I ve Got a Question for You

[subframe]

I'll use a multiband comp as a finishing tool.

But if I was going to send a tune for mastering, I'd take the multiband comp off, let the mastering engineer do it.

[jamminb]

Does anyone compare their unreleased tracks to released tracks?
I noticed someone in this forum uses a multiband comp on their mixes how common is that?
Thanks
Jason

When i mix down a track i comp it to something similar just to make sure it's sounding ok.

It definatly helps to have something to compare to, sometimes I'll just mix it as I want it though....sometimes this brings out the more unusual sounding stuff

Multiband compression can do wonders if you no what your doing...for me it just doesn't work as I don't have the confidence in technique.

[elemental]

1,Where do you (Or did you) learn about the art of production/ mixdown and who do you take advice from?

Mostly self taught, though I was lucky to have a music teacher that was feeling jungle! - He was a big inspiration to me, and he got in some Roland keyboards and Atari STs in when I was about 13-14, I was trying to replicate the sounds of hardcore + jungle.. with little success but I learnt a lot trying.

Sampling/synthesis based production came later when I got my own PC and my first sampler. I learnt a lot also from doing work experience at a studio in Holloway Rd where a man called Pete Parsons worked (he engineered a *lot* of Jungle/DnB)

Proper mixdowns were only possible when I first got a copy of Cubase VST back around 2001 - before that I was mixing inside the sampler (Akai S2000).

Learnt from a combination of working with a mate, and also a fair few tips off the Grid on Dogs On Acid. But mostly from experience.

2,How long (average) do you take to mixdown a track?

Depends - like others here I tend to mix as I go along, and then just adjust from there - mainly with low cut, saturation, eq and a touch of compression where needed. Sometimes I'll bring all the faders down and start the mix from scratch, but not often these days. Ideally, after finishing a tune I give it a day or 2 and then do a proper mixdown. But sometimes I'll just give it to a few peeps as a rough version and then leave until someones interested in releasing before I go deep on the mix - all depends on the track and how much time I got.

[i978]

Does anyone compare their unreleased tracks to released tracks?
I noticed someone in this forum uses a multiband comp on their mixes how common is that?
Thanks
Jason

I always compare my tracks with released tracks during the final stages of the mix. When I've been working on a track for ages my ears get used to the same sounds and tend not to notice if an element is too loud/quiet or if things are getting a bit muddy. A/B-ing my track with a releasd track just gives me a point of reference.

I do sometimes use a multiband or a limiter on my tracks - as well as some eq. Essentially, I do some low-grade DIY mastering. If I was going to get anything cut then I would take them out.

[doomstep]

Been messing with computer beats for well over 10 years. Started out ona ex-govt 486 IBM & Impulse Tracker (Mono 8 bit sampler/seq) Mostly makin Hardcore/Breakcore & wierd hip hop beats - recording to cassettes cos you couldnt render on that system.

Went sideways through recording/producing/mixing FOH for HxC & Metal bands - learnt ALOT about working with other people & mic placement / acoustics.

I've used everything & anything since then - but rarelly save anything - proper quick on software now but

Proper mixdowns - including tracking out parts - usually takes about 2-3 days of 8-12 hr sessions.

Now, I've got a question for Jason.

Over the last 6 months I've realized the benefits of keeping digital gain stages peaking around -6db.

In logic for example no signal on a track peaks higher than -6db & when I go into the box I never peak higher than -6db.

All recordings at 24bit/44.1kHz ( G4 lappy cant handle 88/96kHz )

My question is; If I where to deliver a master 2 track to you as ME with peaks around -6db is that over quiet? Should I push the 2 buss so its peaking closer to 0db or isit better if you've got that headroom to work with?

Edit:

yep, always cross referance aganist 'bought ones'

[batfink]

I'll use a multiband comp as a finishing tool.

But if I was going to send a tune for mastering, I'd take the multiband comp off, let the mastering engineer do it.

ditto. L3 does wonders as long as you don;t go crazy.

I tend to mix stuff as i go along, but my general rule is keep the drums peaking about -6db and the bass about -6db (half the available headroom each as i understand it) and then work from there with everything else to see what sounds right.

one thing i've found useful is swapping between Shure earphones and my monitors. The Shure earphones i;ve got (Se210s) arent very forgiving so if there any nasty freq peaks it helps draw attention to them straightaway. After i'm happy with the balance i'll A/B with similar professionally mastered tunes just to see if im on the right lines.

