Mastering is done on the entire mixed down 2 track recording (except for stem mastering which uses individual instruments or parts before the final mixdown). And it usually includes eq, compression, limiting, leveling, all to polish the sound before the project goes to duplication or distribution.

Hope this helps.

hrm

God this is going to sound soooooooo dumb, but what do you mean the final mixed down 2 track recording? As in the audio is mixed down to 2 tracks for stereo? This definetely helps and, again, I am massive newbie to recording really so if anyone has some good reliable sources for mixing/mastering or ANYTHING that might be useful let me know.

I have been reading up on a ton of sites regarding mixing the instruments together in order to form a cohesive unit, but as far as what to do after you get the mix sounding right(can't do that very well either, hahah), im at a loss.

By the way, can anyone point me in the direction of a good spectrum analysis tool(dang, whats the proper name of those things)? Preferably free! :D

Brett

By the way, can anyone point me in the direction of a good spectrum analysis tool(dang, whats the proper name of those things)? Preferably free!

*<points to ears>

:P

Reggie wrote:

By the way, can anyone point me in the direction of a good spectrum analysis tool(dang, whats the proper name of those things)? Preferably free!

*<points to ears>
:P

Yeah, really. Honestly, it doesn't sound like you're quite ready for spectrum analysis... but most 2 track software editors have something (Wavelab, SoundForge...)

As to mastering, mixing, audio in general, there are countless books on these subjects. Try your local library or just read a little more of these forums and you'll slowly but surely figure it out. That's how 100% of everybody around here got their start, through their own curiousity.

Also, where might one find some solid web-based articles on mastering?

http://www.digido.com, http://www.massivemastering.com, and many other independent mastering websites have superb info on the process for all levels.

-A. Hollis

Blah

*cry* But I want my spectrum analysis!!

Seriously, its no secret that I'm a newbie and I just realized that there is a newbie forum!! Yay!! You guys have to promise to help me out when I post in there though. Maybe one day I can sit at the big boy table.

About the spectrum analysis. I'm really interested in seeing where the peaks of the various instruments I am using are. I know that different instruments occupy different parts of the frequency spectrum and that, when mixing, its good to make room for the various instruments so that they don't cover eachother up. Is spectrum analyis overkill here?

I have taken a look at a couple EQ primers so I know, loosely, where the instruments sit, but don't different guitar tones sit differently in the range? Is there a better way to find out where your instruments are sitting without this tool? I can usually find unpleasant anomalies and notch them out by sweeping.

Say your guitar is covering up the vox and you want to make a little notch to uncover them. Do you cut the gain and just roll the frequency until you hear the vocals more clearly without killing the guitar tone? Thanks.

Brett

P.S. Sorry for posting in the main forums. I'll try to make this my last newb question here, but you can't get rid of me that easy! I appreciate all the help.

He he... you are a funny guy :lol:

Use your ears, not your eyes.
You need all the time you can get to train your ears, you haven't got time for your eyes.

Best bet is to listen to many different CD's. You can learn a lot from all types of CD's. Pop one in and listen for days on end. certain things may not come to you right off the bat. Listen to good ones and bad ones, both kinds will tell you a lot. what is right for one, may not be right for another.