mastering query (Page 1 of 5)

In a lot of music the mastercompression is a integrated part of the sound, (not just the daftpunk approach) so you should also consiter it as such. When i do rough mixes during a recording session i usualy give the tracks a small squeeze with a software limiter and then a normalize. But remember to get a decent output level on your mix before you use functions like normalize, cos they compromise you signal to noise ratio.... Nearly all the jazz sessions I do, I also mix and master. And my approach with those productions are that I do the mastercompression in the mix. I usualy use the quad comp in the ssl as a fast peek comp and then our Fairman TMC as leveler. This combo works well with most jazz and softpop/rock tracks but in the case of a harder track, say a chartpop or hard rock mix, I often use a SSL Xlogic 5.1 (9000clone) comp in stereo mode, insted of the classic 4000 bus comp. When I do it like this the sound is usualy warm enough and I can do the mastering in the computer, but sometimes run tracks throug more outboard if necessary. BLA BLA BLA..... This doesn't help you.

In your case, do what ever you feel like and then listen to the track on as many soundsystems as posible. If it sounds good but a little lower then pro masters then you are proberly not all wrong. The only 3 crusial mistakes  you can make are having low end thinges that are out of phase, having way to much signal below 50hz making the speakers go flapediflap or ultra highs that peek the speekers and sound like shit..... Non of the classic rules apply anymore unless you are going to vinyl.
But on the other hand if you are doing a mix that is going to a pro mastering dude, then leve some work for him, only do sound dependent compression and speak with him about the sound you are going for. Maybe he preffers to get the track as "clean" as possible.

no mastering.

main outs go into a compressor with very mild setting more to make the sound from the desk a bit punchier, then onto tape. tape transfers to cd, which goes directly onto vinyl. only thing we do at the pressing plant is some slight eq, for instance maybe a little bass rolloff.
i feel a lot of music is raped these days by idiots with waves plugins or finalizer hardware.. all pumped up to the max like a bodybuilder on steroids. it can have its function in minimal or french disco house, but for the rest..
mastering is originally mainly a last correction of small mistakes, or an equalizer to make different sounding tracks more alike. or maybe even that little added sparke from a good hardware box.

the best mastering imho is the kind that you don't hear is there..

totally agree, too, but there's something missing regarding what 'mastering engineers' nowadays usually are:

"i feel a lot of music is raped these days by idiots with CRACKED waves plugins or finalizer hardware.." (;))

i'm afraid i still don't really know how to use a compressor...
and in that case it's always best to not use one.
So i never do.

i dont know a shit about mastering,still need to learn about mix to make a better sound and fix problems.

there is a difference between true mastering and just using a compressor/limiter on your end mix. that last one is not a bad thing, it blends your sound a bit more together, and can make your beats sound punchier. also it works in combination with your mixer, so different solutions exist for different mixers.

yes, the ''fix it with mastering'' myth is still alive. on the other hand, if you strip down all the pumped up stuff from both pop and dance music, there is not much left in a lot of cases. i remember talking to a producer who does his mastering at the same place as some well known trance producers, and he was blown away when he heard the crap some guys come in with, and the result these guys make from it. and this was a guy who had been producing for over 10 years.
i've also heard rough mixes and demo's from bands that sound absolutely horrible, flat and awful. if you look at it that way, mastering can really add some magic to a shitty mix..

Bunker has the best mastering : )

a wise man once told me: don't compress and don't equalize. i'm just passing on that wisdom.

fuck orange!!

When using a compressor on mastersignal from mixer (between mixer and amp i guess), i can get some sort of tape-like compression going on in real-time while mixing? I'd love that..

well, i remember reading an article in sound on sound about people mixing with compression on the master bus.  I've never actually tried it and most of the time i'd really rather leave technical compression to the pro's and i'd be weary of doing that unless it's an integral part of your sound.
when i play live i often chuck the mix through a little compressor and that works great..