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engineer971 30 January 2011

I guess this is something I should have asked long ago.

I've been putting this chain together

EQ
Multiband compression
Magnetic simulation
Limiter
Maximizer/Dither

What other good plugin chains are good to use when mastering?

Comments

Massive Mastering Sun, 01/30/2011 - 10:09

You use what the mix asks for - Not a predetermined chain...

I'd start by removing the maul-the-band compression and the tape simulation right off the bat... Sure, typically you're going to use some sort of equalization and dynamics control (I haven't used a MBC on a mix in --- well, it's been months at least -- And if the mix is screwed up enough to need it, I'd much rather ask for a remix) and tape sim is *very* program dependent to say the least.

What's your version of the difference between a limiter and a "maximizer" in this case...?

engineer971 Sun, 01/30/2011 - 10:14

Be easy on me, I'm just trying to learn here.

I'm no expert or trying to portray myself as such.

I don't know what the difference between a limiter and a maximizer is. All I know is I add things that sound good to my ear, and usually in the type of music I play, bluegrass, there's less variation in mixes, even good mixes, in the line up.

TheJackAttack Sun, 01/30/2011 - 11:18

http://akmedia.digidesign.com/products/docs/prd_1052_8564.pdf

The dither function would be used when bouncing down a track to a different bit rate. This is a separate function from the actual compressor/limiting function and is included because Protools didn't contain a built in dither (unless PT9 now has one). Also, some plugins change bit or sample rate when they process in order to relocate any digital errors out of the human range of hearing (noise shaping).

So it is a function of understanding what the words mean and what their functions are. And not believing all the propaganda Avid or anyone else publishes.

Thomas W. Bethel Mon, 01/31/2011 - 05:14

engineer971, post: 362592 wrote: Be easy on me, I'm just trying to learn here.

I'm no expert or trying to portray myself as such.

I don't know what the difference between a limiter and a maximizer is. All I know is I add things that sound good to my ear, and usually in the type of music I play, bluegrass, there's less variation in mixes, even good mixes, in the line up.

A suggestion...instead of posting why not take some time to search out and read other posts on this same question. Your question gets asked about once a week or more. Answering the same question over and over and over again seems pointless since the person asking for the information can just as easily do a search on the forums and find all the answers. Also if you are REALLY interested in mastering the first thing I would do is get Bob Katz's book and read it cover to cover twice. That will answer a lot of questions AND will help you understand more about what mastering is all about. If you still have questions that you do not understand then come back and ask them.. Here is the book on Amazon [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.amazon.c…"]Amazon.com: Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The art and the science (Book) (9780240808376): Bob Katz: Books[/]="http://www.amazon.c…"]Amazon.com: Mastering Audio, Second Edition: The art and the science (Book) (9780240808376): Bob Katz: Books[/]

FYI there are NO SET rules for mastering nor are there "preferred plug-ins" or setup "order". Every song is different every mastering setup is different and everyone has different ways of working. As a famous mastering engineer once said "do what the song tells you to do"

Hope this helps!!!

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