Mastering Discussion

[Mark Richards]

This mix had three different stereo plate reverb FX busses (vox buss, guitars buss, and vox+guitars on the master buss) each set to different pre-delays.

At the mastering stage, I had been trying various multi-band compression configurations to give the vocals a bit of polish, and wasn't hearing what I wanted. So I set them aside to try a mid-range dynamic EQ instead. The vocals took on just enough crispness to make them a bit clearer; but the reverb tail's clarity really surprised me too. Suddenly that clear tail just popped out, pleasantly spread around/behind the entire sound stage. Still, I played around with the various parameters; but ended up returning to the original pre-sets provided by Finalizer.

Serendipity.

 

[-mjk-]

This week, Streaky released another video that will explain a lot about compression. I've taken 2 of Streaky's courses and they are well worth it.

 

[-mjk-]

I highly recommend using some kind of room correction software, such as Sonarworks. That can help avoid chasing the wind.

If you like to Master with Ozone, I also recommend using the Stabilizer module, set manually. In fact, I never use the settings suggested by the Assistant; I set up my chain manually according to what I hear.

In the mid 80s I had a VW Golf Wolfsburg Edition that sounded so good I wanted to replicate it down in Studio C as a listening room!