My mastering process
Per master takes 1 hour
* Listen to the clients mix.
* Set up audio track in DAW.
* Address mix.
- With 'in the box' and 'analog out board' processing.
* This can be:
- Eq-ing(filtering),
- Eq-ing L/R,
- Compression,
- Standard compression,
- Parallel compression,
- Multiband compression,
- Adjusting the stereo image,
- Special fx,
- DAW automation,
- Final limiting.
Common mixing problems I have to fix !
1. Vocals - One of the most important areas of a mix is the lead vocal. In today's music the lead vocal
is nearly always upfront in the mix and very present. Tips to achieve this: I will cut all the low freq.
Anything below 120 hz. Sometimes even upto 150 hz. I always compress vocals to a degree. Don't have
the attack on the compressor too fast. But a have a fast release. Ratio try 4:1. Reverb try a nice plate. Keep
the reverb quite low as alot of reverb will push the vocal back in the mix. Listen to the vocal on its own,
sweep through the frequencies with a parametric eq. Reduce any nasty sounding frequencies if you can
hear any. When boosting frequencies for presence start by boosting around 10khz.
Automation in your DAW. Help your compressor out by automating the volume. So if a word dips or is
too loud in volume, ride the volume up and down and automate.
When you start adding reverb, compression and eq boosts. The S's in the vocal become more prominent.
This has to be tamed. For this you'll need a de-esser plugin. Lastly think about the space where your
vocal sits. The lead vocal should be in the center of the mix. So try to pan instruments away from the
center, leaving space for the lead vocal. Hope these tips help now try them out !!!
2. Bass and kick - Coming soon
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