just don't know how that compares with a good professional mastering job

Ok, in that case I'd suggest sending off one of your tunes to a mastering place then so you at least have an A/B reference point. There was a thread on here last week of that place doing it dirt cheap for one tune, let me see if I can find it...

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... correction


15 EUR or 30 EUR depending on how you want to do it. I know you said in the OP that you couldn't afford it, but I reckon if you were really dead set on finding out and having that A/B comparison for learning purposes, you could scrape together 15/30EUR (or whatever the $ equivalent is).

thanks. will think about it, probably a no-go, but I'll think about it

I think I saw someone on here that was offering to master tracks for free, to gain experience. So that could be an option

[wub]

I just don't know how that compares with a good professional mastering job

Ok, in that case I'd suggest sending off one of your tunes to a mastering place then so you at least have an A/B reference point. There was a thread on here last week of that place doing it dirt cheap for one tune, let me see if I can find it...

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... correction


15 EUR or 30 EUR depending on how you want to do it. I know you said in the OP that you couldn't afford it, but I reckon if you were really dead set on finding out and having that A/B comparison for learning purposes, you could scrape together 15/30EUR (or whatever the $ equivalent is).

thanks. will think about it, probably a no-go, but I'll think about it

I think I saw someone on here that was offering to master tracks for free, to gain experience. So that could be an option

Good shout Sine, forgot about that thread;

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... +mastering

[Electric_Head]

I just don't know how that compares with a good professional mastering job

Ok, in that case I'd suggest sending off one of your tunes to a mastering place then so you at least have an A/B reference point. There was a thread on here last week of that place doing it dirt cheap for one tune, let me see if I can find it...

http://www.dubstepforum.com/viewtopic.p ... correction


15 EUR or 30 EUR depending on how you want to do it. I know you said in the OP that you couldn't afford it, but I reckon if you were really dead set on finding out and having that A/B comparison for learning purposes, you could scrape together 15/30EUR (or whatever the $ equivalent is).

thanks. will think about it, probably a no-go, but I'll think about it

I think I saw someone on here that was offering to master tracks for free, to gain experience. So that could be an option

If I remember correctly, he was mastering in his dorm room.
He might offer a great service but how would you be able to reference it to your own material other than listening to his mix on other systems.
So in short, you`d be referencing his tune, your tune and a professionally mastered tune.
How would you even know if his mastering is any good?
So why bother unless he can offer you the sound quality you are sure of.

[Depone]

I do digital mastering for a good group of labels, professionals and novices. Am working for z-audio (i mastered 6 tracks on the new dubstep onslaught cd), paradise lost, viscious audio, sqnc, and many others.

I can do you an a/b clip if you like. For details head over to www.
depone.co.uk/mastering

[Moody Strings]

I do digital mastering for a good group of labels, professionals and novices. Am working for z-audio (i mastered 6 tracks on the new dubstep onslaught cd), paradise lost, viscious audio, sqnc, and many others.

I can do you an a/b clip if you like. For details head over to www.
depone.co.uk/mastering

Holy shit, I never knew Depone was on here.

Activate horny fanboy mode

[-[2]DAY_-]

sometimes i try turning up the volume on my stereo to see how loud I can push the mix without it distorting to bits. stupidly simple, but not a bad way to listen for quality of your master. obviously you want its RMS to be loud in general... not talking about the mixdown here. but if you see how it stands up to the volume knob on whatever playback system.....This can help reveal clashing frequencies and spots where headroom is an issue.