Going Louder (Mixing vs. Mastering)

Markaholic · 27th September 2010

Hey people, I'm trying to figure out how to make my tracks as loud and in-your-face (Top 40s-style) as possible. I know this is not musically the best choice, but the fact remains...

I'm coming close-ish. I have a track similar to Kesha's "Tik Tok" and I want it to be equally as loud/present. It has been mastered by a trusted friend, but it's still not quite there. Here is my comparison of the two songs:

Mastering

Anyone have any input on whether my mix needs to be better, or the mastering job - or both? I'd say the compression/limiting needs to be pushed harder in the mastering process, but maybe my mix isn't leaving room for that. Thank you for any advice!!!

Ben F · 27th September 2010

This difference is tik tok is distorted, and yours is not.

So just be happy with that yours is plenty loud enough.

huejahfink · 27th September 2010

It's definitely one of those 'and if the next guy jumped under a bus, would you follow?' type-o-situations.

Silver Sonya · 27th September 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by huejahfink

It's definitely one of those 'and if the next guy jumped under a bus, would you follow?' type-o-situations.

And it's definitely a "yes" answer.

- c

Jean Doe · 27th September 2010

It's more the mix but the master could be better too.
Based on a very quick listen, I'd say the following. Your bassline lacks harmonics and is too quiet. Also your kick is a bit too tubby and lacks high mids. That's why it doesn't seem to respond well to the limiting at all. The problem would probably get even worse when raising the bassline level so either go in and eq the kick heavily or add another layer on top of it or just replace it all together.

Apart from the low end i think your mix sounds pretty good.

27th September 2010	#1
Markaholic Gear interested Joined: Mar 2009 Posts: 16 Thread Starter	Going Louder (Mixing vs. Mastering) Hey people, I'm trying to figure out how to make my tracks as loud and in-your-face (Top 40s-style) as possible. I know this is not musically the best choice, but the fact remains... I'm coming close-ish. I have a track similar to Kesha's "Tik Tok" and I want it to be equally as loud/present. It has been mastered by a trusted friend, but it's still not quite there. Here is my comparison of the two songs: Mastering Anyone have any input on whether my mix needs to be better, or the mastering job - or both? I'd say the compression/limiting needs to be pushed harder in the mastering process, but maybe my mix isn't leaving room for that. Thank you for any advice!!!

27th September 2010	#2
Ben F Lives for gear Joined: Feb 2006 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,748 Verified Member 1 Review written	This difference is tik tok is distorted, and yours is not. So just be happy with that yours is plenty loud enough. __________________ Studios 301

27th September 2010	#3
huejahfink Lives for gear Joined: Jan 2010 Posts: 1,285 Verified Member	It's definitely one of those 'and if the next guy jumped under a bus, would you follow?' type-o-situations. __________________ Contact : Rich Hughes / mastering@binaryfeedback.com / Discogs Technical Credits

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27th September 2010	#5
Jean Doe Gear nut Joined: Jun 2008 Posts: 132	It's more the mix but the master could be better too. Based on a very quick listen, I'd say the following. Your bassline lacks harmonics and is too quiet. Also your kick is a bit too tubby and lacks high mids. That's why it doesn't seem to respond well to the limiting at all. The problem would probably get even worse when raising the bassline level so either go in and eq the kick heavily or add another layer on top of it or just replace it all together. Apart from the low end i think your mix sounds pretty good.