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miro · 27th June 2009

I'm doing techno music since many years but there's something I never figured out:

I've noticed that "professional" mastering waveform mostly look balanced while they're still loud (compared to an average loudness in that genre) although in breakdown parts where most of the beat goes away (esp. kickdrum) the waveform is definitely below the max. at 0dB!
In other words: when the kickdrum is not there the waveform decreases around 3-5 dB at least.

My problem when i master for myself (need it for unreleased tracks when playing live) using some EQ, maybe a bit comp and a limiter at the end (never extremely!), the parts where the kickdrum is gone (often hihat+snare or clap still going) the waveform is still too high because the limiter pulls up hihat+snare or clap too much

I can't imagine that most ME's in that genre work with limiter automations or something similar. Is it an EQ thing? Should i reduce the high end or upper mids after pushing the treshold on the limiter?

My mixing skills aren't bad at all and the original waveforms look as the should. it's just after doing my personal mastering!

hope someone has a little advice

thanks alot!

27th June 2009	#1
miro Lives for gear Joined: Jun 2009 Location: Berlin Posts: 2,022 Thread Starter	Limiting / Waveform differences? I'm doing techno music since many years but there's something I never figured out: I've noticed that "professional" mastering waveform mostly look balanced while they're still loud (compared to an average loudness in that genre) although in breakdown parts where most of the beat goes away (esp. kickdrum) the waveform is definitely below the max. at 0dB! In other words: when the kickdrum is not there the waveform decreases around 3-5 dB at least. My problem when i master for myself (need it for unreleased tracks when playing live) using some EQ, maybe a bit comp and a limiter at the end (never extremely!), the parts where the kickdrum is gone (often hihat+snare or clap still going) the waveform is still too high because the limiter pulls up hihat+snare or clap too much I can't imagine that most ME's in that genre work with limiter automations or something similar. Is it an EQ thing? Should i reduce the high end or upper mids after pushing the treshold on the limiter? My mixing skills aren't bad at all and the original waveforms look as the should. it's just after doing my personal mastering! hope someone has a little advice thanks alot!