Help? How do i get the most out of my Instrumentals?!

[mgthefuture]

What's good GS Fam?

I was hoping you mastering engineers could give me some advice or tips on setting up a master bus chain for instrumentals to maximize the loudness and quality of instrumentals I will be putting on CD's and Soundclick.

Any FX you recommend?

So far I got the sonnox bundle... using the inflator and limiter and EQ.

What about reverb?

What areas should i focus on in the EQ?

Limit AND compression? Or either or.

I know this is sort of Vague...but im sure mastering an instrumental would be more for show, than you would a full song. I just want to have the best product online.

Thanks.

[Soundmaster Alex]

I hate to give you a really obvious answer, but why don't you try sending one to a mastering engineer, without any processing on the master bus? That way you'll find out from someone with a lot of experience whether you need to make any fundamental changes to your mix.

Failing that you could post a sample on here, I'm sure you'll get a lot of replies & advice.
Good luck!

[Waltz Mastering]

You would master an instrumental with the same process that you would use to master anything else.

If your going to DIY you could try the sonnox bundle you have (EQ - limiter - dither).

Really don't need reverb or anything like that.

[KyleDiSanto]

Hey,

Are you looking to "maximize" your beats with intent to sell...

In other words, where it will eventually be mixed down within the song once vocals are added?

If so, I would just follow Tom's Advice (waltz) and get a limiter and eq and experiment.

One thing I absolutely hate is getting in a hip hop project to mix that has a beat already "maximized" and I end up spending more time trying to fix that...than I can actually getting the while thing to sound good.

[mgthefuture]

Yes ^

When i sell a beat i provide track-outs regardless, so they may mix it themselves without the FX and or "limiting" i put on the WAV before uploading to a website.

And i currently already do this process, but I have listened to other peoples music and the overall feel/vibration is different then mine for apparent reasons (equipment, sounds, method). However, i understand that with proper mastering techniques it would enhance my mix even better.

I guess im trying to figure out which area of my craft to really focus on. Whether it be the EQ within the pre-mix or tinker around with some tube saturation and SSL compression (waves) and the sorts.

I dislike "digital feeling" hip hop with a passion, although im in the constraints of ITB with my DAW (FL and Ableton)