Mastering for Different Sound Systems.

[aDadWhoGames]

To the point: 

How do you master a track [I'm using fl studio daw] tobsoundnoptimal on a variety of systems.

 

I've been tweaking my work and then listen to it in the car, on ear buds, on noise canceling head phones, etc.

 

One or the other always sounds better than other. 

 

Any tips or insights?

[john]

Pick a reference track, in the same neck of the woods that you would like your track to end up. Pick something you are familiar with, have enjoyed in multiple environmentsListen to it. Run it through a spectrum analyser. Now tweak your track, shaping it into a similar space.

 

This is a mix of exact measurement, using your ears and using your mind.

 

Out of interest, did you consider a 3rd party mastering service?

 

I master my own demos but use 3rd party for finished tracks.

[aDadWhoGames]

Indeed I have considered a 3rd party, but itsnkind of my thing with everything I do: I need to learn to appreciate and understand it.

 

Like for instance, "spectrum analyzer." You just introduced that to me. Time for some research. 

 

But it seems it's more a question of patience too.

 

Thanks.

[Glammerocity]

Voxengo Span is a free plugin spectrum analyser, which I occasionally use on a master output, though not diligently - it can sometimes confuse rather than clarify, though that might just be me.

https://www.voxengo.com/product/span/features/

 

It's good to listen on other speakers for tweaks but I'd mostly rely on what you listen to other music on. I'd also suggest a few listens at quieter volume than you normally listen with. Everything sounds better louder. Can you hear everything when it's quieter?

 

I think technical aspects can sometimes blind us. You can get tied up in knots trying to fix what didn't really need fixing or trying to please every speaker in every room for every ear. It's amazing what your ear will quickly adjust to if the work has been done on the song first. If you listen to an old Ella Fitzgerald record, your ear soon filters out the scratches and you just hear a great singer with a great song. The fact it's all middle is inconsequential.

 

I use a free online mastering page to check my mix but I don't use their results, even though the algorithm has been created around what top producers do. It's still an algorithm, not a top producer. It's ok as a guide, which can often reassure me my mix is ok. I found it boosts loudness where you might not want it. https://www.bandlab.com/mastering

 

Here's a few tips I like and use consistently:

 

Get a delay calculator to work out compression attack and release times. I use Lyons Den, which is free. Type in the tempo and your compression will pump in time with your track.

https://github.com/JosephTLyons/GUI-Delay-Time-Calculator/archive/refs/heads/master.zip

 

Muddiness lives around 300Hz.

 

Two soft compressors are better than one harsh one. Alternatively, rather than adding compression to a track, copy the track and add an extreme compression to that, then mix it in with the original. Good for drums. It'll have the punch but retain the natural sound.

 

When setting compression threshold and ratio, the important figure is the gain reduction. Look for 3 to 6dBs on the loudest parts, or 1 to 2dBs on a master buss.

 

Try using a multi-compressor on the upper and lower mids of your master.

Therecordingrevolution.com has a useful compression checklist:

https://www.recordingrevolution.com/compression-checklist

 

The HCMS Mixing Cheatsheet also has useful starting points for EQ and compression:

https://hardcoremusicstudio.com/mixcheatsheet/

Edited August 8, 2023 by Glammerocity

[Mahesh]

13 hours ago, Glammerocity said:

Voxengo Span is a free plugin spectrum analyser, which I occasionally use on a master output, though not diligently - it can sometimes confuse rather than clarify, though that might just be me.

https://www.voxengo.com/product/span/features/

 

+1

 

Voxengo SPAN still remains a favourite and most used despite being free. I find it very useful while mixing as well, particularly for tone shaping/EQing my individual instruments to reflect some of the elements on the reference track I'd be using.

 

On 7/10/2023 at 12:16 AM, aDadWhoGames said:

Indeed I have considered a 3rd party, but itsnkind of my thing with everything I do: I need to learn to appreciate and understand it.

 

I totally resonate with that. Over the years, this very sense of curiosity has also helped me gain at least enough experience to have a real conversation with the mixing/mastering engineer with regards to what I'd want instead of using vague terms that could mean anything and just leaving things to interpretation.