MASTERING!!

funky shit · Post by **funky shit** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:03 pm

Tarekith wrote:Just do it here then, so others can learn to.

no im selfish!

Yeah, I actualy havent a clue about mastering, honestly!
Is it like, starting with the final mix of the track, renderd. The you do what ever u can in your will power to give it that sound.

Or is it a whole range of shit?

nebulae · Post by **nebulae** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 7:32 pm

First, train your ears well. Go get some really well mastered songs, and I mean the CDs, not the MP3s. Then get some really good monitors, like Adam A7s, and some really good headphones. Treat your room with a lot of sound dampeners and bass traps. Then listen to those songs...analyze them in an application that shows you the audio spectrum and balance. Then compare them to mixes of your own stuff and see what needs to change.

I do think experience with audio production is very very critical for mastering, and it's hard to do this right outta the gate. Having said that, nothing is impossible, and it's admirable to aim high. I'd be curious to hear your end results and happy to give you pointers.

funky shit · Post by **funky shit** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:02 pm

nebulae wrote:First, train your ears well. Go get some really well mastered songs, and I mean the CDs, not the MP3s. Then get some really good monitors, like Adam A7s, and some really good headphones. Treat your room with a lot of sound dampeners and bass traps. Then listen to those songs...analyze them in an application that shows you the audio spectrum and balance. Then compare them to mixes of your own stuff and see what needs to change.

I do think experience with audio production is very very critical for mastering, and it's hard to do this right outta the gate. Having said that, nothing is impossible, and it's admirable to aim high. I'd be curious to hear your end results and happy to give you pointers.

thanks man!
I have class headphones! beyerdynamic DT 150's and Alesis montiors.M1 active MK2

aburgener · Post by **aburgener** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:06 pm

funky shit wrote:
Tarekith wrote:Just do it here then, so others can learn to.
no im selfish!

lol:

Yeah, I actualy havent a clue about mastering, honestly!
Is it like, starting with the final mix of the track, renderd. The you do what ever u can in your will power to give it that sound.

Or is it a whole range of shit?

I'm sorry but why would anyone want you to do their mastering for them if you don't have a clue about it?

nebulae · Post by **nebulae** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:07 pm

I've used the Alesis Mark IIs for years...they shite, but if you know them, you can do good stuff...the issue here is do you know them, and are your ears experienced enough. Also, get yourself some studio standard headphones, like AKG 240K. You're looking for really flat speakers/headphones that give you as much detail, so you can correct the mistakes.

But at the end of the day, all the equipment in the world won't help you with mastering...just do a before and after, and then send me both, and I'll tell you if you what I think is you next best move.

nebulae · Post by **nebulae** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:07 pm

aburgener wrote: I'm sorry but why would anyone want you to do their mastering for them if you don't have a clue about it?

Be nice. We all learned to crawl, then walk, then run...

aburgener · Post by **aburgener** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:10 pm

That's cool... but why charge money for it if you're still learning how to do it?

Don't get me wrong - he probably already knows a shit load more about it than I do... but I'm not volunteering to do mastering work for people for money

Not trying to be a dick...

nebulae · Post by **nebulae** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:15 pm

I know you're not trying

And I agree that it's a bit obnoxious to charge money to do something one doesn't know how to do yet. How about this...let's see what he can do without discouraging or being negative...let him prove himself first.

aburgener · Post by **aburgener** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:16 pm

Fair enough... sorry

funky shit · Post by **funky shit** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:17 pm

aburgener wrote:That's cool... but why charge money for it if you're still learning how to do it?

Don't get me wrong - he probably already knows a shit load more about it than I do... but I'm not volunteering to do mastering work for people for money

Not trying to be a dick...

I know what your saying but we all have to learn some stage!

and thanks nebulae!

Send me a track of your own unmasterd, and ill see what i can do

nebulae · Post by **nebulae** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:20 pm

ok, that sounds like a good idea...got an FTP to upload to? One critical issue for getting more work will be to set up easy transfers of HUGE files. I'll need about 200mb of space to send you a 32-bit unmastered mixdown. Then you'll need about 100mb for a mastered, dithered 16-bit, 10-minute song.

Tarekith · Post by **Tarekith** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:25 pm

I have some Alesis M1 MKII's here as well for my DJ set up. While I by far think these are the best monitors under $1000, they are in no way good enough for mastering. If nothing else they don't go nearly low enough for most dance and electronic music. Not saying it can't be done, just that you better have an alternate playback system to use to check your work on.

Sigh, ok, this topic keeps coming up again and again, so let me write my thoughts and some tips on mastering in a new thread. Give me an hour or so and check back in the general forum.

nebulae · Post by **nebulae** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:28 pm

Tarekith wrote: Sigh, ok, this topic keeps coming up again and again, so let me write my thoughts and some tips on mastering in a new thread. Give me an hour or so and check back in the general forum.

Boo hoo, gotto write another post on the new iPhone while drinking a latte and overlooking beautiful Chicago...life's rough...

funky shit · Post by **funky shit** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:29 pm

Hey nebulae! no i aint got none

Megaupload?

im absolutely shiting myself now, as i havent a clue and now i have to prove myself

way to go me

nebulae · Post by **nebulae** » Mon Sep 10, 2007 8:30 pm

totally unprofessional - you gotto have an FTP where clients can upload songs to you and you can upload your masters back...

also T is right about the monitors...I tend to listen back on various other rooms, and systems, so I can detect an accurate mix, so work that into your plan