I do all my tracks and do the mixing and eqing for the mastering phase. Everything sounds good and clean. But for some reason, when I master, I cannot seem to get that good full and robust sound. I use Lavry Blue converters and preamps to track with and then Samplitude 10 as my host. Anybody willing to share some Mastering techniques?
Thanks

90% of the potential of the mix - The openness, the fullness, the airiness, the dynamics, punch, clarity, warmth, breadth, foundation - It all comes from the core sound and how well they're picked up.

The only "technique" involved would be doing what that particular mix is asking you to do.

But with some things - "air" can be manufactured to some extent. "Punch" can be exaggerated. The foundation can be "faked" - again, to some extent, if the recording allows it.

With other things - "fullness" - assuming we're talking about that almost intangible warmth, micro-dynamics and space between the elements of the mix - That really can't be manufactured later -- That's something that needs to be there from the start and then be protected.

If it's a matter of a simple lack of density, you might try parallel compression (or in-line compression) if the mix isn't going to argue about it. Samp 10's AM-MUNITION is incredibly hard to beat for any parallel, in-line, M/S, M/S parallel (etc., etc., etc.) work in that regard.

Thanks John for the reply. It seems as I read through the boards that tracking is the most important part of the process. And that is what I have always thought and try to do. I figure the better you capture it, the easier it makes the other processes. I read somewhere, it might have been you, that most plugins presets are just to show you what it can do. I have just started really working with AM|Munition and am really liking what it can do. Maybe I just need to work more at the different settings. Question for you: When you Master do you keep extensive logs to what you did? I'm thinking maybe I need to start doing this better. Do you have any recommendations?

Thanks
BDD

Everything in the analog chain is logged (any digital functions are saved along with the project). Everything is able to be recalled.

Although I have to admit - I should "Save As" more often than I do...

SOT..Hey John.. Hope you been fine. Have it been settled just yet....which sampling rate yeilds best results for final mastering? ( ie.. 24/44.1 / 24/48 / 24/88 / etc...I'm slowly getting at the end of tracking a project and soon to start mixing and wanting to send it to you. Which would you prefer? ( analog console into Masterlink) Thanks....

The tricky part --- I liked the ML's converters better at 44.1 than I did at 88.2.

If you're feeding a different converter into the ML, it might be another story...

But as usual, try one both ways and go with what you like better.

Thanks John. I plan on using an external AD. If not I'll try which sounds better on the Masterlink.( definately not 24/96.. ) I do remember just, for the sake of it, mixing something thru the Masterlink at 24/96..IMHO..it sounded.."thin"..! Could just be me tho'..Thanks again!

Hey Snatchman, you snatched my thread!!!
LOL! LOL!