problem with pumping parallel compression mastering techno

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 5:56 am

hello

i have produced some techno tracks that i am now trying to
master by myself for demo purposes and to test them on bigger club pas

i am doing this as the final process all inside my production session
recording the final stereo file to 16bit

after trying to gather some knowledge about mastering techno i could find
out that parallel compression on the master bus is a very common thing to do

basically the mastering process that im looking for is to faten up the whole mix
and to give it a compact and punchy sound

the compression method that is often used in this process:
very low threshold, highest possible attack time and lowest possible release time
using these settings on the waves ssl bus compressor i had some really amazingly great results with
the first track
it adds a well desired pumping effect

with the very loud kick drum that stands out in techno tracks it gave the whole mix
the effect that i have aimed for, doing this inside the production session gave me the chance to adjust
levels when they where changed too much due to the compression effect

i know this might sound very alienating to some of you mastering pros who are used to
carefully mastering acoustic material und stuff like that but in my case it did the job very well

now here comes the problem:
when reaching the same stage with my second track i was already excited
to hear the results of the same process but it just wont work
i mean i would never complain about that because i am used to fighting my way
and to gather knowledge by myself for quite some years but somehow i would be glad if
someone had a hint for me...

with that second track what happens is that the compression
brings up the first kick drum in every bar a lot more than the other ones
also the effect on the whole track is not sounding as fat as in the first one
the elements in that second track are basically very similiar to the first one

do i have a chance having a similar result as in the first track by adjusting atk and rls times
or is it simple possible the first track was a lucky shot and i wont have my good results that easily?

i would be happy if anyone could help me...

thanks,
daniel

Posted: Tue Jan 08, 2008 6:34 am

you should try and use longer attack time to get punchier basses, and lower ratio too...

Posted: Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:18 pm

I would have to say that every track is a little different, and while I use some templates when I master hip-hop, rap or techno tracks each needs some tweaking.

Could be that your actual bass sound needs to be compressed a little more before hitting the master bus, that can make the compressor "stick" because the over all frequencies in that range are louder.

I assume we're talking 60-100 Hz for the "pumping" effect?

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