Metering Tools
– Peak Level (How Loud Music is for DAW)
– RMS Level (How Loud Music Feels)
– Difference between Peak and RMS is the Dynamic Range (or Crest Factor)
– “-10dB” RMS is a Good Place to Park your Record
Compression
– Rule of Compression in Mastering is
a) Add Colour
b) Bring Low Levels Up
c) Bring Density to a Track
d) Modify How the Track “Hits” Punch-Wise
– a Ratio of 2:1 in Mastering is Common
– Use Fast Attack = When Material is a Mess in Terms of Lots of Different Dynamics (e.g. Lots of Percussion etc.)
– Use Slow Attack = For More Punch but Less Initial Dynamic Control (e.g. Bass Drum will Not be Controlled)
Multiband Compression
– a Bunch of Compressors that Work Only on a Certain Area of a Signal
– can be a Help of Numerous Tasks:
a) Fix Problems (De-Essing)
b) Smooth Out Dynamics Across Frequency Range
c) Enhancement Tricks, e.g. Compress Very Top Frequencies and then Add Back Gain
d) Control Low End
– often a MultibandMaster Preset will
a) Enhance Boom (20-150)
b) Get Rid of Energy in the Muddy Area (150 – 500)
c) Tame the Medium a Bit (500 – 2000)
d) Add Shine on Top by either Expanding, or Compressing & Raising the Upper Mid and High-End (2000 – 20000)
De-Esser
– Clean Up Harsh Problem Zones with a Dedicated De-Esser
Equaliser
– Fix Problems (Surgical Usage) and Add Vibe (Colourful Usage)
– Match the Tone from another Track from the LP (or from a Reference Track)
– a Clean One = Fix Things, Preferably a Linear Phase EQ that Adds No Coloration (Nugen SEQ), but also Clean Parametric EQs (Epure, Sonnox)
– a Coloured One = Add Character, Vibe
– Remember that in Mastering Stage No 15dB of EQ should be Needed to Make it Right (otherwise Fix the Mix)
Peak Limiter
– the Only Role of the Peak Limiter is to Raise the RMS Level so Loud that you can Match a Reference Track
a) Imagine the 0dBFS as the Digital Zero, Above is No-Man´s Land and anywhere Below Sits your RMS Signal at Level xxx
b) Now you Push the RMS Signal into the Peak Limiter and when the Peaks Arrive at No-Man´s Land, the Limiter Starts to React and Tames the Peaks which Allows you to Push the RMS Level further
c) the Transients will “Crush” as you Reduce More and More Dynamic Range, i.e. Send Transients into No-Man´s Land
d) be Sure to Compare the Limited Signal with the Un-Limited at the same Level to Judge the Result
Sum & Difference Applications (M/S)
– Correct Mid / Side Information
a) General M/S Tool
b) EQ M/S
c) Spatial M/S
d) Compress M/S
e) Limiter M/S
d) Transient M/S
e) De-Ess M/S
d) Gate M/S
e) Saturation M/S
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