Dubstepforum.com

This prolly going to get me flamed and etc... but im still a beginner, only started out a few months ago :]

Anyhows, i just cant seem to find what the actual difference is between Mixdown and Mastering.
Googled and searched on the forums but couldnt find the answer, so what exactly is the difference between the two?

Sorry for this noob question, but i just need to know cause its been bothering me and has been on my mind for a lil' while now... >_>

Thanks in Advance.

mixdown is getting all your levels and eq's right so everything sounds the way you want it befere you export it to wav/aiff whatever

mastering is all post production fixes before the final product

Mixdown is the process by which you end up with a series of tracks that are working well with each other with regards to volume, EQ and so on.


Mastering is the process that follows the mixdown where the mixed-down piece is perfected in terms of final sound-'polishing', increase in volume etc ready for release.

Aaah, i thank you kindly :] So basically, Mastering, is just makin' the finishing touches on the Mixdown? If im getting that right.

Thank you sirs kindly.

^^ thats it. mastering makes the mix loud and clean. focus on your mixing, leave mastering to the pros once you get your mixes right.

Mixing down = Finding the appropriate mathmatic and contextual place for the gain struture and effects of each element of a song, in order to create a cohesive, complete sounding track.

Mastering = Post production adjustment made by a Mastering Engineer, typically consisting of 128 band equing, compression, limiting, and the application of harmonic distortions.

the production chain consists of:

1. recording/producing a track (think arrangement)
2. mixing
3. mastering

mastering is the art (and yes, it is an art) of ensuring that your album, EP, or what have you flows and sounds consistent. and by consistent, i mean making sure your tracks are all at similar volumes once the mastering process is done.

a mastering engineer will use most of the same tools as anyone who mixes or produces: compressors, EQs, etc. im not sure that any mastering engineer uses a 128-band EQ. often times mastering guys will use a linear phase EQ, but not necessarily 128 band. (on a side note, i would advise against using Limiters in the mixing process; not a hard and fast rule, but certainly a suggestion)

in fact, look at some of the GML mastering EQs. not even close to that number and still some of the most revered EQs in the universe: http://www.massenburg.com/c/gml/mod9500 ... d=ISBFzAMk

tundra wrote:(on a side note, i would advise against using Limiters in the mixing process; not a hard and fast rule, but certainly a suggestion)

Yeah, limiters and compression on your master channel are a bad idea, andll eat your dynamics up alot, n youll get some complaints from the M.E.s ...

I through 128 band in there because I was always told the masters rule of them was as precise an EQ as possible, with as little phase as possible, hence like you said, the linear phase eqs... I imagine some probably work clear down to 16/32 bands though with no problems or noticable difference at all, which EQ they personally prefer will usually dicate all its processes, not really for us to speculate on...

Oh... n alot of masters, have Vintage Warmer... Is nice when they use it, not so nice when we do...

Impact wrote:Aaah, i thank you kindly :] So basically, Mastering, is just makin' the finishing touches on the Mixdown? If im getting that right.

Thank you sirs kindly.

in an ideal world, you've made all the finishing touches to your mixdown IN the mix... all mastering engineer should have to do is turn it up to full level.

mastering used to mean the mostly-mechanical/physical process of preparing the recording for pressing, and making whatever frequency and dynamic changes that were required to get the music onto the media. later, as the album became the standard way that people consumed music, it also included making those adjustments so that the LP worked, sonically, as a collection of songs.

since we're essentially back to singles, nowadays it basically means treating the mixdown of a single track so that it sounds as good as it can.

but seriously-- get yr mix sounding GREAT; only leave volume for the mastering engineer and you'll have a very happy mastering engineer.

Mixing down tracks I find to be *very hard* work. Gonna have to go have a descent read up on tips and such I think =))

I don't even want to start thinking about mastering .... I reckon it would be much easier to leave that to some pros ...

zitanb wrote:Mixing down tracks I find to be *very hard* work. Gonna have to go have a descent read up on tips and such I think =))

I don't even want to start thinking about mastering .... I reckon it would be much easier to leave that to some pros ...

I Agree on this, I find mixing down also very hard.. let alone mastering indeed...

Mastering is so important. So is mixdown. So is the song.

On mixdown's this thread is brilliant: http://www.dubstepforum.com/this-thread ... 74832.html

Setting your drums lower at around -8 db0 was a very helpful tip Still need to understand EQ's / Compression and heaps more for good mixdowns.