Scope and Mastering

[Jah Servant]

want to share some mastering techniques?
It'd be great to be able to send things out but often I have to do it and I'm not always pleased as I'd like to be.
I'm having problem keeping some punch but maintaining peaks, normal thing I guess. I think part of the problem is that I've maybe been mixing my kick drums a little too hot as well and that's making too much peak to listening level problem, so I'm trying to control that somewhat. But I've read in Bob Katz's book that it's not uncommon to have 14 db difference between peak and average listening level and sometimes up to 20db (considered a max) I often have maybe around 17db and it's mainly from the kick drum. I do alot of reggae so there is mainly a one drop beat, the kick and sidestick hitting together on the 2 and 4 count. This needs to hit but still be under control, any help would be helpful I'm happy with the sound of the mix, it's just trying to keep that into the sound of the mastered song. I know I can push the output of vinco making it soft clip more, it sounds ok, doesn't squash the sound once the attack isn't too fast, but I'm not sure of the real consequences of this, sonically that is.

[nightscope]

want to share some mastering techniques?

Hi, Jah. I like mah reggae.

Well, I'm no mastering engineer, to be sure.

If, as you say, you're happy with the mix then all is well. But you say you have reservations about your kick and snare poking thro at intervals.

Sounds like this would be best addressed at the track level rather than using a soft clip on the mix buss. A limiter/clipper on either or both drum tracks might help control things. A transient designer type plug could retain or add required punch.

I'm not entirely sure myself how the Scope soft clip works, so if any of the developers could illuminate me then please do!! Traditional clipping, as I understand it, shaves off the top of the wave form, whereas limiting bring the level down a bit. Vinco is a great plug but a bit of a beast, loads of character, and not something I would normally sling across a mix buss. But that's just me and for other folk's material it may well be just the ticket. If it was the only option available for a mastering job I think I would set it up as a limiter and miss out the softclipping. Actually, the brainworx mastering plugin is good for sorting out the kick drum and bottom end mono stuff, as the mono inserts can be used. I'd still try get it right in the track first tho.

When all's said and done it's a matter of what you personally like the sound of, I guess.

Not much use, I know, but I'm definitely in the "if it sounds OK then it is OK" arena rather than being in the "Am I doing it right" one. Hell, no-one's gonna know anyway!!

I am curious about the Scope softclip tho.

ns

[firubbi]

[quote=" I do alot of reggae .[/quote]
maybe garyb can help.....
you must need analyzer,bx is another great tool...
thanks

[Mr Arkadin]

Maybe Transient Designer might help a bit too. i assume you already use OptiMaster and PsyQ?

Also it's worth putting a high pass shelving EQ on all instruments to get rid of any unneccessary bass energy - i usually start with an 80Hz roll off and tweak up from there. Even the bass instruments could do with some cut - you may find once you cut then compress a kick for example you will actually perceive more power by taking away some of the bass energy.

[Funky r]

The dynapara MS is a great tool for mastering too, with brainworks,

[Jah Servant]

I'm actually very happy with the mix, it's just the whole problem of increasing overall loudness afterwards removing too much of the power.
I will try al bass roll off and see what happens. If we could master as in the vinyl record days, or even early cd days it wouldn't be a problem, but these days people expect too much loudness.

[voidar]

Try the new HighTimes meter available in the devices section. It has K-metering.

I usually use the De-Vice' Levil Devil as the last effect in my mastering chain, set it at limiting and apply around 25-30 dB reduction for really loud mixes. But the trick is to have its output clip as it's very warm and smooth.
I am not sure, but I think using the ASIO-FLT drivers help alot as there is no problem with clipping at the transition between your DAW-software and SFP.

Other than this there should be no different approach mastering with SFP than with other hardware/software .

Just use your ears.

[pollux]

Maybe Transient Designer might help a bit too

Transient Designer is mostly to be used on single tracks, prior to or during the mix.

Generally speaking it's of little use during the mastering.

Otherwise, as it has been pointed out, bx_digital and dynapara M/S are very nice mastering tools. Orbitone is a nice mastering compressor too

[firubbi]

hi voider tell me more about ASIO-FLT

[FrancisHarmany]

ASIO FLT is 32bit Floating point Driver I think.......

SFP only translates the Floating Point to an integer I assume ?

[Mr Arkadin]

Maybe Transient Designer might help a bit too

Transient Designer is mostly to be used on single tracks, prior to or during the mix.

Generally speaking it's of little use during the mastering.

Sorry, that's what i was talking about - sorting the mix out before mastering so that you can increase the overall energy before applying a mastering tool such as OptiMaster. Also the comment about EQing applies to individual tracks too etc. Sorry, didn't make that very clear. i would never use TD or EQ on the two-track master.

[voidar]

ASIO FLT is 32bit Floating point Driver I think.......

SFP only translates the Floating Point to an integer I assume ?

Yes, by using the FLT-driver you let SFP handle the float->interget conversion instead of the host. Some hosts won't even take anything else.
It will also normalize your output which means overs will be no problem.

[Smix]

yes jah s bless
why not post a mix so we can offer ideas
i tend to use for mastering eq + multiband comp but sometimes a mix might
need some spacific effect if a kik is to load or thudy then it should be eq-ed
in the mixing prosess without hearing the track i can only offer general advice
witch may or may not apply

[pollux]

Sorry, didn't make that very clear. i would never use TD or EQ on the two-track master.

Maybe not for a "normal" master.. but being creative, there are no rules