My mids/highs are 5-10db overcompressed?
Posted: Tue Mar 14, 2006 12:08 am
I just purchased a copy of Har-bal and have so far found it to be a wonderful tool so far for identifying rogue frequencies. Additionally, it's given me a whole new perspective on numerous aspects of my mixing/mastering technique. In doing so, I've discovered an issue I'm hoping someone can help with.
Har-bal has shown me that many of my mixes/masters are coming out with, at times, only a 5-10 dB difference between the peak and average power in the 500-8k range. Pro songs at a similar RMS, by comparison, tend to demonstrate one and a half to double this range mine show.
To demonstrate:
Here is a screenshot (with professional reference) and short audio clip of a typical master:
http://www.audiovisceral.com/avmaster.gif
http://www.audiovisceral.com/avmaster.wav
Here is a raw mixdown of the same song (has a bit less track compression on the drums):
http://www.audiovisceral.com/avraw.gif
http://www.audiovisceral.com/avraw.wav
My mastering chain is:
1) BBE Exciter
2) LinEQ/Waves Q (eq based on Har-bal guidance) - not yet performed in track above
3) TC NEss softnee compressor - 2 or 3 dB control compression to catch spikes
4) LinMB - Too Much Limiting with attack 90, release 100 on the low freq.
5) L3 - 5-9 dB of reduction
In general, I am happy with the overall RMS curves of my mixes/masters and thus their general sound. However, as a result of this issue, I have noticed that they sound overcompressed through the mids/highs, and I wish I could easily get my mid/high peak power up to where it should be.
What I've tried:
I have tried applying in my mastering chain LinMB upward expansion on the squashed range. However, I have not had luck accomplishing the 5-10dB or so of expansion I need to get it to a normal dynamic range. Additionally, doing this seriously alters the sound of the my songs.
I have also tried to correct the issue at track/mix level by varying (and even eliminating) individual track eq/compression. Another option I've considering is that I may be able to apply frequency-specific expansion (low attack/release to boost the transients) on virtually all the individual tracks. Both approaches have changed the sound of my music, but not significantly increased the separation I want to see between those two Har-Bal lines ... I feel at a loss.
My questions:
1) How should I interpret the squash between peak and average power in my mixes/masters?
2) Given the audio/screenshots above, what stage is this a problem to be fixed during?
3) If remixing is the key, which instruments might be causing the problem, and what sort of processing should I be aiming for?
4) If remastering is key, how can I best do so? Would faster attack/release or other different compressor settings be the solution?
I could really use the help with this, and it seems that everyone here is pretty supportive of DIY mastering.
Mike
Har-bal has shown me that many of my mixes/masters are coming out with, at times, only a 5-10 dB difference between the peak and average power in the 500-8k range. Pro songs at a similar RMS, by comparison, tend to demonstrate one and a half to double this range mine show.
To demonstrate:
Here is a screenshot (with professional reference) and short audio clip of a typical master:
http://www.audiovisceral.com/avmaster.gif
http://www.audiovisceral.com/avmaster.wav
Here is a raw mixdown of the same song (has a bit less track compression on the drums):
http://www.audiovisceral.com/avraw.gif
http://www.audiovisceral.com/avraw.wav
My mastering chain is:
1) BBE Exciter
2) LinEQ/Waves Q (eq based on Har-bal guidance) - not yet performed in track above
3) TC NEss softnee compressor - 2 or 3 dB control compression to catch spikes
4) LinMB - Too Much Limiting with attack 90, release 100 on the low freq.
5) L3 - 5-9 dB of reduction
In general, I am happy with the overall RMS curves of my mixes/masters and thus their general sound. However, as a result of this issue, I have noticed that they sound overcompressed through the mids/highs, and I wish I could easily get my mid/high peak power up to where it should be.
What I've tried:
I have tried applying in my mastering chain LinMB upward expansion on the squashed range. However, I have not had luck accomplishing the 5-10dB or so of expansion I need to get it to a normal dynamic range. Additionally, doing this seriously alters the sound of the my songs.
I have also tried to correct the issue at track/mix level by varying (and even eliminating) individual track eq/compression. Another option I've considering is that I may be able to apply frequency-specific expansion (low attack/release to boost the transients) on virtually all the individual tracks. Both approaches have changed the sound of my music, but not significantly increased the separation I want to see between those two Har-Bal lines ... I feel at a loss.
My questions:
1) How should I interpret the squash between peak and average power in my mixes/masters?
2) Given the audio/screenshots above, what stage is this a problem to be fixed during?
3) If remixing is the key, which instruments might be causing the problem, and what sort of processing should I be aiming for?
4) If remastering is key, how can I best do so? Would faster attack/release or other different compressor settings be the solution?
I could really use the help with this, and it seems that everyone here is pretty supportive of DIY mastering.
Mike