
On the lows, I used a super-fast attack, 40ms release, hard knee, and high ratio, and achieved only about a dB of compression.Īdditionally, I enabled the clipper on the output - all of these settings created a punchy low-frequency range. Listen to an Example ➜ YouTube Link Compress Each Band and ClipĪfter EQ, I’ll insert compressors on each not really to control dynamics, but as a way to control the timbre of each signal. Let’s take a listen to these filters enabled. The first filter will make our lows more mono and focused, the filter on the mids will help the mono aspects of the vocal cut through, and the cut on the highs helps control sibilance. Then on the highs, I’ll set the processing to the mids, and attenuate some of 10.7kHz, where I noticed the most sibilance. On the mid-channel, I’ll process the side image as well, and dip a little of 2kHz. Next, I’m going to insert Logic’s channel EQ on each auxiliary channel - I’ll change the processing on the low channel to affect the side image only, and attenuate up to around 80Hz. Listen to an Example ➜ YouTube Link Use Subtractive EQ on Each Band

Let’s take a listen to the mix, as we solo each range. I’ll ensure that the cross-over points are the same - for example, you’ll notice that since the lows cut off at 300Hz, the high pass on the mids starts at 300Hz, and so on.Īlthough unorthodox this gives us the opportunity to process each range separately. Next, I’ll use Logic’s linear phase EQ on all 3 new auxiliary channels - the first will isolate the lows, the second the mids, and the last the highs. I’ll start by using 3 buses, all set to unity - then I’ll change the output of the channel to no output.

Mastering in logic x free#
Get a FREE Mastered Sample of Your Song ➜įor this video we’ll only use Logic stock plugins - so let’s get creative with them and find ways to still make a great sounding mastering. Then I’ll process each band individually using equalization, compression, and saturation, before processing all of the signals collectivist via the stereo output.
Mastering in logic x pro#
My main aim was to try to bring this track to a more industry standard I feel it isn’t quite there but it isn’t far away.īelow are examples of the track before I mastered it and afterwards.When mastering in Logic Pro X, I like to separate the signal into 3 frequency ranges by using auxiliary sends and linear phase EQs. There are small pockets of distortion in the track which maybe due to me heavily compressing the bottom end, or as a result of something that occurred in the recording process which is unchangeable at this stage. Overall I feel I have achieved some of what I set out to do which was to add more intensity and drive to the song, but in doing so have broken the golden rule of mastering ‘don’t work on your own songs’, as I will have a biased ear. It is sometimes good to point out that a mastering engineer can only work with what’s been recorded and if the initial recording isn’t any good then unfortunately the mastering will not improve this. This is an explanation of my attempt at mastering, I am by no means saying its the best way and there are a few things within my track I would like to touch up some more. To begin with bring the audio track you want to master into the workspace. So the song I have chosen to master is Australia by my band I Punched A Lion So using the techniques available to us in Logic Pro X I will attempt to master the song with the intent of improving it as a final product. What I will run through, is the basics of mastering a song within Logic Pro X and I will use a song that I have been involved with in the past, and always believed lacked power in it’s final mix. Unfortunately with the money involved in hiring a mastering engineer that isn’t always possible. When mastering a track for commercial release it is advisable to seek the help of a qualified professional.

Mastering should be seen as the final creative process as it is the last chance to fix and perfect your record. Although it is much more than that, it is about maximizing the music to make it more effective to the listener. In simple layman terms mastering is the point in which a record is prepared for replication or distribution, It’s the last stage of production and the first stage of manufacturing.
