Unmastered References

[JoeyRodgers]

I am looking for unmastered Reference-Tracks, because sometimes find it hard to compare my tracks after mixing with the material you find on cds because it is made loud in mastering. Any recources for (Hit-) Songs unmatered?

[present]

Well, if you're looking for cd's that are relatively "untouched", you could check out the Steve Hoffman forum.
A little warning, you'll be opening a big can of worms...

regards
rogier

[lucey]

Originally Posted by JoeyRodgers

I am looking for unmastered Reference-Tracks, because sometimes find it hard to compare my tracks after mixing with the material you find on cds because it is made loud in mastering. Any recources for (Hit-) Songs unmatered?

What's your goal in this?

A "hit" in what genre?

[streaky]

I sometimes wonder whether it's actually a good idea to listen to unmastered references, or any mixes, to see how you want your mix to sound. If you're listening to other tracks as a reference, aren't you losing some of your ability to get your 'own sound' out of your mixes?

I don't mean to be negative, I just thought maybe you should mix a lot of your own tracks without reference, then compare them against each other. Then you're at least going to get a good consistency between tracks, which is probably more important than sounding like something else.

Another thing, if you're just looking for overall ideas of balance, stereo usage, vocal levels etc, I don't see that it's such a bad thing to listen to mastered tracks as a reference. It depends on the kind of music you're making obviously, but some releases are hardly touched in the mastering process. I just hope you're not looking for rock bands to reference...

[Greg Reierson]

How about anything done prior to 1990?


Greg Reierson
Rare Form Mastering

[Masterer]

Originally Posted by streaky

I sometimes wonder whether it's actually a good idea to listen to unmastered references, or any mixes, to see how you want your mix to sound.

Why not? An experienced engineer wouldn't ask the question. An inexperienced engineer would do well to reference as much "good" sounding material as possible whilst in the process of developing a "sound".

Originally Posted by streaky

If you're listening to other tracks as a reference, aren't you losing some of your ability to get your 'own sound' out of your mixes?

No.

Gotta learn the rules before you break 'em - like learning a language before you write poetry.

On the other hand, it'd be a minor miracle to get your hands on unmastered hits.
Better off sticking to good sounding finished product.

[TBlizz]

Check out the Honor Roll by Bob Katz.

[brendondp]

Originally Posted by JoeyRodgers

I am looking for unmastered Reference-Tracks, because sometimes find it hard to compare my tracks after mixing with the material you find on cds because it is made loud in mastering. Any recources for (Hit-) Songs unmatered?

Without commenting on whether one should or should not listen to unmastered tracks, I do know Kevin Shirley and Steve Harris decided not to master Iron Maiden's "A Matter of Life and Death."

The reasons are here:

http://www.roadrunnerrecords.com/bla...wsitemID=54823

Of course, if you're making an alt-country album, then I don't know how useful 'Maiden's galloping horses-of-the-apocalypse nine and a half minute opuses will be...

Good luck.

bdp

[pelliott]

A group of us were listening to Wings At The Speed of Sound the other day. Man, talk about dynamics... impressive!

[madcowvt]

Originally Posted by Masterer

An inexperienced engineer would do well to reference as much "good" sounding material as possible whilst in the process of developing a "sound".


Gotta learn the rules before you break 'em - like learning a language before you write poetry.

Perfect analogy.