Limiting/Mastering Help

sergeastorms67 · Post by **sergeastorms67** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:07 am

Hi all,

I'm trying to master a tune i've finished to get the overall level a bit louder.

All is going well for the first section of said tune. It has a nice loud level, no pumping or any other breathing fx. As the tune progresses i dropped out a couple of parts and introduced a new element. It's at this point that the level drops dramatically (very noticably) and the nice overall feel i had is gone. I've tried tweeking controls,reading tutorials but i can't get this tune to level out.

I know it's difficult for you to help without hearing it but i would just appreciate some pointers about how you guys n gals master your tunes.

Thanks.

Ash.

AfrikaShox · Post by **AfrikaShox** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 11:45 am

I'm guessing there might be a large amount of low-frequency (bass) energy in the new element you introduce? This might cause the limiter to react strongly and cause and overall drop in volume. Try cutting some of the lower frequencies in that track and see if it helps!

sergeastorms67 · Post by **sergeastorms67** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:03 pm

It's actually a quite twinkly sound. What i've done which has helped to some extent is limit the track slowly/gently to try and get an even level throughout and then applied a compressor to get the overall level up. This worked on the problem bit i mentioned in the original post but has caused another problem at the end when i'm on the outro.

Is this the sort of process i should be trying?

I've had problems with the bass. I may go back to original mix and check whats going on.

Any more advice would be welcome. A slightly different mix to the one i'm working on is here.

http://www.myspace.com/meepmusic

The track is called Broken.

I'm aware that this mix isn't very good in the bass department but at least it's a guide to the sort of sound i'm talking about.

The twinkly sound comes in at 1.25

At 4.00 the outo starts to swell louder.

The track is called Broken.

suburbanbather · Post by **suburbanbather** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:05 pm

Yeah!, and also try it the other way around. I always keep in mind the fact the the higher the frequency range a sound is in, the less help it needs, volume wise to cut through the mix.

I like bass heavy mixes so, my suggestion may not be the best for you. But I really do believe both Afrika Shox and my suggestions should be tried.

Good luck!

sergeastorms67 · Post by **sergeastorms67** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:10 pm

Thanks to both of you.

I really want this want the bass to drive the tune but not over power the fluffier stuff on the top. (that old chestnut!)

I now feel i'm on the right track. Will try it the other way round with regards to limiter and compressor and see what happens.

If anyone else wants to put there ore in, feel free.

Thanks,

Ash.

suburbanbather · Post by **suburbanbather** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:21 pm

I'm trying to listen to your track but it keeps on buffering

Is there a way to download it? so that I can actually listen to it?

sergeastorms67 · Post by **sergeastorms67** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:28 pm

Just press stop.on the controls. and click on the word 'download' below the track name. Broken

You should be able to save it.

Ash.

suburbanbather · Post by **suburbanbather** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:35 pm

Stupid me! there is a download link below every song title

I'm listening now.

Your song is going through an M-Audio Delta 44 soundcard, a Mackie 1202 VLZ Pro Mixer(with the EQ's zeroed out), and into a pair of Event PS 8 monitors.

Not bragging, just thought it might help if I give a perspective of how I'm hearing your mix.

sergeastorms67 · Post by **sergeastorms67** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 12:37 pm

It's great that you can give me a good set of ears. (if you know what i mean)

I think that mix is lacking in bass personally. Any feedback on it would be useful actually.

suburbanbather · Post by **suburbanbather** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 1:02 pm

Ok, your heavinly like, up in the clouds pad, sounds like it needs a little bit of the lower mid range cut out(just a little bit though) I would also suggest that you lower the volume of the bleepy lead synth bleeps volume, just a smidge. And also if you have an EQ on the master mix, lower the higher ranges just a teenie tiny bit.

To me, your mix would greatly benefit from a just a little bit of cutting of the higher freqs and a just a teany tiny smidge of the lower mid range of the synths that have some bassy freqs in them cut. This should allow you to turn the master volume of the mix up a little and let the kick drum allow some more oohmph through the mix.

Again, I'll say make very small adjustments on the cutting of the higher freqs in your sounds that reside above the higher portion of the mix, leave the lower freq's alone and you should be able to bring the overall volume up.

I hope my suggestions help you out! and more importantly, have fun!!!!

suburbanbather · Post by **suburbanbather** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 1:05 pm

I'd also like to add that I'm drunk now, so you might have to read a little more carefully on my response.

Feel free to ask me any questions about any confusion on my last post.

sergeastorms67 · Post by **sergeastorms67** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 1:16 pm

hey sunbather.

Thanks for the help.

If you get time AND your sober, do you reckon you could have another listen?

Maybe just private message me?

It's safe to say that your hearing isn't going to be that great just now?

I do appreciate you help though.

Ash.

suburbanbather · Post by **suburbanbather** » Sun Jan 15, 2006 1:30 pm

sergeastorms67 wrote:hey sunbather.

Thanks for the help.

If you get time AND your sober, do you reckon you could have another listen?

Maybe just private message me?

It's safe to say that your hearing isn't going to be that great just now?

I do appreciate you help though.

Ash.

Will do!

But I still think you should give my suggestions a try.

Peace!