mp3 mastering

      				

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      				Posted : Jul 7, 2006 08:58

				

UnderTow is spot on. In fact, the low end and the lack of farfield
monitoring in the average project studio (as compared to "nearfield
plus sub") is IMO one of the most compelling reasons for getting stuff
mastered elsewhere. But never, ever pay for ridiculously expensive
mastering...diminishing returns sets in quickly on mastering $$$. The
MAIN value of mastering elsewhere is that second pair of trained ears,
and that brain which has been informed of the SOUND you are going
for...so if you want PURE sound with no loudness war levels then they
need to know it, and if not, then they need to know that too. 

And if you are mastering for the internet, like a 128kbps mp3, and
not a CD or LP release, you're better off just getting the mix sounding
great, inserting a linear phase EQ on insert 1, high passing around
70Hz, low passing around 100-150Hz, then sweeping the high pass slowly
down until the rumble starts to lose its rhythm and sound annoying.
Sometimes this can be as high as 50Hz or 60Hz, seriously. Depends on
how much of a trainwreck the bass and kick are. After that, an adaptive
multiband compressor, a readahead limiter, and you ought to be done in
my not so humble minimalist opinion.