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[mild7]

I have about 20 songs (all given to me by the bands who recorded them, if you are wondering). I would like to make them a uniform volume and 'pump them up' as much as possible. I have a couple of ideas about how to do this (and I'm pretty far along with one method) but I know there must be a better way. I would be interested in any suggestions and advice from you knowledgeable people in this forum.

Ideally, the cheaper the software the better, but I am also interested in what you think would do the best job given that I am something of a novice and will have the manual open in front of me. That is, if it's more expensive but much easier to use . . .

Thank you.

[the dur]

The cheapest way to master would be to use the compressors and eq in protools 5.0 free available at www.digidesign.com. However this would require some knowledge of how to use a compressor.

The easiest way to master would be to process the tracks through the mastering program called T-racks.

goodluck!

[WSpeckmann]

... and the best way is either Spark XL & a lot of Wave PlugIns or (don't laugh!) : good ol' SoundDesigner (running on a NuBus System) & a lot of Wave PlugIns.

Kind regards
Walter

[Synthetic]

here is what I do to master my tracks. I work in ProTools so after I bounce out the tracks from original session, I pull the tracks into a template session I made called 'Mastering' and it has about 3 different plugs already setup up that I use for my tracks. I use the EQ, ChannelStrip, and a compression RTAS plug. I use the automation in PT to get each section of the track sounding the way I want then I bounce to disk. Then the final step I take is to run it through the T-Racks 24 app and apply some kinda preset such as tube warmth or a little more compression and then bounce that out as my final mix. I like using T-Racks last because it helps knock of the digital harshness and can make a track a little more analog sounding or saturated as if recorded on tape (well close to that kind of sound anyhow).

There are many ways to go about it. just depends on the software you can buy or have and how much time do you want to consume doing it.

[kryngle]

Howdy all,
I'm wondering if any of you out there have used 'PEAK LE' from BIAS for mastering..... I run a MOTU 2408 using DIGITAL PERFORMER, and I just need a basic 2-track editor to lay out my bands CD. The majority of my 'mastering' needs will be handled from within digital performer...... but I wanted to get some feedback on 'PEAK LE' from any other MAC-MUSIC-MAKERS who may have had experience with this program.

Any comments/advice would be appreciated.

Thanx,
Kryngle

[Synthetic]

I really liked Peak when I tried a couple of demos but unfortunately it did not like to cooperate with my Digi 001 sound drivers so I gave it up. It is a nice app though.

[abbie]

SonicWorx Basic is a freeware program that allows you to apply some basic EQ, effects, and volume, and pitch changes to a stereo AIFF file that you have already recorded. You can record onto your hard-drive using an often-mentioned and useful freeware program called Coaster. Both programs are easy to use. This is somewhat crude compared to the other solutions mentioned but cheap and might meet your requirements.

[mild7]

Thank you for all the great information! I've ordered the free Pro Tools CD (actually $9.95 for s&h) and I'm looking into some of the other programs (T-Racks at the moment, which looks cool AND easy!).

In a related question, I've noticed several PC programs that 'normalize' the volume of a group of songs. Are the similar programs for Mac?

Thanks again!

[abbie]

While I am not familiar with ProTools, I bet it does provide a normalize function. The above-mentioned SonicWorx does as well.

[Synthetic]

If you want to normalize several tracks for say CD mastering.... then Adaptec Jam 2.6 will do that for you. It comes with Toast usually or you may find on the web if you search right places. It lets you audition each track and adjust the volume of each track individually so that you have a consistent volume across all tracks. But its not really normalizing... just adjusting overall volume. Best to get tracks normalized in PT or another app like T-Racks and then when compiling a CD... you will just have to audition the audio levels of each track seperately and compare by ear. I think that maybe the new Spark app may do all tracks or it seems like i have heard of an app that does that but not sure exactly.

[mild7]

Thank you for the excellent advice about software! Now, I am really going to ask a dumb question. As I said in a previous post, I got the free Pro Tools and I ended up buying a copy of T-Racks (very cool program, btw). I cleaned up all the tracks in Pro Tools and adjusted some of the tracks in T-Racks (just using the 'output' knob. No compression or anything). Most of the songs I have were already compressed etc. by the bands. Now, I mostly have all the songs SOUNDING like they are the same loudness, but in T-Racks they vary in where they peak, from -4 db to 0 db. I don't want to mess too much with the actual tracks (I tried it with one that really varies a lot in volume and it ended up sounding awful after all the compression an eq I used) but is it okay if the songs sound about the same volume-wise but don't look the same in T-Racks in terms of peak? Am I looking at this the wrong way? I guess what I'm asking for is some basic explanation of mastering in this situation (since they are all from different sources) and whether it is 'okay' as long as the songs sound like a group volum-wise.

Thank you!!!!

[Synthetic]

The way I look at it is... peak is the loudest point in music which usually (not always) is the drum track thanks to the attacks and such. Most of the volume usually comes from guitars, synths, keyboards etc. and they will sometimes sound louder than a drum attack that peaks higher simply because it is a sustained tone or sound. You can tell visually how loud a track might be by looking at the waveform and at certain zoom levels. You can see the peaks of the drum or percussion and the rest in middle makes the bulk of sound which determines the sustained volume of a track. So, to sum it up... just use your ears and don't let the meter control you too much. A track with a loud snare may seem quite overall due to snare's high peaks but another track with dull snare and low volume may sound louder when maxed to same level... that is when you have to spend lots of time with limiters and compressors to get tracks to sound closer in volume level. Hope this helps.