RPM - Mastering - Status

[Martin Naef]

Hi Romain,

On 28.02.2012 9:03, Romain / rXg wrote:
> Thank you to answer me with very interesting details, it's super
> appreciated :)

I'm glad to share! It's a learning experience for me as well, so it's 
always good to exchange ideas with fellow musicians!

> On internet i found mostly details and information for mastering but one
> track only or individually ...

I don't think it's really all that different. It's just one more 
consideration to take into account, and I find it easier to match the 
tracks if they're all in the same project as I can very quickly go back 
and forth.

> I never used Samplitude,
> I used Cakewalk daws from 2003 till 2007,

I still use Cakewalk for my composition work. You could use that for 
mastering as well, I just find that Samplitude has more tools (e.g. 
visualizations) out of the box, and I'd definitely miss the integrated 
CD burning features.

> I m impress about the result of your work, with no effect from Waves or
> UAD,PSP, Manley rings the bell tho  ...

There's a ton of options these days. Waves had a great reputation in the 
past, but I think today there are a ton of alternatives available (for a 
lot less money). I have to say that the tools in Samplitude are 
extremely good. I wouldn't hesitate mastering a complete project with 
only what they offer.

> One stupid question : do you 'automate' some effect?

I never did that for mastering. But it might be useful - I think your 
track could actually have profited from some automation to give it more 
punch in the second half.

> I guess Paul Punkdisco has one Focusrite Liquid Mix but I m not sure,
> will you advice this device to buy for the price and quality of it ?

I certainly like the results, the tangible interface and the peace of 
mind that comes from knowing that people with a lot more experience than 
I have think it sounds great... But if money is short, there are 
probably more economic ways to get great results.

>   I'm glad that you told me about the low content cause I used a High
> Pass on each track and also when i had to prepare the song for the
> mastering  I always had one eye on the  frequency analyzer ... So after
> your tip : I should cut more :P

Probably, yes. You may also try to emphasize the higher harmonics on the 
bass and then turn down the complete track in compensation.

But I think you should focus more on the separation. Turning back the 
bass a bit during mastering was easy. But having different instruments 
occupying the same frequencies (e.g. voice and guitar) is much more 
problematic.

> Anyhow my living room ( where i record and mix)is not acoustically
> isolated properly for mixing ...
> Of course I can do some installation for the purpose if it s needed but
> then my place  becomes something not really livable anymore except if
> music is your life :)

You might still be able to gain something by trying out different 
speaker placement, having damping in the right place (e.g. the sofa) 
etc. Acoustic treatment really makes a huge difference, and I don't 
think my absorbers in the studio look particularly bad - it's rockwool 
in wooden frames of about 2x1m, covered with a nice fabric.

> One more question; (all on your honor )
> Did anyone in the past wanted to pay you to master their tracks ? :P

Nope, that never happened to me. There's not exactly a shortage on 
mastering services... Besides, I probably wouldn't accept it. I may have 
some experience, but I don't have the critical monitoring environment 
that's required to *guarantee* the result. It's a hobby, and if people 
tell me they like the results, that's really all the satisfaction I 
need. ;-)

Martin