JayBaller10
Registered User
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
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 Posted: Sat May 12 2007 19:15
The Art Of Mastering? |
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Hello all... I need help in the mastering dept. How do I produce a track that sounds like it just left the shelves at a music store? To get close to that feel, under the mixer I set the master High Gain at 8 dB, Mid Gain at 6 dB, and Low Gain at 2 dB. I know this is not enough however as I can tell the difference whenever I listen to a professional CD. I make Rap/R&B beats if this helps in determining how I should master the songs and what I should use to master. Thank you all for your help... |
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JayBaller10
Registered User
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
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Posted: Sat May 12 2007 19:19
One more thing... |
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I use a VST named DSK Brass. For some reason, whenever I pull up two DSK instruments in the same song, it crashes the computer for about 10 min and I have to end madtracker. One DSK VST is fine, but two VSTs are trouble. The message it gives me after madtracker closes is "error cleaning VSTs". Does anyone know what causes this and/or what steps can be taken to prevent this crash? |
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G3ronimo
Hot & Sexeh
Joined: 27 Dec 2005
Location: The Netherlands, Wezep
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Posted: Sun May 13 2007 02:52
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many many topics on this, search the help forum a bit and you'll find nice topic to learn from  |
www.soundsector.net |
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JayBaller10
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Joined: 25 Aug 2006
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Posted: Sun May 13 2007 20:02
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Dont know G3ronimo... I did search and didn't find anyone addressing the mastering issue. Is it something difficult to learn or explain? |
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G3ronimo
Hot & Sexeh
Joined: 27 Dec 2005
Location: The Netherlands, Wezep
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Posted: Sun May 13 2007 20:29
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| JayBaller10 wrote: | | Dont know G3ronimo... I did search and didn't find anyone addressing the mastering issue. Is it something difficult to learn or explain? |
well.. perhaps it isnt hard to learn or anything.. the thing is, there are sooo many different opinions on mastering and EQ'ing, and so many methods and software and vsts and whatnot to do it |
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JayBaller10
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Joined: 25 Aug 2006
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Posted: Sun May 13 2007 22:10
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Haha ok, but that still doesn't help me in producing CD quality music. What do you personally do to produce professional sounds? How do you make your music sound as if it just came off the music store shelves? Others can chime in as well... |
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G3ronimo
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Joined: 27 Dec 2005
Location: The Netherlands, Wezep
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Posted: Sun May 13 2007 22:39
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ookey.. well I gues first you gotta know what my music sounds after using the following tips tricks.. useless bullcrap whatever 
http://www.yousendit.com/download/UW16ZXQwNXZreEEwTVE9PQ
First off.. Madtracker does not have superb audioquality, so I think you will never reach the level of cubase or sonar (this track was made wih sonar btw)
I usually boost the high frequencies, cutoff below 20hz
look, I am not much of a mastering man myself so,
I widen the higher frequencies a bit with iZotope Ozon, or whatever its called, the use the preset "masteringmix" from vintage channel, but discard the damn compression, thats what I did to this track, I find it sounding pretty slick..
well, thats pretty much it, when your track gets signed btw, it will be mastered by the label itself, so no real worries there I think
http://www.madtracker.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=2796&highlight=mastering
http://www.madtracker.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=1991&highlight=mastering
check bot of those links.. and search a bit more in the help forum, will get you far  |
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JayBaller10
Registered User
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
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Posted: Mon May 14 2007 21:33
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Hey I appreciate the help G3ronimo! It's funny, because you are soooo far advanced in using the different aspects that madtracker has to offer. How long did it take to learn the inner workings? I've made about 20 songs, but none really offer the intricate effects that Soul Purpose delivers. Also, I like the bass in the song; I've been looking for bass that had a smooth and warm feel to it, just like yours, that didn't sound like it came out of a guitar (thinking rap type of bass). Clarity was nice as well, what do you do with your music after completion? |
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G3ronimo
Hot & Sexeh
Joined: 27 Dec 2005
Location: The Netherlands, Wezep
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Posted: Tue May 15 2007 08:35
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| JayBaller10 wrote: | | Hey I appreciate the help G3ronimo! It's funny, because you are soooo far advanced in using the different aspects that madtracker has to offer. How long did it take to learn the inner workings? I've made about 20 songs, but none really offer the intricate effects that Soul Purpose delivers. Also, I like the bass in the song; I've been looking for bass that had a smooth and warm feel to it, just like yours, that didn't sound like it came out of a guitar (thinking rap type of bass). Clarity was nice as well, what do you do with your music after completion? |
I widen the higher frequencies a bit with iZotope Ozon, or whatever its called, the use the preset "masteringmix" from vintage channel, but discard the damn compression, thats what I did to this track, I find it sounding pretty slick..
