Production skills, tips, tricks and techniques

[Maven]

I am not great on mastering but lately I've been reading a lot about it and lowering the master volume doesn't help. Your master channel meter should hit around -8 to -6.

[Exley]

Ok, thanks

Is there any plugin on which i could set -6db on the master (so it doesn't go above that), something like a limiter ? or i can do that with basic fruity limiter ?

[Maven]

I think you have to mix your channels in order to that, so when you are done your master meter will be bouncing around -8, -6db

[Exley]

Yeah, i see, just started practicing, it's funny right now, but i think i will get used to it

thanks mate, cheers

[Maven]

Yeah, I am on the same boat. Mixing is clearly the hardest part as you assume you are playing your track really low on volume trying to get enough headroom but hopefully after mastering it will be loud and clear as crystal.

[supracg]

What you could do is you have the mix you like, you can either select all of your tracks and decrease the volume by 5 db or w.e you like, or you can send everything into a bus then decrease the fader by 5 db, and send that bus into the master channel. This way the mix coming into your master channel is at -5 db of what you had your mix at earlier

[Maven]

What if your individual channels are peaking, that is a problem. I don't think you can solve things like that.

[TakOff]

I think you have to mix your channels in order to that, so when you are done your master meter will be bouncing around -8, -6db

Dont pull the volume down from the master, from my understanding your not gaining any headroom your just lowering the volume. What you want to do is lower the individual mixer tracks. On your final mixdown start with your kick and let it peak somewhere around -12db to -8db, (everybody has a preferred db. level, find yours) then start mixing your drums and lead in accordance to how loud the kickdrum ( kick should always be the loudest) after everything is leveled properly, just boost the kick volume a touch to be sure it sticks out! You should have no less than -3db of headroom after your mix is done... depending on your master chain maybe you need more headroom maybe not you'll have to play with it and see what sounds best. Next time you mix and master a track, maybe try 3 different mixes with all different amount of headroom left and then master and try and compare what sounds best after the master.

This has been disscussed a lot!!! Take the time to search this thread and you'll find that some pretty talented artists have talked about the final mixdown and master process on this thread.

[awini]

hey wats up every one !! am getting started with the sound design and making my own sounds like I want so can you give tips advices, maybe some tutorials to make sure that am learning the basics thank you
( I really need some help )

Yep. Read this topic from the start. And then once again.

Honestly, I doubt you can get more knowledge anywhere else.

+1

Just today finished reading this topic. Some mad tips in these 400+ pages.

It seemed to work for Afrojack...

thx every one for your advice !! I will read this topic from the begging and check what worked for Afrojack !!

[DennieMeister]

Ok, thanks

Is there any plugin on which i could set -6db on the master (so it doesn't go above that), something like a limiter ? or i can do that with basic fruity limiter ?

I can really recommend you this masterclass by D. Ramirez, if you've watched these video's you know all the basics of producing a track from start to end.
Reaaally valuable information for free!

[Exley]

Thanks a lot mate, gonna check it out.

[TakOff]

Ok, thanks

Is there any plugin on which i could set -6db on the master (so it doesn't go above that), something like a limiter ? or i can do that with basic fruity limiter ?

I can really recommend you this masterclass by D. Ramirez, if you've watched these video's you know all the basics of producing a track from start to end.
Reaaally valuable information for free!

Great Post! Thanks for sharing, really valuable information

[Dannyrez123]

You have to remember that when doing a mixdown and mastering your using different sounds which use different frequencies, so your mix down and master is never gunna be the same as when someone explains it on youtube take tips but dont rely on it, use your ears!

[IamChuck]

You have to remember that when doing a mixdown and mastering your using different sounds which use different frequencies, so your mix down and master is never gunna be the same as when someone explains it on youtube take tips but dont rely on it, use your ears!

Or use your eyes and some good spectrum.
Anyway agree with you.

[Puusti]

I just realised something. I have sampled a bunch of nice kicks from like 5 tracks, but they were mp3 files.
I guess they are pretty much useless, no?