Outsourced Mastering

Trep

Member
Mar 16, 2008
341
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16
Sydney, Australia
Im thinking of trying to Track and mix in My studio but get mastered elsewhere for a particular project coming up.

How do i Prepare my Stereo Files for this and should i not put any masterout Inserts on Cubase for this type of Job.

Has anyone had any experience with this.
 
+1 would like some details on this; I've heard you should keep a headroom of 6 db to let the mastering engineer do it's job properly?
info much appreciated!
 
In Pro Tools 101 at Berklee, this is what we were told to do when preparing our work for a mastering studio: "CD-ROM. Create this type of disc when you bring your music to a mastering facility. It’s a better option than making an audio CD, since the data is verified after writing and you can keep the files at a higher sample rate and resolution. I bring a disc with 96 kHz, 24-bit split stereo files to a mastering session in order to maintain the maximum sonic quality until the very end of the process. It won’t work in a standard CD player, but that’s not the purpose; I’ll have something to pop in the car stereo by the end of the mastering session!"
 
Hey Riffmachine, you go/went to Berklee too? What semester are you? I'm in my first semester of MP&E.

Hey, sweet. I just finished Pro Tools 101 and I have Critical Listening starting April 7. PT 101 was my first class, and I'm going for the master's certificate in audio production using pro tools. I really loved pt 101 and I'm excited to take advantage of all of berklee's resources. I'm the type of person that can figure things out on my own relatively well, but I learn more efficiently in a school environment. So, I'm really happy to be back in school for this. :kickass:
 
Im thinking of trying to Track and mix in My studio but get mastered elsewhere for a particular project coming up.

How do i Prepare my Stereo Files for this and should i not put any masterout Inserts on Cubase for this type of Job.

Has anyone had any experience with this.

-24bit wav or aiff files burned as data on a CD-R or DVD-R.
-Do not compress or limit the master buss for loudness...only for tone or control. Shaving off a few db is common, but don't get too heavy handed.
-Stay away from stereo imaging plugins on the master buss. As an effect on individual tracks can be fine, but the mastering engineer will make it as wide as you want.
-Leave space at the beginning and end of each track. Communicate song order, and any special fade ins/outs that need to be made. Communicate what you think are the strengths and weakness of each mix. Communicate how you want the songs to transition. Communication is key.
-Don't mix too hot! Loudness is achieved by the mastering engineer. Don't let your peak levels go beyond -6dbfs maximum on the master fader. Quieter than that is even better. Limiting headroom is limiting the options of the mastering engineer. Plus, there are people out there that say a digital mix benefits from lower tracking/mixing levels. Here are some thoughts on that.
-For the most flexibility provide "stem mixes" of your songs which is basically bouncing down stereo groups of drums, guitars, bass, and vocals separately so they can be processed individually if need be. It also avoids any drastic surgery that may need to be made which can impact your mix as a whole otherwise.

The big thing as the mix engineer is to focus on balance and musicality. Size and volume come later.

:rock: