Compression and Limiting / Why You Should NOT Add Any Before The Mastering Process

[dperry913MusicTracks]

So-called gluing compression is part of mixing, though, not mastering (necessarily). I'm thinking of classic console stereo buss compression (e.g.. SSL).

[JamieTateJamieTate]

Printing to -3 can get the mix engineer in trouble. If my clients get mixes that aren't hot enough they'll go to another mix engineer. Silly, I know, but that's reality.

The mastering engineer will have to turn down the signal if they feel it's too hot to deal with.

[WyldeMagiK]

I just make sure my final mix has very few peaks at 0...and the rest no more than an 1/8 inch from 0...plenty o' room to adjust later...and that's AFTER the tracks themselves have been EQ, COMPRESSED as needed...

[Simonefunkydrummer]

Great Words thanks!

[tcmmusicgroup]

I agree, when I am talking about not adding compression, I am talking about the hard limiting that that is always best added at the mastering stage. Mix bus compression to add punch and control is absolutely fine as long as it is peaking at around -3 to allow headroom for boosting at the mastering process. I hopes this helps to clarify. Regards. Ted.

[TheConvectuoso]

I'm sorry but what about the hundreds of mix engineers (including TLA, CLA, Andy Wallace etc etc) use mix bus compression? It's almost impossible to get the low end under control without using an SSL style buss compressor on the master. This a creative decision when it comes to balance and low end punch, one that should be left to the mix engineer and producer, not the mastering stage.

[sardhouse76]

loudness war is SICKNESS we have to come back on VINYL. no jokes, only good dynamic music

[NelsonClick]

You know what? Thank you. Thank you very much. This same question has bugged me for years. This is the FIRST time I've heard it from a true mastering engineer. Not having to worry about compression and limiting in the tracking process will make everything so much easier. Damn it! Do you know how much time I've wasted over the years fiddling around with compressors trying to finesse the right setting? A lot of time. A lot of wasted time that I absolutely hated. HATED!

[tcmmusicgroup]

In answer to some of the more negative comments here. I am simply passing on information for those that may be interested in learning about professional mastering. Of course, there are lots of plugins that can do the job but if you rely on a preset to do it all for you, you actually learn nothing, the quick fix can never replace knowledge and skill. There were no presets in my day, so I learned skills that have served me for a life time in music. The choice is entirely yours. Cheers Ted Carfrae.

[MassivePatches]

might be a dumb question, but do you mean on the master channel, or individual tracks like kicks, snares, etc.

i normally use a fair bit of compression on kicks, snares, busses, etc. but i make electronic music so i think its allowd :)

[lavondreaus]

hey can you make a video on mastering and editing on one of me pro tools session and that way you can show me what i did wrong

[wickedsquidprod]

I totally disagree. Applying compression on my 2-bus is essential to finish glueing a mix together.

[StoryWB]

So if you have your compression through plugins itb, couldnt you just take it off and send it in?

[MoralsBand]

@StoryWB Yea you could....remove your plugins and record the track bussed to a stereo track with no compression or limiting...at -3 or 4....and send it in....hes saying if you have any out board gear...record the track raw from the mic, then you can send each track out to your compressor, and re-record it...giving you more control...so you dont end up recording with a compressor and regretting it.

[yeoldeengineer]

Dithering should not be necessary when going from 32/96 to 24/96 - ~120 dB of dynamic range is plenty, usually you'll be noise limited at this point. When going to 16/44 though, I'd always use it - but that would be the mastering engineer's job in this case.

[MrHDProd]

i like this stuff man. left u thumps up and a comment.it would be so great if you return the favor :) it will help me alot :)

[BasicallyImPro]

Well I limit my final mix..if I don't then the bass isnt loud enough. My waveform still has peaks at the kicks and snares/claps. Anyone have advice besides lowering my drum volume levels?? Btw I make hip hop.

[bitcheznhos]

What about dithering ? Should I not use it and leave it to you.  I am using 96k 24 bit. How should I bounce them before mastering ?

[Asteski]

@bitcheznhos Dither definitely. :)

[thetruegents]

@Asteski Dither should only be applied when reducing the bit depth of audio.. say from 24 to 16 bit. To my mind, audio should be kept as unprocessed as possible when passed to mastering, so in that respect it should be kept at 24bit, which will allow the mastering engineering to work with the material at the highest (original) dynamic range. Only once the mastering processing has been applied should dither be used, for bouncing the audio down to 16bit for cd or such. What do you think?

[DeadlyMixKrew]

@bitcheznhos If it is going to be mastered, leave it and inform the mastering engineer to what you have it mixed down at. If you are not going to have the song mastered or the song is not going to be on an album or you want this version of the mix to be played (perhaps for a pre-release "leak") then you absolutely want to make sure you dither down to 16bit.

[jrhager84]

@bitcheznhos

You 'dither' when you reduce your bit depth, not sample rate. You should send the ME the best audio files you have, and they'll not only dither it to 44/16, but they'll give you DVD format (48/24) and other formats as well...(Should you so request)

[byouno93]

@bitcheznhos it's the mastering engineers job to dither. You don't want the mastering person to push up dither that you put in during the mixing stage.

[cangify]

how much do you charge for mastering...and do you prefer vocals and instrumental as two seperate files along with both mix so you can get a general feel of how its suppose to sound..?

[MrDemilord]

@cangify

why not use adobe audition, it has a hyper compressor and limiter in it