compressing master track

Mastering101 · 15th August 2004

i just unloaded my finalizer 96k.. i really didnt like mastering
with it. it always seemed like a dragged out fight..im thinking my masters would sound better without it...i wondering how many of you compress your master track??? i compress individual tracks
with a couple of distressors with all the mods and im wondering if i should run my master track through it?. i havent run one through it yet because my studio is down for upgrades..maybe this is just too much compression. should i just leave it at the individual tracks and not compress the master track or should
i consider a mastering compressor. i was looking at a tube tech
smc 2a...thank you for any reply's in advance

Mastering101 · 15th August 2004

help

jazzius II · 15th August 2004

Compress for a reason....

Mastering101 · 15th August 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by jazzius II
Compress for a reason....

that is good advice..but when you compress do you find yourself
compressing individual tracks more or a master track..thank you!!!

Wolfgang · 15th August 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by effectsnut
that is good advice..but when you compress do you find yourself
compressing individual tracks more or a master track..thank you!!!

Just experiment ... you're ears should give you the answer. Must remember, there are no rules.

jazzius II · 15th August 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by effectsnut
that is good advice..but when you compress do you find yourself
compressing individual tracks more or a master track..thank you!!!

I don't mix (much) so couldn't answer that directly.....but i'd guess that a good mixer would reply: "Depends".......depends on the situation.....depends what you're trying to achieve......leaving all the tracks very dynamic and compressing the 2-buss will have a very different sound from compressing the tracks while having no 2-buss compression......try it both ways.....and don't forget to ask yourself why you're compressing occasionally!

NeoVXR · 15th August 2004

compressing 10 tracks and one master has 11 reasons! or not...
tutt

to plan a chain of 3 or more compressions (channel, master, radio) is a very technical thing, esp. regarding transients and sound-shaping attributes of compression.

further more, limiting is much more nonlinear than compression (said with simple words, it means ~infinite compression factor) and plays its own role. the distinction needs to be considered, independently of the particular device that may have both features.

Jules · 16th August 2004

Compress first, ask questions later!

Revelation · 16th August 2004

Many compress at mastering to gel everything together and to just control the peaks. While mulitiband compressors do it best, some like the Manley MU although is a single channel compressor. The reason is the smoothness it adds to the tracks. However I would not recommend it for dance music as the low end will cause it to react to strongly to the mid and high's. You can adjust the attack to mid fast which would help though.

thethrillfactor · 16th August 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by Revelation
Many compress at mastering to gel everything together and to just control the peaks. While mulitiband compressors do it best, some like the Manley MU although is a single channel compressor. The reason is the smoothness it adds to the tracks. However I would not recommend it for dance music as the low end will cause it to react to strongly to the mid and high's. You can adjust the attack to mid fast which would help though.

The mastering version of the Vari-MU has the capability for M/S style processing.

soundguy · 16th August 2004

distressors are transformerless, do you want to run your entire mix through an electronically balanced box? Ive put distressors on the main mix before and it does sound good, but distressor will be your lowest common denomonator, and this could be a step down if you have an amazing console or a step up if you dont. If you plan on mastering, its good to mix with a little bit of compression (and I mean like, light up TWO gain reduction lights on the distressor at 2:1) as when you get to limiting, relationships in your mix will change if you didnt compress the 2 buss first. If you dont mind mastering changing your mix a lot, dont worry about it. If you want to retain relationships you put in your mix when you master, the TINIEST bit of 2 buss compression will go a long, long way in mastering. This is all pretty dumb ass worthless advice since I have no idea what you are mixing and what you expect as a result. Plug your compressors into the output of your console. If it doesnt sound better to you, unplug them, thats probably the best advice. My opinion is worthless compared to what you hear and judge for yourself.

good luck

dave

kudzu · 16th August 2004

Been using Multipressor from Logic, Pultec Eq from my UAD-1 card and Adlimiter from Logic (in this order). Got some great sounding mastered mixes.

Jam · 16th August 2004

I'm glad you're pleased ! But I would suggest mastering like stunt work is not something best tried at home. A little bit of glue on the master bus on the other hand can be fun.

Jam

Mastering101 · 16th August 2004

thank you all for the great advice.. i have some good tips ...

Mastering101 · 16th August 2004

bump

NeoVXR · 16th August 2004

effectsnut,
I think this was meant to me, because I was kind of nitpicking.
I see it as humorous, and my answer is "been there, now it is later.."

Mastering101 · 16th August 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by NeoVXR
effectsnut,
I think this was meant to me, because I was kind of nitpicking.
I see it as humorous, and my answer is "been there, now it is later.."

ok ..thanks

enharmonic · 17th August 2004

If I were you, I'd be most concerned with getting my mixes where I want them to be...or as close as I can without worrying too much about strapping a compressor across the mix. Unless you have the coin to invest in a really sweet mastering compressor (or an SSL compressor...which I happen to like across a mix), IMO, you're better off leaving that step to a mastering house that has a sweet multi-band compressor.

It's so easy to overcompress these days...and with the volume wars in full tilt, it would be nice if people started focusing more on the performance and getting the depth out of their mix rather than crush the living S*** out of 'em.

Just my .02. Compression is subjective to a certain point...and then it's just bad IMO. When used correctly though, it makes a difference between a good mix, and a great mix.

Good luck.

Mastering101 · 17th August 2004

Quote:

Originally posted by enharmonic
If I were you, I'd be most concerned with getting my mixes where I want them to be...or as close as I can without worrying too much about strapping a compressor across the mix. Unless you have the coin to invest in a really sweet mastering compressor (or an SSL compressor...which I happen to like across a mix), IMO, you're better off leaving that step to a mastering house that has a sweet multi-band compressor.