[jtransition]

Now, I've got a question for Jason.
Over the last 6 months I've realized the benefits of keeping digital gain stages peaking around -6db.
In logic for example no signal on a track peaks higher than -6db & when I go into the box I never peak higher than -6db.
All recordings at 24bit/44.1kHz ( G4 lappy cant handle 88/96kHz Embarassed
My question is; If I where to deliver a master 2 track to you as ME with peaks around -6db is that over quiet? Should I push the 2 buss so its peaking closer to 0db or isit better if you've got that headroom to work with?

Using -6dbsf is a very good level for individual channels and by keeping the stereo channels at -6dbfs you have the best of both worlds.This is a perfect level to bring something in to be mastered.
With these computer systems its all about headroom especially when recording at 24bit.
Jason

[metalboxproducts]

Jason.
Can you pass on any basic tips for mastering? All i do is add a little limiting and cut with a little bit of eq to tighten every thing up. Does this sound like the right thing to be doing? I'm aware that each track requires different approuches, but are there any things you could sugest that would help.

Cheers


Tim

[jtransition]

Can you pass on any basic tips for mastering? All i do is add a little limiting and cut with a little bit of eq to tighten every thing up. Does this sound like the right thing to be doing? I'm aware that each track requires different approches, but are there any things you could sugest that would help.
Cheers
Tim

Tim,
Below is the best explanation of mastering that i have ever read.
Jason
''Mastering is all about tweaking the final presentation of a mix to fit the context of the album, the genre and the marketplace. Often it's simply correcting unintended timbrel coloration caused by particular monitors and equalizers. The main tool is monitoring that is good enough to tell when to leave it alone or to hear which gear to use and what settings help more than they hurt.'' (Bob Olhsson)

[Sharmaji]

these days, if i have the time, i try to mix less and less during the 'writing' phase, and bounce every channel down to stereo audio files for the mixdown. i find it really works better for me and i get a fuller, cleaner, better sounding mix... as well as a more interesting song. worry about the right thing @ the right time, right? In writing, i want to create something emotionally powerful. in mixing, i want to present it.

also, in logic i keep the pre-fader level metering on, and keep the master fader at 0 with the master peaking at -6 to -3. keeping the individual channels from clipping, and keeping the master bus open like that, has made my mixes sound a hell of a lot better with a lot less work.

in the mix stage, the best results for me come from large-scale things... less fiddly shit on each channel, but processing the drums in parallel.

[metalboxproducts]

Can you pass on any basic tips for mastering? All i do is add a little limiting and cut with a little bit of eq to tighten every thing up. Does this sound like the right thing to be doing? I'm aware that each track requires different approches, but are there any things you could sugest that would help.
Cheers
Tim

Tim,
Below is the best explanation of mastering that i have ever read.
Jason
''Mastering is all about tweaking the final presentation of a mix to fit the context of the album, the genre and the marketplace. Often it's simply correcting unintended timbrel coloration caused by particular monitors and equalizers. The main tool is monitoring that is good enough to tell when to leave it alone or to hear which gear to use and what settings help more than they hurt.'' (Bob Olhsson)

[doomstep]

Using -6dbsf is a very good level for individual channels and by keeping the stereo channels at -6dbfs you have the best of both worlds.This is a perfect level to bring something in to be mastered.
With these computer systems its all about headroom especially when recording at 24bit.
Jason

Nice one. Thanks for clearing that up for me.

One thing I noticed right away is how much better plug-ins sounded once I'd eased back on the levels

in the mix stage, the best results for me come from large-scale things... less fiddly shit on each channel, but processing the drums in parallel.

Totally. Right with you about seperating writing & mixing as well bro.

[osk]

I've only been doing this a couple of years but it seems mixing while you go is the best way. I don't know how else you're meant to do it. How can you have an idea how everything will fit if everything is just mushing around with everything else?

[blk plague]

1,Where do you (Or did you) learn about the art of production/ mixdown and who do you take advice from?
2,How long (average) do you take to mixdown a track?

Just curious
Jason

i started going to school to be an audio engineer in 98 but i found myslef in a weak program so i dropped out. i was pretty much self taught along with observing/working with producers such as the neurologists and develop-look em up on myspace if you havent. by 2002 i had moved to the uk and met pat whelan and johan from stacs of stamina who was attending sae. i learned a few things from them. also, trial and error alot of trial and error. i have friend who knows kanye west and took some advise from what kanye told him and this forum. i take as long as i have to to mixdown a track but average time is 16-24 hours.