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I'm trying to be more complete with my production. Currently I only use my sequencer ( reason 2.5 ) for everything, then put my tunes up for others to listen to, but I feel like i'm missing some steps.

What I want to know is what stages or different steps most people take before they put there tunes up. For example : sequencer - eq software - mastering software- etc...

I'm not looking for which software to use, but more specifically people to say ' After I finish my tune in the sequencer I then export it to _____ then...

Hopfully this is clear.

well im not that good but after the sequencer and effects i save each instrument as a 16 bar wave then load it as an audio file and build my track with those that way it takes less ram and i can re effect some things but right now i am working on a ten year old computer so i kinda have to to get things finished but i can defiantly notice the difference in the quality of my work

finish tune

render wav

start new project in the same folder

import the rendered wav (split channels for stereo spreading)

pan the L track -75 and the R track +75

compress with 4 way comp / limiter

watch the meters and the scope

add salt & pepper to taste

i like to take my tunes out for a fancy dinner.. maybe sushi. with plenty of sake.. to get her all liquored up. then i take my tune home and gently caress her curves with some light compression. i like to EQ her and dip out some of the more harsh zones. then i'll push her all the way to -3db and then it's like whoa.

write song in logic, using whatever manner of plugs and recordings, etc, etc. or in collabo w/ someone else on a different platform, no matter. make sure that nothing's clipping too bad, etc.

bounce everything to audio.

open a new session, only audio, for mixing.

mix.

slap on a limiter and eq (maybe) to get it super-loud.

play it out a few times, see how things react.

decide i like it.

send to turnstyle to get cut.

in general, if you're sending your tunes out to folks and they like it, keep a non-limited version around so that, if they want to cut it, they can use that one. depends on the cutting house they go to.

FSTZ wrote:finish tune

render wav

import the rendered wav (split channels for stereo spreading)

pan the L track -75 and the R track +75

are you producing / rendering the finished track in mono ?

no

just giving a nice stereo spread on the tune

FSTZ wrote:no

just giving a nice stereo spread on the tune

Didn't try it yet but it sounds ace. I wondered how some tracks have such nice stereo field.
Cheers for that!

FSTZ wrote:
pan the L track -75 and the R track +75

This sounds kinda interesting, might have to try this in future.

I've got a weird way of working things, goes like this

Make basic structure of track in Live --> Render all of the stems to mix down in Reaper --> Bring eq'd and compressed stems back into Live --> live-style dubbing, sending things to echoes, reverbs and phasers, drop some things in and out etc --> render master.

(but then i don't really make dubstep)

I don't tend to apply any mastering to my stuff because frankly i fuck it up really badly when i try, and i'm still learning how to mixdown properly but i will occasionally eq the master a bit and sometimes (very very rarely) put a compressor on there. Would like to look into learning a bit more about it when i have the time.

I've heard people say they put a chorus on the master bus, but that sounds totally insane (particularly with the low end in mind)

Might try that sometime, at least on the higher frequencies

FSTZ wrote:finish tune

render wav

start new project in the same folder

import the rendered wav (split channels for stereo spreading)

pan the L track -75 and the R track +75

compress with 4 way comp / limiter

watch the meters and the scope

add salt & pepper to taste

You need to explain further. I don't really get the point of the "stereo spreading". By not panning the tracks hard left and right ( like they already are in a stereo track) are you not bringing the stereo field closer together? I must be missing something.

abZ wrote:

FSTZ wrote:finish tune

render wav

start new project in the same folder

import the rendered wav (split channels for stereo spreading)

pan the L track -75 and the R track +75

compress with 4 way comp / limiter

watch the meters and the scope

add salt & pepper to taste

You need to explain further. I don't really get the point of the "stereo spreading". By not panning the tracks hard left and right ( like they already are in a stereo track) are you not bringing the stereo field closer together? I must be missing something.

EDIT: [here was some stupid text.]

abZ wrote: You need to explain further. I don't really get the point of the "stereo spreading". By not panning the tracks hard left and right ( like they already are in a stereo track) are you not bringing the stereo field closer together? I must be missing something.

+1

... doesnt make sense that way.

FSTZ wrote:

finish tune

render wav

start new project in the same folder

import the rendered wav (split channels for stereo spreading)

pan the L track -75 and the R track +75

compress with 4 way comp / limiter

watch the meters and the scope

add salt & pepper to taste

i think its so, that you just widen the gap between both channels, so it will sound "more stereo"

all of which could sound horrible on a club system in mono.

I didn't answer this because I wanted people to try it

yes,

this technique is great for adding a nice stereo spread to your tune

sequence tune in cubase sx3 or renoise
render all hardware synth/sampler stuff used to audio
eq while working on tune keeping a spectral analyzer on main channel and using ears (handy lil tools)
try my best to make sure the overall mix doesn't hit above 0.0 db and if it does clipping isn't audibly noticeable/unpleasant on the ears
when complete bounce all lanes to audio (sometimes do this while working on project to save cpu due to greedy plugins or to and more automation to heavily automated parts)
open a new project to eq to the best of my ability
maybe a little vintage warmer/tape saturation on main channel, but generally avoid any limiting on main channel
test mixdown on home listening system and pa speakers
go back and fix anything that sticks out
rinse repeat

edit: also should note i usually take a day or two break from when i'm happy with the initial mixdown of composition before working on the audio file mixdown project
sometimes (well for me most of the time) it's better to approach with a fresh set of ears