@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.
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