Mastering without a limiter or tools made for mastering

[DC11]

I'm starting to experiment with mastering for fun. I'm fortunate to have some really nice gear and want to see how well it works for mastering. I use Pro Tools, but only as a tape machine and would like to keep it that way. Don't have much in the way of plug-ins anyway.

I figure that for best results, I should only use what I have in stereo form or have 2 of. Is that correct? I'm also curious to where I should put certain pieces in the chain. How's this for starters:

PT interfaces -> 160vu, LA4, or Joe Meek SC2 -> Pultec EQP-1A -> CD-burner or back into PT

Is burning to an external burner better then back into PT's?

I have a few pieces that I'd like to try and incorporate to the already existing chain. Where would they go in the chain?

* Crane Song HEDD
* Toft EQ (from the ATB Board)
* Valley People Dynamite
* FMR RNC

For pieces I only have 1 of, would getting a Dangerous Music Master be good for that? Does anyone else make something similar to those? I've got a Telefunken v72, Sta-Level, Altec, 1176 and a few other things that I'd love to see what color they add. I have a few other pieces, like 2 dbx 160x's, but I don't think those would work.

or

Just do it ITB? In PT's? Or should I get something like Bias Peak 6? I assume I need something like Peak 6 anyway for final editing and final burning anway.

or

Should I even bother with the above stuff and just start getting gear that is specifically made for mastering?

or

The obvious solution: Leave it to the pro's.

I do want to learn this art-form though.

[MAzevedo]

Read Bob Katz's book to start with, you're looking for a lot more information then is really practical for a forum post.

Amazon.com: Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The art and the science: Bob Katz: Books

[Coyoteous]

With that gear, just use it to make your mixes sound really good, record back into Pro Tools, gain up to -.3 or so, top and tail, SRC if needed (use the best you can get), dither, truncate to 16, sequence and burn (IMO).

[DC11]

Thanks for the info.

The more I read about it, the more intimidated I am by it, but also the more intrigued. And I've barely started with the actual aspect of doing it, just trying to learn about the chain and the best way to utilize what I've got.

I've read that book listed and am going through it again.

[Adam Dempsey]

From the list you've given, first step I'd be taking is making the HEDD your A-D converter, set to internal sync, and clock PT to it.

Placement of processors in a particular order really depends on what you need to achieve for a particular project.. it's quite impossible to be more specific than that in terms of advice. One example: I dare say the Pultec sound would not be needed on all projects.

[sludge]

Originally Posted by Coyoteous

, SRC if needed (use the best you can get), (IMO).

Hi There,

I am kind of new to mastering. Could you please explain what you mean by this.

Thanx

[Riccardo]

Originally Posted by sludge

Hi There,

I am kind of new to mastering. Could you please explain what you mean by this.

Thanx

Sample Rate Conversion (i.e going from 88.2 kHz to 44.1 kHz)

[Greg Reierson]

You didn't mention monitors. That should be your starting point when considering mastering. Working without a solid reference monitoring system is a Henry Mancini song.

YouTube - Naked City PLUS - A Shot In The Dark (Henry Mancini)


GR

[DC11]

My monitoring is no where near where it needs to be for mastering. It is on the top of my list though. I was thinking it would be the eq first, but I've learned otherwise.

[bmanic]

For a good compromise in mastering monitors, I suggest taking a look at the Barefoot MM27. Price & performance seem to be in extremely good balance in this product. All other proper 3-way options will be more expensive (because most are passive and thus need expensive amplification). Only other option I can think of is the K+H 300D but as far as I know, they need a sub and are perhaps a bit compromised because their reflex port design.

Note: I have never heard the Barefoot MM27's myself but am currently in talks with the bank to get a small loan to be able to afford them. I've done extensive research on a suitable compromise for a small room on a budget and I cannot find anything better than the MM27's. If anybody has some other suggestions please let me know. My second option would be to find used B&W Nautilus 802's but I've only seen a single pair being sold here over the past 2 years and I missed that opportunity (read: didn't have the cash!).

Cheers!
bManic

[DAH]

Originally Posted by bmanic

For a good compromise in mastering monitors, I suggest taking a look at the Barefoot MM27. Price & performance seem to be in extremely good balance in this product. All other proper 3-way options will be more expensive (because most are passive and thus need expensive amplification). Only other option I can think of is the K+H 300D but as far as I know, they need a sub and are perhaps a bit compromised because their reflex port design.

Note: I have never heard the Barefoot MM27's myself but am currently in talks with the bank to get a small loan to be able to afford them. I've done extensive research on a suitable compromise for a small room on a budget and I cannot find anything better than the MM27's. If anybody has some other suggestions please let me know. My second option would be to find used B&W Nautilus 802's but I've only seen a single pair being sold here over the past 2 years and I missed that opportunity (read: didn't have the cash!).

Cheers!
bManic

K+H O300(d) are not ported but sealed boxes. Though, the limiter light is blinking at rather workable levels with a bassy program (dre Chronic 2001 in my test case).