@magates said:

my suggestion bounce the mix
then master the dynamics and eq

and you can master the dynamics by hand if needed shaping with dynamic contours rather than using an automatic compressor.

If you do it that way, a good way to improve is when you bounce/render two mixes. One all dry, and one all room/reverbs only. Then you master the dynamics of the dry one only and montage it with the wet only together again. This way you avoid the undesired effect that reverb is compressed up while mastering.

Alternatively you can put a L1/L2/L3 + the mastering EQ on the master fader, either to preview the later mastering, or to make the final master right in Logic. With this method you also can mix the reverb already at the desired level.

However when the master has to be loud above the natural dynamics, i simply put in a limiter who prevents going over. This because the limiter just stops the signal shortly before zero, as opposed with a compressor who crunches the signal first direction equal loudness and raises the level with the gain. Meaning you get a slightly better result with a limiter.

In logic there is a unique process called "Energizer" where you can raise the level again without the artifacts of compressing. However, used on the master, it still would bring details to the foreground you may don't want, so apply this process on the dry signal only.

If your limiter doesn't stop the data from going over, he is not working properly.

.

Plug ins, compressions, effects... are all very nice but lets not forget the most important plug in: YOUR EARS, the better my ears has become over the years the better my mixes has become and independently of the effects used which turns out a bonus enhancement sound rather than a miracle sound.

So is it true that compression should be done before the reverb is added?

@Angelo Clematide said:

[[...] If your limiter doesn't stop the data from going over, he is not working properly.

.

This is a common misunderstanding, Angelo. What you are referring to are the so-called "brick-wall"-limiters, keeping _any_ signal from going over a certain volume (disregarding any unpleasant side-effects). Of course there are many other limiters - especially from the analogue aera - that weren't designed that way. Their main difference from "compressors" was the (much higher) compression-ratio; still they can have a certain attack-time before the limiting kicks in, thus allowing sharp first transients go above the limit (pun intended).

These limiters have their niche for single signals which have to stay in a certain dynamic range for any reason; the "brick-wall"-variety is mostly used in the summing bus of a mixdown, assuring a technically "clean" output without overloads.

HTH,

@violinnoel said:

So is it true that compression should be done before the reverb is added?

If you're talking about a common "Aux-Send"-scenario, yes. If you mean bus-compression (or -limiting) - no.

Sorry to slighty veer off-topic...but what of those who do not have Logic? I use Gigastudio, and at the moment, Goldwave for post-mixing, which is definetly not the best if you've ever used it. Any recommendations?

Also, does anyone know of a good website where I can learn what I'm doing with all this compression, EQ, limiting, etc. etc.?

Thanks,
Steve

Sometimes I find that using compression on the reverb return helps enormously with stopping the mix getting too cavernous when loud, but allowing the quieter passages not to sound too dry.

DG

@Dietz said:

This is a common misunderstanding, Angelo. What you are referring to are the so-called "brick-wall"-limiters...

Of course i meant this type of limiter, haven't used any other since techno came along. Very simple mix scenario, 100% kick. unmute the rest, and brickwall.

[:)]

@Omega said:

...Also, does anyone know of a good website where I can learn what I'm doing with all this compression, EQ, limiting, etc. etc.?
Thanks,
Steve

Hi Steve
1. Use a search engine like google to get any information about this theme.
2. Another way is to search for books. Example: http://www.musicianuniversity.com/courses/mastering_guide.html
3. I'm just preparing a tutorial about those effects. But I think it will not be finished befor July.
4. Perhaps you will get some useful tips here:
http://www.beat-kaufmann.com/tipspcmusic/vslacoustics/index.php#53248296fe1176a0e ...and the following points.

All the best
Beat Kaufmann

Hey Beat,

Thanks for the link. This should help a lot [:)].

Steve