Thats everything really, yeah, i boost the high frequencies a bit, but thats all really. You should hear one of andy's tracks, now THOSE sound superb
 Just Dload several mastering VSTS etc (Yes, do it the illegal way if you like em, buy em, I did to, noone will know SUE ME!! )
tinker arround with a few of those till you get the sound you like
one thing you should do, if you dont already, use VST instruments for your bass, leads etc. (instead of samples)Just tinker with it till you get what you want, and which bass do you mean? the first that comes in is just a triangle and a sine wave, functioning as a sub,
the second one is much easyer, thats just 2 saws 1 Saw at a basic note lets say: C, layered with a saw 7 notes higher, G which creates an harmonic effect, its called fifths |
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JayBaller10
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Joined: 25 Aug 2006
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Posted: Tue May 15 2007 19:32
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I dont remember the second bass coming in, but will listen again for it... The first bass - the sine and triangle wave - is the bass I believe many rap producers use in music today. I never experimented with the C & G harmony, sounds a little ominous when I play it with a piano. I've always used notes separated by another note for harmony (ex. F & A), but will explore the undiscovered harmony as well. Here is a sample of my music. This is the latest song that I have put together - its called "Hard Times". Let me know what you think...
http://www.speedyshare.com/435146779.html |
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G3ronimo
Hot & Sexeh
Joined: 27 Dec 2005
Location: The Netherlands, Wezep
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Posted: Tue May 15 2007 21:36
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| JayBaller10 wrote: | I dont remember the second bass coming in, but will listen again for it... The first bass - the sine and triangle wave - is the bass I believe many rap producers use in music today. I never experimented with the C & G harmony, sounds a little ominous when I play it with a piano. I've always used notes separated by another note for harmony (ex. F & A), but will explore the undiscovered harmony as well. Here is a sample of my music. This is the latest song that I have put together - its called "Hard Times". Let me know what you think...
http://www.speedyshare.com/435146779.html |
the beat and all is cool, but I find the piano really harsh, lower the volume on that a bit, and stick some reverb/delay on it its cool,nice structure, but the "ping" kinda sound needs a slower attack which will make it sound smoother,
and, it needs a good subbase |
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bigandymac
Registered User
Joined: 18 Nov 2004
Location: Leeds UK
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Posted: Wed May 16 2007 00:19
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ill add in my 2 pennies worth as well, im andy that g3 mentioned earlier in the thread btw. heres a clip of my latest track...
www.futurestaterecords.com/akkiles_superstring_theory_experiential_rush_hour_mix_3_min_clip.mp3
heres what i do:
cut off freqs below 20hz always, we cant hear them anyway.
boost the low freqs till i get a nice rounded bass sound, particularly at 80 - 90hz give it a small boost (thanks to qbical for that one ).
make all my freqs below about 300 - 400 hz mono, i do this with otiumfx basslane which is free (google it).
boost my high freqs to make the percs/hats etc stand out. a boost of a few db around 12 - 14khz will give the track "air".
stereo enhancer on the track sounds nice, gives the track width.
compression and limiting are a pretty complex area to get right, and take practice mainly. theres no magic formula, so best is to listen and make sure it sounds good. avoid over compression which leads to a pumping sound and breakdowns (in dance music) sound weird. with limiting its best to make sure youre overall mix is around a few db below 0 to start with, so you have space to work. cant think of much else, but ive had a few beers.
cheers
andy |
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JayBaller10
Registered User
Joined: 25 Aug 2006
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Posted: Wed May 16 2007 04:49
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Haha, yeah definitely CD quality Andy... Im telling you two, Im glad that I don't make techno type of music because I don't think my brain could work that fast! Generally I try to stay away from techno because it seems as though it is never ending, but you two are putting so many intricate sounds to go with the beats, that it gives me respect for techno producers - only through the madtracker forum of course, but nonetheless, lots of respect. To think that those songs were made on a tracker is amazing...
I have to agree with you g3ronimo - piano was too loud and needed subtle reverb. Also, the vst instrument does not allow me to manage the attack on the cowbell sound and I went to the automation tab to try and manage the instrument attack there, but couldn't figure it out...?
You two told me to cut the freqs that are below 20hz. That happens in a VST effect right? I downloaded LFX, but didn't get a chance to look at it tonight. Im trying to learn these cutoff and boost freq tools, because right now its just foreign language. |
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mechanism
Registered User
Joined: 11 Jul 2003
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Posted: Thu May 17 2007 03:50
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Well for quite a few years I have tried mastering my own tracks. I have come to one conclusion: DON'T get someone else to master your tracks!
The reason being - it is good to have a fresh pair of ears to have another opinion on your music (mastering wise). A good master requires a very good monitoring chain ie:Acoustically treated room, good studio monitors etc. Mastered music is designed to make your music sound consistent, good levels, sounds nice on a wide range of different stereo systems. And clean up any mess you have made of mixing .
But if you are going to start mastering I'd suggest referencing your music to well produced albums and checking your masters on a wide range of different stereo systems. |
<~The Mechanism~>
http://mechanism.madtracker.net |
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Walter Vos
Registered User
Joined: 04 May 2003
Location: Groningen, The Netherlands
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Posted: Thu May 17 2007 08:28
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| mechanism wrote: | DON'T get someone else to master your tracks!
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You probably meant 'DON'T! Get someone else to master your tracks!' right? |
what is hip?
www.waltervos.nl |
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