Mastering EQ is about balance, not matching. In this episode we explain what the difference is, why it matters and and ways you can get it right. Topics include:
- Why “radio ready” sound is a mastering myth
- How you can affect the balance of instruments in the mix, even within a stereo file
- A simple but crucial point of mastering technique
- The pros and cons of phase linear EQ
- Ian’s recommended EQ plugins
Links
Loudness means NOTHING on the radio - the proof
Question:
So many DAW's now come with their so called "Mastering Suites" One the one hand Ian you say always do mastering on the stereo two track (which is what I thought was the correct process in the first place) but all these DAW's have their mastering suites for mastering the final mix. So I'm confused about the process. Should I still go ahead and render down my final mixes to stereo 2 track first before starting mastering or go ahead with the Mastering Suite "Stuff" from the mix?
Question 2:
I was dealing with a harassment phone call when you mentioned the matter so must ask again.
If I am dealing with mastering an album of some kind (mine or someone else) and they have dramatically different songs back to back (for example say an acoustic piano female vocals song, and the song's intent is to sound like a live female vocalist singing with just piano accompaniment. Followed by a full band rock style song...when mastering can I adjust the EQ and compression for each individual song or is it a "One Size Fits All" scenario because I'm mastering an entire collection of songs?
@ Martin:
1. You mean apps like StudioOne ? I think that's an OK workflow - the key for me is to have all the songs laid out in sequence, and only work on stere files. StudioOne's mastering mode actually creates a rendered file in the background, fwiw.
2. Individual settings for all the songs, always. Otherwise it just ain't mastering. Take a look at the link above about "The Hear And Soul of Mastering" for more discussion
Hi any chance for a transcription on this?
Sorry, no plans for transcriptions at this point.
Great info about EQing where there isn't any sound. Thanks
Hi, I have heard about Pink noise for EQing ? Could you explain more about it and if it could apply to a mastering stage ?
Great show and thank you for sharing precious information about mastering.
Cheers,
Aloha Ian,
Great series of informative podcasts!
Question about mastering EQ.
I am now using more subtle shelving filters. They seem to work smoother,
however, do you use a high pass "cut off" filter to eliminate any sub frequency
before it hits any compression. If so, where to start rolling off…23?….32?…
It seems to make a difference in the clarity of higher end frequencies. Also - the
type of roll off, 12DB or 18 or 24 seems to make a difference.
I'm using FF pro EQ.
I use low cut filters sometimes, but only if I feel there's sub-bass content that's is causing problems - not as a default, in other words.