Per last post in the Stairway Mix thread I've settled on a mix for this particular vocalist. The unmastered 24 bit .wav file for that is here: https://www.dropbox.com/s/5frcrwdb5m1maxy/Stairway-MichellePV9.wav?dl=0
So I've "Mastered it" My process following the recommendations in this thread was:
- 24 Bit Wav loaded into Reaper
- EQ1
- EQ2
- Multi-Band Comp
- Fab Filter Limiter
- various meters
into 24 bit Wav as a Master Mix at null position on Master Bus - File can be DL'd here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/an0hj4v8tdkh4im/MasterStairwayMPV9-1.wav?dl=0It produced the following measurements for me:
1 - MasterStairwayMPV9-1: -13.3 LUFS, Range: 14.9 LU, True peak: 0.3 dBTP, Max short-term: -6LUFS, Max momentary -3.7 LUFSSame Master as 16Bit wav w/ dithering/noise shaping is here:
https://www.dropbox.com/s/j6auwaatweew95w/MasterStairwayMPV9-1-16bitwav.wav?dl=0The same Master rendered as an MP3 is uploaded here locally. Note Quality at VBR is 80% due to file size limitation
How does this process sound and how does this Master attempt sound considering the process? Am I in the ballpark or compliant with respect to loudness etc? Many Thanks
MasterStairwayMPV9-1MP3Attached files MasterStairwayMPV9-1MP3.mp3 (11 MB)
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I decided I really didn't like what the mastered song was soundi
I decided I really didn't like what the mastered song was sounding like - some of that was the mix itself so I went back in a remixed. I tried to preserve the gentleness of the song and eliminate what I thought were some of the more harsh and piercing elements of my mix & master. The result (the newest mix) was much more true to the original Stairway mix. When I came back to mastering I simplified the process. I eliminated 1 EQ and also the multi-band compression that I used and I changed my limiter settings in such a way as to make the master less punchy - keeping it much more transparent and true to the mix. I think the result is much better and easier to listen to without the fatigue I was getting. I also made sure to compare/contrast with the original Zeppelin master during this process and that served me well. So today at least I'm feeling pretty good about this one.
Process
- EQ1 (T-Racks CS Classic EQ)
- Fab Filter Pro L (lookahead .49ms, attack 259.1ms, release 440 ms - gain +18.4)
- Various Meters
Result:
1 - MasterStairwayMPV12b: -12.5 LUFS, Range: 16.0 LU, True peak: -0.5 dBTPHere's a compressed MP3 of the master:
MasterStarirwayMPV12b.MP3[MEDIA=audio]http://recording.or…
Attached files MasterStairwayMPV12b.mp3 (11.1 MB)
I have noticed that a couple elements of the mix that I like did
I have noticed that a couple elements of the mix that I like didn't quite carry over to the master - the recorder parts are too loud and there's a bit of a boost to the mids that's a bit too much. Not sure if this was the mastering EQ, or the multi-band compression, or just a consequence of the increased gain on the limiter. I'll compare and see if I can get a better V2 master that's more in keeping with the original mix.
Made some adjustments to the mix and on the master I added another band to the multi-band comp which gave me more more options in the mids. The new mix (pre-master) is available on request:
MasterStairwayMPV10-mp3
[MEDIA=audio]http://recording.or…
Attached files MasterStairwayMPV10-mp3.mp3 (11 MB)