preparing a mix for Mastering

[Tandem5]

Hey,
I've just finished up recording an Album in Cubase SX 3 and I'm starting to do the 24but 48K bounces for the Mastering Engineer, however....
In most of the tracks the master fader in clipping by about 3-4 db.
Usually I would go and link ALL the channels and pull them down until the master doesnt clip but I've got lots of routings and sends that i dont wana mess with.

When I pull the mast fader down by 3.5 db i CAN notice the difference in quality. Does anyone elso just pull the master fader down?
How wrong is it to leave an L3 or L2 on the master with the threshold left at 0?
Or does anyone have any other tips?

thanks heaps

tandem5

[Darius van H]

If your tracks have lots of limiting/clipping on them, you may be severely limiting ( ) the options of the ME to improve your music.

If pulling down the master fader makes a noticeble difference in the sound, something must be broke with cubase.

It's also possible that when you pull down the master fader, there is less clipping/distortion, and that's what you don't like - this may sound silly, but with so much clipping/distortion in music nowadays, maybe this (the clipping) is making you think your mixes sound more "pro" or "radio" or something - just a thought.............good luck!......D

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Tandem5

Hey,
I've just finished up recording an Album in Cubase SX 3 and I'm starting to do the 24but 48K bounces for the Mastering Engineer, however....
In most of the tracks the master fader in clipping by about 3-4 db.
Usually I would go and link ALL the channels and pull them down until the master doesnt clip but I've got lots of routings and sends that i dont wana mess with.

When I pull the mast fader down by 3.5 db i CAN notice the difference in quality. Does anyone elso just pull the master fader down?
How wrong is it to leave an L3 or L2 on the master with the threshold left at 0?
Or does anyone have any other tips?

thanks heaps

tandem5

Not to change subjects, but how do you link ALL the channels in Cubase? I run out of head room all the time and this would do the trick for me.

Thanks,
Glenn

[Tandem5]

Originally Posted by myfipie

Not to change subjects, but how do you link ALL the channels in Cubase? I run out of head room all the time and this would do the trick for me.

Thanks,
Glenn

highlight all the channels in the mixer
right click
Link Selected Channels

Thanks for the feedback. None of the individual channels are clipping though. Maybe it was just me being silly thinkin it sounded crapper when i pulled the master down

[Brad Blackwood]

Originally Posted by Darius van H

If your tracks have lots of limiting/clipping on them, you may be severely limiting ( ) the options of the ME to improve your music.

If pulling down the master fader makes a noticeble difference in the sound, something must be broke with cubase.

It's also possible that when you pull down the master fader, there is less clipping/distortion, and that's what you don't like - this may sound silly, but with so much clipping/distortion in music nowadays, maybe this (the clipping) is making you think your mixes sound more "pro" or "radio" or something - just a thought.............good luck!......D

Agreed totally.

I've actually been telling clients who ask to print much lower lately - like peaks at -6dBfs. I simply cannot explain why it would sound better, but giving the mix room to breathe sure seems to help the final product...

[lucey]

just pull down the fader ... peaks even as low as -10 to -5 gives room for an analog gains to open up a little.

[Glenn Kuras]

Originally Posted by Tandem5

highlight all the channels in the mixer
right click
Link Selected Channels

Thanks for the feedback. None of the individual channels are clipping though. Maybe it was just me being silly thinkin it sounded crapper when i pulled the master down

Thank you sir.. Darn easy!!

Glenn