Sounds like you need a good mastering engineer.

Sounds like you need a good mastering engineer.

The multiband comp./limiter is most likely the cause of the volume abnormality. I am not a big fan of multiband compressors for rock/pop mastering to start with. There aren't "basic mastering settings" Try an overall lower threshold and see if this helps. It's impossible for me to say for sure without hearing the music.

All your other problems are fixable with the proper tools and the proper engineer. If you have a noise reduction unit give it a try. If you can't get it to work find someone who can.

Hey Damohonda,

1. Multiband comp/limiters can be tricky to setup. Try lowering the input or raising the threshold, typically in mastering you don't want to squash it much, a couple db of gain reduction at most. Also check the attack and release times, adjust it so you get a nice open sound (start around 50 ms attack and 300 ms release), with a small ratio < 2:1.

2+3. For clicks, pops, hum and hiss try the Waves restoration bundle, they have a demo on their website. It's not bad, but don't over do it, try and keep it real.

Don't know of any good "freeware" plugs but there are hundreds out there, who's got the time? Find a couple ya like and learn to use them.

peace

If the clicks are not too many I would consider using a wave editor and "spot-treating" the clicks rather than dragging the whole track through an effect plug-in. What has worked for me is to simply copy a couple of wave-cycles of nearby material over the click. In most cases will get rid of the click and be otherwise not audible.

The hiss and noise is a tougher problem. You can use one of the plugs mentioned but it will likely affect the entire tune, not just the spots when you can hear the noise.

Professional mastering is generally worthwhile if you want your product to sound better than just a
"home-made demo".
Freeplug-insare usually not that great and fully support the "you get what you pay for" statement.

Just my opinion,

MisterBlue.