Fade out - before or after mastering?

MrVelvet · 16th August 2008

Just wondering what the general way is... I remember hearing some songs where - at the end when fading out - the tone/sound changes, which makes me guess that the fade was there before mastering and that caused the material to react differently to the processing at this point. But then again, there's probably plenty stuff where the fade happened afterwards.

Is there any preference? Any advances one way or the other?

Lagerfeldt · 16th August 2008

If you fade before (or into) compression you'll get another sound, and you're kind of working against the machine. It can work though, but be aware of hiss if you're not fading the actual end file.

24-96 Mastering · 17th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrVelvet

Just wondering what the general way is... I remember hearing some songs where - at the end when fading out - the tone/sound changes, which makes me guess that the fade was there before mastering and that caused the material to react differently to the processing at this point. But then again, there's probably plenty stuff where the fade happened afterwards.

Is there any preference? Any advances one way or the other?

I guess the sound changing during a fade out is somewhat "classic" in its own right. A lot of great tracks on great albums do that... and it always makes me smiles when hearing it. But of course, I very much prefer to do the fades at the mastering stage for exactly that reason.

Alex Tang · 17th August 2008

...during mastering, but after compression as Lagerfeldt hinted.

MASSIVE Master · 18th August 2008

I agree generally - But at the same time, it can be a pretty cool effect when it's exaggerated... As mentioned, the sound changes - actually becoming more dynamic during the fade (if the fade was applied during the mix or pre-compression during the mastering phase).

If the compressor is hitting pretty hard and the release is reasonably slow, it can be very nifty...

Not a rule of thumb or anything - Just a look at the other side of the coin...

Alex Tang · 18th August 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by MASSIVE Master

I agree generally - But at the same time, it can be a pretty cool effect when it's exaggerated... As mentioned, the sound changes - actually becoming more dynamic during the fade (if the fade was applied during the mix or pre-compression during the mastering phase).

If the compressor is hitting pretty hard and the release is reasonably slow, it can be very nifty...

Not a rule of thumb or anything - Just a look at the other side of the coin...

And you're right Massive! For effects, almost anything is possible. The important thing is to know exactly what to expect whenever we make a decision such as this.

leaper · 19th August 2008

One more thing to add is that if the fade is made before mastering, it's quite often made with no thought of pause time or the following song on the CD.
Sometimes this can lead to a less than optimum fade out.

Marbarbaar · 12th February 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by leaper

One more thing to add is that if the fade is made before mastering, it's quite often made with no thought of pause time or the following song on the CD.
Sometimes this can lead to a less than optimum fade out.

I simply MUST go off topic and applaud your avatar.

Adam Dempsey · 12th February 2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by leaper

One more thing to add is that if the fade is made before mastering, it's quite often made with no thought of pause time or the following song on the CD.
Sometimes this can lead to a less than optimum fade out.

Very true. Context is the name of the game.

csl · 12th February 2009

I'd imagine fading out after EQ/comp, but before dithering, would be a safe option.

16th August 2008	#1
MrVelvet Lives for gear Join Date: May 2006 Location: Karlsruhe, Germany Posts: 719 Thread Starter	Fade out - before or after mastering? Just wondering what the general way is... I remember hearing some songs where - at the end when fading out - the tone/sound changes, which makes me guess that the fade was there before mastering and that caused the material to react differently to the processing at this point. But then again, there's probably plenty stuff where the fade happened afterwards. Is there any preference? Any advances one way or the other? __________________ . Nicolay Ketterer realsamples http://www.realsamples.com http://www.myspace.com/realsamples

16th August 2008	#2
Lagerfeldt Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Copenhagen, Denmark Posts: 4,709 Verified Member	If you fade before (or into) compression you'll get another sound, and you're kind of working against the machine. It can work though, but be aware of hiss if you're not fading the actual end file. __________________ Professional geek Online Mastering

18th August 2008	#5
MASSIVE Master Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Chicago (Schaumburg / Hoffman Est.) IL Posts: 2,632 Verified Member	I agree generally - But at the same time, it can be a pretty cool effect when it's exaggerated... As mentioned, the sound changes - actually becoming more dynamic during the fade (if the fade was applied during the mix or pre-compression during the mastering phase). If the compressor is hitting pretty hard and the release is reasonably slow, it can be very nifty... Not a rule of thumb or anything - Just a look at the other side of the coin... __________________ John Scrip - Massive Mastering, LLC - www.massivemastering.com Spoon-feed a newb some answer and he'll mix for a day - Get him to think about it and figure it out for himself and he'll mix for a lifetime --- JS

12th February 2009	#10
csl Gear addict Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Newcastle upon Tyne, England Posts: 404	I'd imagine fading out after EQ/comp, but before dithering, would be a safe option. __________________ Chris Leary Mastering \| Music

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17th August 2008	#4
Alex Tang Gear interested Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Montréal, QC, Canada Posts: 17	...during mastering, but after compression as Lagerfeldt hinted.

19th August 2008	#7
leaper Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 847	One more thing to add is that if the fade is made before mastering, it's quite often made with no thought of pause time or the following song on the CD. Sometimes this can lead to a less than optimum fade out.

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