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mastering really shouldn't be done unless it's going to be released.
if your mixdown is solid enough that's what you should be sending about

VirtualMark wrote:even if you're a fully qualified mastering engineer, someone else should really master your own tunes. the idea is that they will look at it objectively, which you can't do as you've been working on it for ages and it means something to you. always good to get a fresh pair of ears on it.

+1

Also another thing about mastering is that a great, professional mastering engineer will make sure that your mastered track will sound consistent and strong on any playback medium - whether it's computer speakers, audiophile hi-fi setups or a club soundsystem. That's the advantage of taking it to someone who has a specially tuned room and full range speakers who can really hear every nuance and detail in your mixdown, even stuff you never even heard when you were producing it!

subfect wrote:great post dude. I'd also like to add that if your mixdowns are phenomenal - you don't need to master them.

yes and no:)
mastering is not necessary about 'tweaking' mix,
mainly it's a sound quality check, made in perfect acoustical environment, by skilled and experienced person
if mix is great - that's very important, but what about sequencing whole album - 12 tracks with 5 great mixes, 4 ok and 3 not so?

This needs to go riiiggghhtttt......here

He starts so well, but I had to switch off before I threw my laptop at the wall

*rant stopped before it gets going*

lmao @ "Mow-No" (vs. stereo)

macc wrote:He starts so well, but I had to switch off before I threw my laptop at the wall

*rant stopped before it gets going*

don't hold back. I want to hear some interesting knowledge get spilled here

'Keep it simple' ...... a few minutes later there's an eq, some width stuff, a Waves L3 Multimaximiser - the sonic equivalent of smearing blancmange on your track - involved.

'We've got a great mix'

but

'If I turn down the sound I can see that I need to add more bass, scoop out the mids and flatten the response' - you couldn't tell that by hearing it?

'I need to increase my spectrum' - I think that's the quote, I couldn't stand to watch it again. THAT DOESN'T EVEN MEAN ANYTHING.

macc wrote: 'If I turn down the sound I can see that I need to add more bass, scoop out the mids and flatten the response' - you couldn't tell that by hearing it?

'I need to increase my spectrum' - I think that's the quote, I couldn't stand to watch it again. THAT DOESN'T EVEN MEAN ANYTHING.

i always like a bit more spectrum added to my tunes.

about the turning the volume down - i read that you should check your mix both loudly and quietly? is there truth in this?

macc wrote:'Keep it simple' ...... a few minutes later there's an eq, some width stuff, a Waves L3 Multimaximiser - the sonic equivalent of smearing blancmange on your track - involved.

'We've got a great mix'

but

'If I turn down the sound I can see that I need to add more bass, scoop out the mids and flatten the response' - you couldn't tell that by hearing it?

'I need to increase my spectrum' - I think that's the quote, I couldn't stand to watch it again. THAT DOESN'T EVEN MEAN ANYTHING.

Lol, I love those U tube vids,
this is a col guy with nice tie and shirt:)
I think I need to increase my spectrum too:))
maybe he meant RECTUM ?

VirtualMark wrote:

macc wrote:
about the turning the volume down - i read that you should check your mix both loudly and quietly? is there truth in this?

yes....do some reading on fletcher/munson curves.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fletcher%E ... son_curves

Basically as you raise or lower the volume, your ear responds differently to the audible spectrum.

You're missing the point: He turns it down to prove that he can check it with his eyes.

There are plenty of reasons to check mixes at all levels, Fletcher-Munson aside.

Noisestorm wrote:It has absolutely NO mastering processes on it, yet it sounds loud and clear. All from processing each instrument at a time!

It simply sounds like a stem mastering with a limiter inserted on each stem. As soon as you use a limiter you're in the mastering. Simply because the limiter, if any, must be the last stage of the audio chain. Using it just prevents any further serious mastering job.
But I agree with you when telling that the mix is the key of a good production. Mastering is just there to make it shine.

macc wrote:You're missing the point:

not sure what point I'm missing. I can't watch the video at work

I was only suggesting it as reason to vary level while mixing or mastering

laurend wrote:

Noisestorm wrote:It has absolutely NO mastering processes on it, yet it sounds loud and clear. All from processing each instrument at a time!

It simply sounds like a stem mastering with a limiter inserted on each stem. As soon as you use a limiter you're in the mastering. Simply because the limiter, if any, must be the last stage of the audio chain. Using it just prevents any further serious mastering job.
But I agree with you when telling that the mix is the key of a good production. Mastering is just there to make it shine.

yes and now
JJ Puig use limiters on many tracks durnig mixing,
I am not famous mixer (yet:) but I tend to use limiter sometimes on drums or bass, or guitars during mix, to give it 'that sound'
stem mastering with limiter on every stem - what a bad idea:(

Nothing wrong with using a limiter on groups/stems/whatever in the mix.

HOW you use them is the critical point.

Some good points there,

I think generally if you finish you mix with the attitude of "well it can probably be fixed in the mastering" you are always selling yourself short, I guess it's a confidence thing, sometimes you just need another set of ears to tell you what's not working, and in that case some MEs will happily just give you a few pointers of how to best apply that to the MIX and therefore the final product becomes greater than the sum of it's original parts

Thanks for this. I learned this a while ago but I forgot about it.

Thanks Noisestorm soo much. First I just want to say that I am so grateful that you spent the time to tell us and reply and secondly one question. How long do you reckon it should take for a mixdown to be finished because at the moment it has taken me approximately a month and a half to mix to the stage where I am at but here is the thing. I dont know how to make each sound fit and sound the clearest any tips on that? and if you could tell me a good audio interface to invest in that would make my day even better . By the way I am thinking of investing in this one: http://global.focusrite.com/usb-audio-i ... arlett-8i6. Amazing work and so happy to talk to my inspiration to music, keep at it and never stop .