Digital Mastering Warming Options

[Online-Mastering]

Creating the right sounds.

+1 for this quote. If you have a listen to the best productions in the dance segment, you will hear with how much care EVERY single hi-hat is SELECTED. How the bass drum was processed and what kind of ultra-energetic samples they have for those purposes.

A non-punchy bass will NOT significantly turn intoi a dancefloor-shaking Boom just because of mixing / mastering. Much is work is: Selecting the right sample, tweak it maybe again and again. Then mix it in and find the right corresponding bass sound for a kick drum (for example). One that PERFECTLY fits. With no phase problems / cancellations in the low end. Side-chain compression is an important thing to use in the low frequencies. MOST of todays punchy and highly-energetic dance tracks shape the 'pumping' between kick and bass with applied side-chain compression (ducking).

So, if you are not sure if a kick (for example) is good, just compare it with your best reference dance tracks. Remember: Hard limiting will the low end make -generally- less punchy, so you can easily compare, while not having the final loudness / level. Reduce the reference level, so that a/b comparison is possible. Now compare. If the reference low end is still MUCH punchier and has A LOT more impact, then go back to the sampling stage and check if you can find better samples, that come closer to the sound you want to achieve.

Arne

[aivoryuk]

Originally Posted by Online-Mastering

Another add-on to my previous post: If you ask me: How do I get the warmth into my track? The answer would not be: Izotope, PSR, analog tool XYZ, whatsoever, BUT: EQ. Simply make the RIGHT boosts and the RIGHT cuts at the right frequency spots / areas. This is the major secret IMHO.

I would agree with that, adding xyz can be good but it depends on the genre. I mastered a artist for a dance label this week and the mix was good but did sound a bit digital in the hgh end, trying xyz just didn't work for me but careful eq did the trick

[Ben F]

Originally Posted by Online-Mastering

MOST of todays punchy and highly-energetic dance tracks shape the 'pumping' between kick and bass with applied side-chain compression (ducking).

Arne

Not to forget the much over used white noise side chained to the snare pumping in the build ups....

[OMNIFEX]

You should give the Stillwell Audio 1973 a try. One of the few Equalisers that responds more as hardware than those costing much more.

I use more analogue hardware than anything else and, it performs just as good as a stand-alone hardware device.

Cheers!

[mdoelger]

I find the UAD pultec nice for adding some analogish warmth to the mix.

Also think about some distortion/saturation while mixing. Too clean a ITB mix often sound hmm..."digital". I use antares tube and the PSP Mixpack for this. There's a free plug called rubytube which can do a good job too with moderate settings.

Outboard tubes can help a lot also.

Sonnox dynamics have a nice warmth algo too.

But overall really focus on your mix and don't rely on mastering to achieve that.

I've heard tracks 3 can deliver a nice analogish mojo too.

[tomasrangel]

Originally Posted by Darius van H

With dance, it's not mixing, it's production. Creating the right sounds. No amount of mixing can pimp up crappy sounds to compete with the best productions. Go deep into your production and it'll come eventually.

You are right! Fix things is not a good solution.
I should focus on the source of the problem!

Thanks for this Darius! May be the most important thing to do in my music!

Cheers

[tomasrangel]

Originally Posted by Online-Mastering

+1 for this quote. If you have a listen to the best productions in the dance segment, you will hear with how much care EVERY single hi-hat is SELECTED. How the bass drum was processed and what kind of ultra-energetic samples they have for those purposes.

A non-punchy bass will NOT significantly turn intoi a dancefloor-shaking Boom just because of mixing / mastering. Much is work is: Selecting the right sample, tweak it maybe again and again. Then mix it in and find the right corresponding bass sound for a kick drum (for example). One that PERFECTLY fits. With no phase problems / cancellations in the low end. Side-chain compression is an important thing to use in the low frequencies. MOST of todays punchy and highly-energetic dance tracks shape the 'pumping' between kick and bass with applied side-chain compression (ducking).

So, if you are not sure if a kick (for example) is good, just compare it with your best reference dance tracks. Remember: Hard limiting will the low end make -generally- less punchy, so you can easily compare, while not having the final loudness / level. Reduce the reference level, so that a/b comparison is possible. Now compare. If the reference low end is still MUCH punchier and has A LOT more impact, then go back to the sampling stage and check if you can find better samples, that come closer to the sound you want to achieve.

Arne

Work! Thats the word i have to keep in my mind. Im f. ansious to have it ready!
Patience! is another word. Yes, i loose the reference doing it non stop for couple of hours, making my ears "tired".

Cheers

[tomasrangel]

Originally Posted by aivoryuk

I would agree with that, adding xyz can be good but it depends on the genre. I mastered a artist for a dance label this week and the mix was good but did sound a bit digital in the hgh end, trying xyz just didn't work for me but careful eq did the trick

Thats true! Im seeking for a great plugin EQ for fine results. I like the Algorithmix EQs, but they are expensive. I ll keep searching for another cost benefit one.

Cheers

[tomasrangel]

Originally Posted by Ben F

Not to forget the much over used white noise side chained to the snare pumping in the build ups....

This is a brand new skill for me. Never heard before. I ll do a deep research on it. Cool!

Cheers

[tomasrangel]

Originally Posted by OMNIFEX

You should give the Stillwell Audio 1973 a try. One of the few Equalisers that responds more as hardware than those costing much more.

I use more analogue hardware than anything else and, it performs just as good as a stand-alone hardware device.

Cheers!

Oh Cool! Thats what i need for EQing!
I ll give it a try!

Cheers man!

[tomasrangel]

Originally Posted by lunale

I find the UAD pultec nice for adding some analogish warmth to the mix.

Also think about some distortion/saturation while mixing. Too clean a ITB mix often sound hmm..."digital". I use antares tube and the PSP Mixpack for this. There's a free plug called rubytube which can do a good job too with moderate settings.

Outboard tubes can help a lot also.

Sonnox dynamics have a nice warmth algo too.

But overall really focus on your mix and don't rely on mastering to achieve that.

I've heard tracks 3 can deliver a nice analogish mojo too.

I had never try UAD yet. I need to buy it. Sonnox is great for sure. The best limiter i tried.

Cheers