Mastering and ReMastering means that the stereo file is usually processed with Compression or a Limiter, Equalization, an Exciter, and sometimes a Sonic Maximiser, among other plugins. The Exciter and Sonic Maximiser don’t come stock with these programs. I don’t own them right now.
I don’t need to put extra treble (16khz) during the mastering stage because the drums already have enough treble during the mixing stage.
Click the above sound file. First you hear the unaltered sound, then you hear the altered sound.
The Main Out, which is stereo, is -2db without a limiter.
Audio Compression makes the quieter sounds louder and the louder sounds quieter. Limiters are very similar to Compressors. The main difference between the two of them, is that the limiter keeps the volume of sound from going any higher than the threshold point. Compressors allow sound above the threshold point, but at a lower volume. They are a popular choice, because they sound more natural than limiters.
Brick Wall Limiters are at the heart of every remastered recording in recent years. That is why the newer albums and the remastered ones have such a loud sound compared to the older albums. In the 1970s they started using this on television commercials. That is why some TV commercials are so much louder that the regular program material.
Mastering the Stereo files.
Open the sound file ‘Better Time.’
This is what the project file should look like.
Select the ‘Export Mixdown’ option in the Song Menu.
- Chose the Mixdown folder and the filename ‘Better Time’.
- Select ‘OK’
This folder should open up.
Right Click on the ‘Better Time’ file. Select open with Cool Edit 2000.
This is what the sound file looks like.
Normalize This file. Which means to amplify it as loud as possible.
The Normalized file.
Save the file.
Select ‘New Song’ in the Presonus Studio One program.
Name the song title ‘test’ and click ‘OK’
Drag the ‘Better Time’ file you just created in Cool Edit 2000 into the Presonus window.
Drag the Limiter into the insert part of the Master Output.
Adjust the levels (Volume) on the Master Output to -8db, and the other channel to -3db. Set the Limiter controls to: Input 11db, Celling -.02db, Thresh -.02db, and Release 100ms.
Select ‘Export Mixdown’ In the Song menu item.
Click OK.
Right Click on the ‘Better Time’ file. Select open with Cool Edit 2000.
This is what you should see.
Normalize and save this sound file.
Save as ‘Test’