revellfa - Posted - 01/08/2015:  07:09:58

So I have some music recorded onto a CD.  I need to do some EQ work before I send it to DiscMakers.  I HATE to try to do digital EQ.  I prefer knobs, etc.  I have a great Allen and Heath mixer.

How can I use the mixer to EQ my CD?  Should I play the CD through something (if so, what?) then run it through the board and then to my computer to record it?

Pulling for straws here...

rudy - Posted - 01/08/2015:  07:44:52

If you're working with an actual CD you would need to feed it through a GOOD external EQ and then basically re-record the entire thing to be able to burn the EQed audio to red book standard.  That process would NOT be a good thing to do; it will add artifacts , noise, and a lot of other stuff that would degrade what you already have.  That process would mean another entire pass through the digital to analog conversion process and back again to return it to CD form.

The correct thing to do would be to have your disk mastered before sending it out for replication.  This is normally done as the last step in the production of a CD to be sold commercially, but some folks will bypass mastering thinking it's an unnecessary additional expense.  That's almost never the case.

The mastering process will correct EQ and generally massage the tracks to get the most from them.  The mastering process usually includes a process that runs the tracks through a multi-band compression/EQ so the tracks can be boosted to a generally higher level to increase the apparent volume of your recorded tracks.

This might not be what you wanted to hear, but it's generally the way things are done.

If you recorded your tracks at a studio they will have suggestions for mastering houses that they like to use.  If they tell you they can master you should politely refuse.  The entire idea of mastering is applying a fresh set of ears to your project to put the finishing touches on it.  Whoever recorded your tracks should provide you with a DATA disc of the wav files used to burn your master CD.  That's a MUCH better way to provide the mastering house with your tracks.

If you're REALLY frugal there are on-line mastering websites who will usually provide you with a sample track of what your finished tracks will sound like to entice you to use their services.  I have known folks who used web-based mastering but don't know any specific names.

Edited by - rudy on 01/08/2015 07:52:48

BugTugly - Posted - 01/08/2015:  11:18:47

Going with the frugal approach and depending on how you recorded...

I have a couple of multi-track recorders. They have the option of using

"mastering" presets for the final mix-down to stereo. There are several

presets to choose from and they can be tweaked if so desired. It's probably 

a ways off from what you'd get with a paid service. But if your recorder or 

DAW has that option it's something you check out.

Did I mention the frugal approach?  :0)

rudy - Posted - 01/08/2015:  12:15:52

quote:

---

Originally posted by BugTugly

Going with the frugal approach and depending on how you recorded...

I have a couple of multi-track recorders. They have the option of using

"mastering" presets for the final mix-down to stereo. There are several

presets to choose from and they can be tweaked if so desired. It's probably 

a ways off from what you'd get with a paid service. But if your recorder or 

DAW has that option it's something you check out.

Did I mention the frugal approach?  :0)

---

That's a possibility, but the problem with that approach is mastering plug-ins are COMPLICATED.  They do have pre=sets, but it's VERY difficult to audition the mix and really understand what's going on and how it ultimately affects your mix.  For instance, here's Acuma Final Mix mastering plug from my DAW:

We pay a mastering house to understand what needs to be done and judiciously apply the mastering parameters.

I believe Discmakers offers a elementary mastering service, and that might be a cost-effective approach.  I don't know anyone who has used it, though.

Edited by - rudy on 01/08/2015 12:17:42

BugTugly - Posted - 01/09/2015:  07:29:53

I'd agree that the Acuma interface looks like it has a learning curve. On the 

multi-track, the mastering mix-downs can be selected/stepped through on-the-fly

and audition them while they're playing. I know these don't match professional 

mastering, but they can make a significant improvement in the sound of the 

final mix.

If the goal is to produce and sell a professional level product then the mastering 

house would probably be the best bet. But if the final product is something to 

pass out to family and friends, then a more cost effective approach might be 

appropriate. Of course if price is no object then certainly studio time, mastering, 

cover art, packaging, promotion and distribution are in order.

(Haven't found it necessary to embrace that last option yet :0)

JoeDownes - Posted - 01/09/2015:  09:27:49

If you want to use an analogue EQ, you need a good D/A converter, a good analogue EQ and a good AD converter.  I'd advise you to use a digital EQ, within Reaper for example. They are much better suited for a mastering type situation than the EQ in your mixing board and you don't need to convert to analogue and back. It's faster and easier and will probably sound better if you turn some digital knobs on a screen.

rudy - Posted - 01/09/2015:  13:05:45

quote:

---

Originally posted by BugTugly

I'd agree that the Acuma interface looks like it has a learning curve. On the 

multi-track, the mastering mix-downs can be selected/stepped through on-the-fly

and audition them while they're playing. I know these don't match professional 

mastering, but they can make a significant improvement in the sound of the 

final mix.

If the goal is to produce and sell a professional level product then the mastering 

house would probably be the best bet. But if the final product is something to 

pass out to family and friends, then a more cost effective approach might be 

appropriate. Of course if price is no object then certainly studio time, mastering, 

cover art, packaging, promotion and distribution are in order.

(Haven't found it necessary to embrace that last option yet :0)

---

You can do the same thing by stepping through the pre-sets (about 50 of them...) in Final Mix (or probably any other mastering plug-in), but it's more of a challange to determine what is appropriate to apply than what you would think.

Hence the need for totally objective viewpoint and a fresh set of ears that haven't heard the mixes 100 times already.