can't get gain like any cd.

spiderman · Post by **spiderman** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 3:53 am

no !
compression is distortion !

bbrian · Post by **bbrian** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 4:35 am

Yea, limiting distorts! Fuck other commercial releases, they are all slammed to have no dynamics. The volume knob on your stereo is meant to turn things up! Waves L1 is just a shadey distortion box. If you still want a few more DBs get your stuff professionally mastered on 1/2" tape, you can sneak at least 3db extra that way, and it will sound fat and smooth as a baby's bottom!

bbrian · Post by **bbrian** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 4:36 am

PS - The better (more balanced) your mix is, the easier it is to make louder and limit with fewer artifacts. Check your frequency balance!! Bass instruments too loud in the mix eat up precious headroom, so check on good monitors in a tuned room.

kensuguro · Post by **kensuguro** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:13 am

ya, I should try harmonic shapers. I suppose it's the only way you can apply distortion to bass and get away with it. Overdriving a low instrument definitely doesn't work.

at0m · Post by **at0m** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 5:35 am

Also, try analog summing. I output as much as possible to the analog mixer, usually take STM2448 Mix and Busses outputs - that just fits my 10 analog outputs. Would love to do more, but that's gonna cost some extra €€€ eh.

Valis compared both and just looking at the screenshots of the wave it's more dense, less peaks, looks smoother overall, on analog summing.

I have some mixing questions, and Lima would like to hear about your favorite mixes...

Fun topic

firubbi · Post by **firubbi** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 9:02 am

harmonic shapers & analog summing? how could i get that? can't undo(ctrl+z)on sfp

is there any other way?
thanks

Post by **garyb** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 12:10 pm

tape "warmth" is compression/distortion.

use compressors and other dynamic tools wisely and have loud but pleasing results...

it takes practice and everyone in the mastering business does it differently, so keep at it. one trick is to not try to get all the effect all at once. use a few different devices in stages throughout the process. too much sounds bad, so better to go for less "volume" and more quality if it comes to that, but you should be able to get pro results if you mess with it....

bbrian · Post by **bbrian** » Mon Aug 30, 2004 11:42 pm

Yes tape "warmth" is partially due to subtle EQ (a slight hump at 40hz, smoothing of HF content), a very complex and subtle compression, and harmonic distortion. Still there is nothing that sounds as good as it...this would be the holy grail of digital processing, but I guess Cranesong HEDD192 is supposed to be excellent at this.

nprime · Post by **nprime** » Tue Aug 31, 2004 1:03 am

A badly used compressor can ruin everything.

I personally find overcompressed music fatiguing to listen to. I think dynamics are are a good thing. Obviously they have to be controlled and kept within certain limits, but I don't like squashing the hell out of every track.

The careful placement of bass frequencies and their levels is very key, and as bbrian said you need to hear the mix in a proper room with accurate monitors. However keeping your eye on the bass levels on the meters can give you a clue as well.

Yes you just about have to compress vocals and bass guitars, and certain guitar sounds require sometimes very extreme compression.

But, personally, I think getting hung up about the ultimate level is a red herring.

R