Mastering question

[Fletchur]

Hello there, I am wondering what's the difference between these,

Having a track at -5db and being mastered, or having no mastering and moving it up to 0db. This sounds stupid but my track is near 0db after mixing and my faders are only at around 50% max, if i move them all down 10% and make more headroom to be mastered, in effective could I have not just moved them up say 10%, got rid of the headroom and got the volume like that?

Sorry if this sounds basic but I'm trying to get my head round making it quieter to make it louder, thanks

[mthrfnk]

Mastering isn't just raising the volume.

[Fletchur]

Mastering isn't just raising the volume.

Yeah, but if I am not having it professionally mastered, whats the point?

[WhaddupBrew]

Mastering isn't just raising the volume.

Yeah, but if I am not having it professionally mastered, whats the point?

Gives you more headroom if you ever decide to properly master it and it just overall makes the track sound clearer(IMO)

But the more headroom the better, the more comfortable I'd feel.

[zakski]

Some things should be done for the sake of discipline, young grasshopper.

[Fletchur]

Mastering isn't just raising the volume.

Yeah, but if I am not having it professionally mastered, whats the point?

Gives you more headroom if you ever decide to properly master it and it just overall makes the track sound clearer(IMO)

But the more headroom the better, the more comfortable I'd feel.

Yeah but like I said, I i attempt to poorly master it or dont bother mastering it at all then wont I just have a weaker sounding track?

[Mark-Creda]

Whatever you do please don't just use limiters.
Go for dynamics and make the track SOUND great .

[mthrfnk]

Mastering isn't just raising the volume.

Yeah, but if I am not having it professionally mastered, whats the point?

Gives you more headroom if you ever decide to properly master it and it just overall makes the track sound clearer(IMO)

But the more headroom the better, the more comfortable I'd feel.

Yeah but like I said, I i attempt to poorly master it or dont bother mastering it at all then wont I just have a weaker sounding track?

Technically yes, but it'll be as weak as if you didn't mix it down properly - just quieter.

Contrary to the poster above, I would just use a limiter on the final bounce of your mixdown to bring up the volume, just don't slam the shit out of it, stick to like a max 0.5dB gain reduction if you're really not sure what you doing. Hell read the manual for your limiter, it'll probably walk you through it. Or read the iZotope Mastering guide (it's free and awsm).

It's good practice to mixdown properly even if you're "self mastering" it.

[Mark-Creda]

While Limiters can be useful tools I see too many people just going straight for them.
I find going in on EQ'ing benefits just as well .
But a Limiter on the final mixdown is good as long as everything else sparkles and of course , like you say he doesnt just slam the crap out of it.

But I do agree the iZotope mastering guide is a good read .

[mthrfnk]

While Limiters can be useful tools I see too many people just going straight for them.
I find going in on EQ'ing benefits just as well .
But a Limiter on the final mixdown is good as long as everything else sparkles and of course , like you say he doesnt just slam the crap out of it.

But I do agree the iZotope mastering guide is a good read .

How can you equate EQ bringing the same benefits as a Limiter? Not trying to be a dick... just wondered.

[Genevieve]

I get your point, but what's wrong with having enough headroom to work with? Even if you're not getting it mastered, try having your tune peaking at -3 to -5 in mind from the moment you open your DAW until you're done mixing the tune. Then limit the master for the tune on soundcloud or to play out.

Mixing low is just a way of ensuring that no matter what you do, everything WILL fit at the end of the song and you're never gonna have to do drastic cutting that'll degrade quality or redo the whole mix from the start.

But to each their own.

[mr echo]

If you are not confident in your mastering skills then I really wouldn't bother mastering it yourself.

I am just at the point of mastering myself and do not plan on releasing anything until I have the hang of it. If I were you I would release the track however you think it sounds best... and then just post it up for feedback. That way you will get some objective criticism on your mix. Once you have the hang of mixing down properly, move on to mastering. But if you really feel that you cannot get enough headroom in your mix right now, my advise would be to keep practicing mixdown. There is most likely things you havn't the hang of quite yet.

For example, when EQ'ing.... are you mainly cutting or boosting? It is always better to cut if possible. Boosting all your tracks with EQ will just eat up unnecessary volume.

Hope this helps... I had very similar questions about 9 months ago