Getting loudness on a rough mix..

[A DJ]

Mixtape tracks that artists release, or unofficial remixes and freestyles, though they are not always mixed very well, at least sound as loud as radio tracks. I'm also talking about semi-established local artists.

I'm just wondering how they make them sound as loud with quick, rough mastering techniques.

I understand it has a lot to do with mixing, and you should always get your best mix. I was actually able to achieve a happy level of loudness when I had the beat tracked out and just used MasterX3, and even maxim almost worked. But with mixtape tracks that dont have the beat, it's even harder. EQing the beat and vocals help but theres only so much you can do.

The whole reason I'm asking is because even though I can explain to my clients that mastering is a professional process that should always be done seperately and by a professional that actually specializes in it, clients will still want their mixes to sound loud. So what I'm really asking is how to get a rough master/loud version for clients.

[Mr.Amokk]

Mastering your demotracks

[T. Gundersen]

Sonnox Inflator + Sonnox Limiter will take you as loud as you want to go. The worse the mix (as a result of tracking on a 2-track of the beat, or just a bad mix), the bigger loss of quality. But it does loud.

[rockstheparty]

PSP Vintage Warmer & Waves L3-16!! The Vintage Warmer gives you a nice warm tape-like saturation, and the L3-16 will give you all the volume you need, and it's very transparent & easy to use.

[MYAMS]

beat

[Dj Pound]

Compression

[illacov]

turn up the volume knob on your monitors

its a mix for crying out loud.

Peace
Illumination

[Ray Sr.]

If you only care about it being loud just throw a limiter on it. A mixtape isn't going to sound great anyway. i have a mixtape on my website for free. Download it & check the quality. If you like it I'll tell you what I did. No secrets just what it called for.