What do you use to master your tracks? Mine are not loud enough coming directly out of Caustic export. I have room to increase the volume but it creates distortion, even though I'm not redlining.
Yeah have the same problem, a lot of twiddling the mixer rack volume knobs, trial and error for me as I don't know how to use limiters and compressors properly but like some "muddyness" in my work.
My basic model, and I can send you one if you want it.... goes like this:
Master Section:
IFX 1 = Compressor, adjust to taste, but not "pumping"
IFX2 = Multi-Filter , LowShelf, Just a few clicks from Minimum frequency, no Reso, Gain approx +2 to +3db (any and all bass channels including kicks, cut the Low EQ in those mixer channels by -2 to -3db)
Master EQ, adjust to taste.... most likely a moderate boost of LowShelf X-Over approx 150Hz (near the 10:00 position) Mids leave flat, adjust Highs to taste (sweep freq to Max) -- Limiter? I generally don't use it if my mix is solid -- Adjust Master Fader to taste, watch for excessive clipping (occasional clipping is ok, if it don't hear the affected tone as you listen)
Master Reverb: Stereo Spread and Delay settings to MAX
This is good for starters; but like I've said in other threads regarding things like this, is that your mix needs to be very good from the start of your finalization process to make your final product sound crisp and energetic. I hope to have more information and goodies about this on my site coming this Spring season (http://www.eipso.com/?q=node/53)
I use Audio Evolution to master exported stems from Caustic. I usually export 3 stems..drums, bass, and everything else.
AE now has Toneboosters Barricade which is a v nice transparent limiter and Toneboosters EQ which is a proper parametric with live spectrum overlay. Also the toneboosters reverb and the AE reverb are pretty good.
I treat each stem individually in AE, then mix down and do a final bit of processing on the master.
Edit - these plugins are paid addons btw
Yea, i just found out about ae's paid plugins i thought it was all built in audio evolution don't really give u anything of the sort thru google play sooooo kinda not my top investment.
I have some other ideas, and when I get time, I will post up some SongFile Templates to help get you started -- I think I have a few StartUps from my Builderz DSP ToolBox Caustic Warriors Edition package here:
There are some threads here on mastering if you search, but basically you want to use more of compressors, limiters and the master eq.
My Soundcloud profile is _dredge_
Yeah have the same problem, a lot of twiddling the mixer rack volume knobs, trial and error for me as I don't know how to use limiters and compressors properly but like some "muddyness" in my work.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZQbyz0GaXVr1_cN7OI1Dtg
https://soundcloud.com/jose-habanero
My basic model, and I can send you one if you want it.... goes like this:
Master Section:
IFX 1 = Compressor, adjust to taste, but not "pumping"
IFX2 = Multi-Filter , LowShelf, Just a few clicks from Minimum frequency, no Reso, Gain approx +2 to +3db (any and all bass channels including kicks, cut the Low EQ in those mixer channels by -2 to -3db)
Master EQ, adjust to taste.... most likely a moderate boost of LowShelf X-Over approx 150Hz (near the 10:00 position) Mids leave flat, adjust Highs to taste (sweep freq to Max) -- Limiter? I generally don't use it if my mix is solid -- Adjust Master Fader to taste, watch for excessive clipping (occasional clipping is ok, if it don't hear the affected tone as you listen)
Master Reverb: Stereo Spread and Delay settings to MAX
This is good for starters; but like I've said in other threads regarding things like this, is that your mix needs to be very good from the start of your finalization process to make your final product sound crisp and energetic. I hope to have more information and goodies about this on my site coming this Spring season (http://www.eipso.com/?q=node/53)
Nice one Jason. My master rack is nothing like that so be good to see what i can learn from that set up.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZQbyz0GaXVr1_cN7OI1Dtg
https://soundcloud.com/jose-habanero
I actually finished a track recently and was going to try to master it tonight... Lots of free stuff out there...
Found the stuff below on BPB, was gonna look into that.
http://bedroomproducersblog.com/2013/06/26/free-mastering-software/
Also found this on modernmixing.com
http://modernmixing.com/blog/2013/07/07/mastering-a-track-with-free-plugins/
And a couple of youtube videos on the subject (first one is modernmixing.com also):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnqwLIDHTmY
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQV8in2lnVA
Hopefully I can finish it over the weekend and share it with the world...
Cheers!
Good suggestions for mastering within Caustic I will try. Anyone using something on PC like SoundForge?
https://soundcloud.com/xstrom
Good info Jason.
my_soundcloud
I'm trying these tips and it's working pretty well. Thanks Jason.
https://soundcloud.com/xstrom
I use Audio Evolution to master exported stems from Caustic. I usually export 3 stems..drums, bass, and everything else.
AE now has Toneboosters Barricade which is a v nice transparent limiter and Toneboosters EQ which is a proper parametric with live spectrum overlay. Also the toneboosters reverb and the AE reverb are pretty good.
I treat each stem individually in AE, then mix down and do a final bit of processing on the master.
Edit - these plugins are paid addons btw
Yea, i just found out about ae's paid plugins i thought it was all built in audio evolution don't really give u anything of the sort thru google play sooooo kinda not my top investment.
I have some other ideas, and when I get time, I will post up some SongFile Templates to help get you started -- I think I have a few StartUps from my Builderz DSP ToolBox Caustic Warriors Edition package here:
http://www.singlecellsoftware.com/node/6582
I used to make some kind of patterns in the equalizer, not even caring about the frequencies and stuff.
and stuff.
I use saturate effect in master section. Set pre and post to about halfway and wet level about 1-5 % and a limiter to set it all up at a finite level.
Not a bad call.