It's so easy to overcompress these days...and with the volume wars in full tilt, it would be nice if people started focusing more on the performance and getting the depth out of their mix rather than crush the living S*** out of 'em.

Just my .02. Compression is subjective to a certain point...and then it's just bad IMO. When used correctly though, it makes a difference between a good mix, and a great mix.

Good luck.

im actually thinking about the tube tech multiband smc 2a
or the manley var mu...just to gel things..im not sure which one?
that tube tech multi band looks nice. thanks for the reply...

Matthew D · 17th August 2004

You should check out a thread from a few month ago. It's Charles Dye and he explains how he now likes to mix to his Waves Ren Comp on the 2 buss and get as much as 4db of reduction. I know it sounds like a lot, but I tried it and it's pretty cool for rock stuff.
As far as mixing ,through a couple of Distressors, I've tried it and wasn't crazy about it. That's just my opinion though.

Good Luck

15th August 2004	#1
Mastering101 Lives for gear Joined: Aug 2003 Location: ma. Posts: 1,534 Thread Starter 1 Review written	compressing master track i just unloaded my finalizer 96k.. i really didnt like mastering with it. it always seemed like a dragged out fight..im thinking my masters would sound better without it...i wondering how many of you compress your master track??? i compress individual tracks with a couple of distressors with all the mods and im wondering if i should run my master track through it?. i havent run one through it yet because my studio is down for upgrades..maybe this is just too much compression. should i just leave it at the individual tracks and not compress the master track or should i consider a mastering compressor. i was looking at a tube tech smc 2a...thank you for any reply's in advance

15th August 2004	#7
NeoVXR Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2004 Posts: 1,230	compressing 10 tracks and one master has 11 reasons! or not... tutt to plan a chain of 3 or more compressions (channel, master, radio) is a very technical thing, esp. regarding transients and sound-shaping attributes of compression. further more, limiting is much more nonlinear than compression (said with simple words, it means ~infinite compression factor) and plays its own role. the distinction needs to be considered, independently of the particular device that may have both features. __________________ sorry 4 poor english

16th August 2004	#12
kudzu Lives for gear Joined: Jul 2004 Location: Scotland UK Posts: 709	compressing master track Been using Multipressor from Logic, Pultec Eq from my UAD-1 card and Adlimiter from Logic (in this order). Got some great sounding mastered mixes.

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15th August 2004	#3
jazzius II Lives for gear Joined: Sep 2003 Posts: 1,002	Compress for a reason....

16th August 2004	#8
Jules Gearslutz.com admin Joined: Apr 2002 Location: A Yank in London, UK Posts: 17,808 1 Review written	Compress first, ask questions later!

16th August 2004	#9
Revelation Lives for gear Joined: Apr 2003 Location: New York Posts: 1,131	Many compress at mastering to gel everything together and to just control the peaks. While mulitiband compressors do it best, some like the Manley MU although is a single channel compressor. The reason is the smoothness it adds to the tracks. However I would not recommend it for dance music as the low end will cause it to react to strongly to the mid and high's. You can adjust the attack to mid fast which would help though.

16th August 2004	#11
soundguy Gear nut Joined: Feb 2003 Location: nyc Posts: 87	distressors are transformerless, do you want to run your entire mix through an electronically balanced box? Ive put distressors on the main mix before and it does sound good, but distressor will be your lowest common denomonator, and this could be a step down if you have an amazing console or a step up if you dont. If you plan on mastering, its good to mix with a little bit of compression (and I mean like, light up TWO gain reduction lights on the distressor at 2:1) as when you get to limiting, relationships in your mix will change if you didnt compress the 2 buss first. If you dont mind mastering changing your mix a lot, dont worry about it. If you want to retain relationships you put in your mix when you master, the TINIEST bit of 2 buss compression will go a long, long way in mastering. This is all pretty dumb ass worthless advice since I have no idea what you are mixing and what you expect as a result. Plug your compressors into the output of your console. If it doesnt sound better to you, unplug them, thats probably the best advice. My opinion is worthless compared to what you hear and judge for yourself. good luck dave

16th August 2004	#13
Jam Lives for gear Joined: Oct 2003 Location: South East England Posts: 1,463	I'm glad you're pleased ! But I would suggest mastering like stunt work is not something best tried at home. A little bit of glue on the master bus on the other hand can be fun. Jam

17th August 2004	#18
enharmonic Lives for gear Joined: May 2004 Location: 410 Posts: 603	If I were you, I'd be most concerned with getting my mixes where I want them to be...or as close as I can without worrying too much about strapping a compressor across the mix. Unless you have the coin to invest in a really sweet mastering compressor (or an SSL compressor...which I happen to like across a mix), IMO, you're better off leaving that step to a mastering house that has a sweet multi-band compressor. It's so easy to overcompress these days...and with the volume wars in full tilt, it would be nice if people started focusing more on the performance and getting the depth out of their mix rather than crush the living S*** out of 'em. Just my .02. Compression is subjective to a certain point...and then it's just bad IMO. When used correctly though, it makes a difference between a good mix, and a great mix. Good luck.

17th August 2004	#20
Matthew D Gear Head Joined: May 2004 Posts: 53	You should check out a thread from a few month ago. It's Charles Dye and he explains how he now likes to mix to his Waves Ren Comp on the 2 buss and get as much as 4db of reduction. I know it sounds like a lot, but I tried it and it's pretty cool for rock stuff. As far as mixing ,through a couple of Distressors, I've tried it and wasn't crazy about it. That's just my opinion though. Good Luck