| i set it so that it cuts anything below 30hz. sometimes there can be a lot 
energy around 20-25 hz which creates dc offset problem and eats up your 
headroom.   i use 2 compressors ( multiband and analog mastering comp ) and waves L2. i 
compress around 1-2 db with the analog compressor. i use multiband for mostly 
controlling the peaks especially around 60-120 hz and around 250- 400 hz. then 
at the end, i boost the signal around 3-4 dbs with the L2. i can dither with 
other plugins, not l2.   that is the waves mastering linear multiband compression.   this is for commercial rock-pop-hiphop- electronica sound. for jazz, 
electroacoustic, classical these will change dramatically!   best.   
  ----- Original Message -----  Sent: Monday, January 07, 2008 8:15 
  PM Subject: Re: Powered Subs...on to 
  mastering > i think commercial mastering is about compression. 
  especially multiband
 > compression. i use multiband compression as a 
  dynamic eq for mastering
 > rather than compressing to get more db out 
  of the piece.
 
 > i think first insert a high pass filter which will 
  cut below 30hz. then
 > the typical waves mastering eq, multiband comp, 
  limiter setting. you
 > should be careful about maxbass. i think you 
  should use that plugin mostly
 > for subbass oriented dance, electronica 
  tracks, it may really destroy a
 > proper rock/pop mix.
 
 30hz. 
  Interesting. That is most definitely more appealing to me. I will give
 that a try and see how my stereo systems handle it with my material. If I
 can sneak some more low end frequency in and still be home stereo 
  friendly,
 that would be great. Another question on this. When you use a 
  high pass, do
 you set it so that it starts to curve down at 30hz, and then 
  tapers off
 somewhere far below? Or do you set it so that by the time it 
  tapers off to a
 total cut off, it is at 30hz? I would assume the latter, 
  if you truely want
 to prevent anything below 30hz from getting through. 
  This is similar to what
 I did with 60hz, and I used a very step curve with 
  the Q setting. So
 basically there is a rapid cut off of 60hz and below, 
  but a steep curve to
 let higher frequencies in. I tried both steep and 
  gradual curves and the
 steep curve got rid of the low end issues, but also 
  kept my tone full. Using
 a gradual curve just cut more frequencies off 
  above 60hz.
 
 > for waves L2 you should not go below -5 db. after that 
  it starts to
 > degrade the signal. ( to my ears )
 
 I'm confused, 
  though. L2 is a compressor/limiter, and also dithers. So do
 you use one of 
  the Waves compressor/limitors, and then just set L2 so that
 it does not 
  compress again, but only dithers from 2/432 to 16 bit (if your
 record at 
  those bit rates)?
 
 > set the multiband compression so that it acts as 
  a dynamic eq. you have to
 > control the peaks in frequencies and for 
  that it is better to use
 > multiband comp than a eq. i use all the 5 
  bands of the waves multiband.
 > you need to experiment with the 
  crossover frequencies of course. you can
 > compress 4-5 dbs of the sub 
  bass and bass range. this will give you a much
 > more punchy and clear 
  presentation of the piece.
 
 What one are you using in Waves? There are 
  so many. Audiotrack? Is is the
 only one I see in Waves that has both EQ 
  and compression settings.
 
 Thanks! I like this 
  conversation.
 
 Kris
 
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