:)

skill
careful use of compression and eq
and knowing which box to use for which effect

this could be why some mastering engineers can still get the big dollars

practice, practice, practice

Cheers Kev!!

Do you have any suggestions you think would help heres the song, goto http://www.inexrock.com its the 3rd song on the player called dont blame me

A little hard to comment when all I've got here is computer speakers
but
the three songs sound typical with no particular errors ...
People will suggest a re-mix and fix the snare and other will say guitar solos are out ... the backing vocals are too low ... blah blah blah

You need a Tech/Producer guru to be your bands crap detector and general advisor.
I believe every artist needs a voice of reason to help you through the BS.

Having said that,
get your usual crew to do a mastering job on the songs and use a couple of tricks of the trade and get a couple of master options.

Have your closest advisors view the results and learn about what has happened to the mixes.

IF the budget is there ... then take these songs to a Mastering Specialist and talk to him and listen to what he says.
DON'T give him specific instructions and just let him do his thing.

Is the final mix on analog or digital ?

I'm listening to the third song now.
I would probably use my DAW and do an automated eq/comp trick in the different parts of the song by working backwards from the loudest parts of the song and then look to set up a quiet side in the other sections.

... that's just my way and I'm not a money Masterrer.

I have been critical of masterrers and big ticket studios in the past BUT today the guys that really do have the experience and are still on their game are well worth your budget.

Choose your people wisely and things will fall into place.

yes a good masterr can really bring out the best in a album. i just finished a production with a R&B acoustic band that asked me to master them. i said no, because i know that they can affourd some one whoe knows more about mastering then i do.

hey guys thanks for all your input! Its the 3rd song were having real trouble with

we've had to start it too quiet so that the song builds towards the end, but am aware that there must be techniques to keep the qualities of a gradual build up/crescendo in a song whilst letting it start loud enough so that it doesnt feel out of place. so i take it good mastering would help with this problem?

we have done this entirely ourselves on no budget besides the studio gear we have (roland vs2480 24track HD studio) - any tips or techniques???

our system allows for basic mastering, but would it be better to take it to a masterer and how much would u need to spend for it to be beneficial?