Hello.
I signed up for Bruce's course and have learned a lot.
I use Sonar Home Studio 4 Xl. Im getting pretty good recordings but my master mixes are lacking overall warmth. Im wondering if getting software like Sound Forge or Wavelab would help the quality of my final production?
Or should I just take alot more time with the master mixing?

I am simply a voice guy / announcer-narrator type, but I have had Steinberg WaveLab ever since the 2.0 days (I have 4.0 and haven't upgraded to anything beyond that) ... and have been quite pleased.

I also have the complete multi-track suite version of Cool Edit 2000 ... which is a sort of limited-track version of CE Pro ... and again, for what I do, these two programs are more than adequate.

Understand that all I am doing is recording my VOs and making commercials out of production library music & SFX tracks.

Both WaveLab and Sound Forge have reasonably-priced "Lite" versions, sometimes even found in bundle packages. "Lite" might be a way for you to test the waters without having to buy the full membership in the swimming club.

I'm no expert in this area, but that won't stop me from sharing my 2 cents!

I guess when you say "master mixes" that you really aren't trying to master your mixes, per se, but get them into good "shape"???? I ask because I wouldn't recommend that you master on your own. Get a pro for that. But if you mean just polish the mix (that is, mastering it for your own fun and use), well, yes, you can get some dedicated software like WaveLab and such (e.g., all the programs on this sweetwater page), but another route (that is possibly cheaper, and will allow you to stay within Sonar) is to simply find yourself a few mastering plugs (say, these free plugs off of KVR's site.

Also, have you asked around in the Sonar forum to see what people there are using for mastering?

Just some ideas.

Peace,
Fox

p.s. And yes, from what I understand, truly mastering mastering is a long windy ear-training road!

quote:

are lacking overall warmth.

ooo...if it's warmth your after, then say that when you ask around, because there are lots of plugs out their that are geared toward that. The free VST list I gave above offers some, but there are more. One example that comes to mind is Tritone's Colortone Free or Pro plug (available here ).

Thanks,
I was in the on the computor earlier and have been tweaking the final mixes. Added the BBE to the mixes and that took out some of the hollowness. I just have a lot of ear training to go.
These mixes are the ones that will go to CD or my space and pretty much overall use.
As far as getting them professionally mastered I think that might involve some serious money. As a band we just are not there yet.
We will through out what we have and if people like what they hear we will be happy.
I going to download the colro tone. Looks interesting.

Live in Las Vegas,
David

quote:

Originally posted by SDgr:
Thanks,

As far as getting them professionally mastered I think that might involve some serious money. As a band we just are not there yet.

I hear you. Be careful with the sonic maximizer. I haven't used it, but I hear everyone warn of overusing it. But hey, when you're just learning (as I am), that's part of the learning curve...overusing stuff so you can actually hear what the hedes it's doing.

In terms of getting professional mastering, it might not be as expensive as you think. At some point in the not too distant future, it might be worth asking a few mixing houses if they'll do a song (or a bit of one) for free, to see if it's worth it (and to train your ears). Just a thought.

Good luck to you.

-Fox

I spent a little while trying to master while i mixed. I slapped the same mastering curve that I tended to use on my stuff across the 2-mix and seemed to be done fast.

Unfortunately the mix sucked. Focus on the MIX, then master another time. You can always find others to mix or master for you (even...ahem...)

quote:

Originally posted by Fox:
One example that comes to mind is Tritone's Colortone Free or Pro plug (available here ).

Are these plugs worth the cash? The only cheap plugins I've come across that perform above their price are Voxengo. I've never heard of Tritone, but I'm a relative amateur.

quote:

Originally posted by fooman:

quote:

Originally posted by Fox:
One example that comes to mind is Tritone's Colortone Free or Pro plug (available here ).

Are these plugs worth the cash? The only cheap plugins I've come across that perform above their price are Voxengo. I've never heard of Tritone, but I'm a relative amateur.

All of the Tritone Digital plugins have demo versions so you can try them out for yourself, but.... Even though Tritone doesn't have as many plugins as Voxengo, I would rank the ones they do have higher than Voxengo.

-tkr