Vinyl mix for 12" master

[adam diller]

Hi, I'm producing my first mix for a 12" single.

I'm happy with the sounds on the CD master, but I'm unsure as to the best way to approach the use of compression/limiting for the hottest vinyl cut.

As I understand from checking into it and asking around, I should give the mastering engineer something fairly dynamic, with a lower level than the CD. My concern is that I will lose some of my careful work in finding the compression settings that make the sounds breathe correctly (have the right rhythmic weight, shape, and inflection).

I guess the real concern here is efficiency, obviously I could spend a few days in the mastering studio with the engineer getting the sound right, but I don't really have that budget.

I'd like advice for coming to the mastering session as prepared as possible, so that I can get the best results from my time with the engineer.

there's some of the stuff I'm talking about up at $.99 Dreams

thanks for your time,

--adam diller

[Reptil]

good tunes! compression on your site is enormous. (so didn't tell me much about dynamics in your music - probably the format)

I suggest you talk to the mastering guy & cutter.

[adam diller]

[quote=Reptil;1840856]good tunes! compression on your site is enormous. (so didn't tell me much about dynamics in your music - probably the format)

Actually the compression on my site isn't too far from what the CD sounds like (besides the mp3 comp). Am I going to have problems getting that onto vinyl?

[Paul Gold]

The amount and type of compression won't matter much either way. I suggest listening to the mixes with a 12k low pass filter and a 40hz high pass filter. If the mixes hold together then you have nothing to worry about. If they fall apart you do.

[source66]

Make sure the lower end is mono compatible by center the bass frequencies.
If more than one track on one side the inner track
usually needs a little more on the top end!
And yes, don't over compress!
Don't clip your wave forms!
Clipped wave forms with squared tops will often break up really really quick when
transferred to vinyl master at a hot level.

Take a look here

/Robert

[Reptil]

probably it will be possible, however don't make the master levels too hot.
bass mono like said, high end can also not be too hot.
here's more info: Vinyl Mastering Guidelines

[fenderbender.]

Mastering houses often times just add silence (i.e. a side break) to the CD-DA master, and send that off as the source for cutting. No joke!

Your question seems like the perfect thing to ask the engineer that will be doing the cutting. . . And then to report back here what they say!

G'luck!

[Ben F]

No clipping

HPF the out of phase 150-200Hz

De-ess the center frequencies

LPF above 15kHz

Don't over compress, give the cutting guy something to work with

Ensure you get a test pressing for approval

[adam diller]

THANKS to everyone for the advice, super helpful, I made a lot of the changes mentioned. The main process has been getting the low end in mono and the high end a little less crazy.

I appreciate the time,

-a