Mixing Question

[gearjunky]

Lately I have been mixing with compression engaged on the 2 bus(e.g. UAD Neve 33609, SSL G-Master, etc.). When the mix is complete I take off 2 bus plug ins to verify my peaks are not over -3 or so before mastering.

I master in WaveBurner then reapply these plug ins a long with others(limiter last). The projects I have been working on lately don't have the budget for professional mastering but thats another subject.

The question is is it a bad idea to mix with 2 bus compression engaged(not a limiter just light compression)?

I like the way it sounds when on. In the past I mixed with nothing on the 2 bus.

Thanks for any input!

[amishsixstringe]

I always mix into a two bus compressor. Especially if you're intending to use one in mastering. I often mix with an L2 on bypass, then engaged to hit -2db or more just to hear how things work with some limiter. I, of course take it off before sending to mastering, but you'll get a better idea of how things will sound like this.

Anyhow, yes...Mix into a compressor, but often bypass that compressor and see what is going on.


Neil

[recall]

There are many mixbus compression threads on here if you search.

you master in waveburner and then add the bypassed compressor back in? That seems a back to front way of doing it. If it works for you though by all means continue.

A good background to mix compression:

The SOS Guide To Mix Compression

you may know all of the above, if so disregard, I don't mean to be patronising.

[gearjunky]

Originally Posted by recall

There are many mixbus compression threads on here if you search.

you master in waveburner and then add the bypassed compressor back in? That seems a back to front way of doing it. If it works for you though by all means continue.

A good background to mix compression:

The SOS Guide To Mix Compression

you may know all of the above, if so disregard, I don't mean to be patronising.

I do this so my bounces from Logic will always be compression free. This way if I ever decide to send the files to a pro mastering engineer later they will have more freedom to apply something better like hardware compression.

Thanks for the input! I will check out the article and search some other threads!

[kittonian]

I always mix through a 2-bus comp and I never take it off and print the mix before mastering. The mix is a combination of everything you've done, including the 2-bus comp. Now, with regards to a mastering limiter to make it loud, yes, of course you take that off and print the mix without it before mastering because that's part of mastering.

You should always get the final print of your mix sounding exactly like you want it to sound on the final album, without the use of a mastering limiter. 2-bus comps, eq's, tape saturation, etc. are all part of the mix process.

[DJamesGoody]

Originally Posted by kittonian

You should always get the final print of your mix sounding exactly like you want it to sound on the final album, without the use of a mastering limiter. 2-bus comps, eq's, tape saturation, etc. are all part of the mix process.

Absolutely. Don't let anyone ever tell you otherwise.

[gearjunky]

Cool! Thanks for the input guys!