home studio project -- worth mastering?

[mr breaker]

Hi all, I just finished up my first home studio project and I could use some advice on mastering.

Would it be worth it for me to have my tracks mastered professionally, or will it not make that much of a difference since my recording quality isn't the greatest?

I do have the Ozone 3 plugin, so additionally I'm wondering if I did have it mastered professionally (within a budget of $30 - $40/per song), would that be an improvement over what I'm getting out of Ozone?


Here's what I'm working with:

http://thereveling.com/mp3/testmix1_no_plugin.mp3

http://thereveling.com/mp3/testmix1_ozone.mp3


Thanks, I'll really appreciate any feedback.

[kjg]

Hey there

The tune is quite fun! The mix could be improved upon (...), and the "mastering" is not an improvement over the mix at all.

So, there you have my feedback!

To answer your question: yes, others could do better than you and Ozone are doing now, even with this mix. But the best results might come from going back to the mix first, and then having it mastered.
A lot could be said about how to improve the mix, but what I'd start working on if I'd get to this mix (in this condition), would be the kick drum and bass guitar. Snare drum and overheads would be next... and then... and then... and then... Just kidding

Some hints: Kick could do with some eq-ing and compression to make it slightly more even and defined and when these goals are met > fader could go down a db or 2 (6?).
Bass also needs definition. it is there (right?...), but again, not in a really articulate way.

Just being honest - hope it helps you?

Nice song though, spend some more time on it! If you get that drum kit under control, and then the bass to work with the drums, the whole song will be more punchy and powerful even.

Good luck
Klaas-Jan

[mr breaker]

Great, thanks for the reply.

I'm very new at this, so of course I welcome any comments on the mix as well. (Although I guess then maybe this should be moved to a different forum?)

I will work on the kick and bass!


Thanks again.

[Bob Olhsson]

It's really a question of your goals for the project and the level of investment involved in promoting it.