launchpad67a Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 (edited) While I'm very happy with the overall sound and mix of CA, it's isn't without a few minor issues. First, let me say that the "mix" is there, meaning everything is audible and the levels are mostly fine. After deciding the mix was there, I realized some of the instruments weren't coming through as well as they should be. Hmmm, what could cause this? Being an audio and mastering engineer I was able to determine fairly quickly the cause. It's an slight EQ issue, especially in the top end, and the amount of low end on the recording was getting in the way of the clarity. So I dumped a song into my mastering program just to see what was going on. Sure enough, the recording lacked some highs (just some specifically), and the low end (sub lows only) were a bit much, causing the highs to get lost. So it just lacked a bit of clarity in the top end, which is a direct result of the low end, and is easily fixed. If you have audio editing software, Try This: (I used "The Anarchist" for my tests - .wav file) Multiband EQ: -5.0dB cut from 50Hz - 20Hz -2.5dB @ 140Hz (Q=50) +2.1dB @ 4400Hz (Q=50) +2.2dB @ 6450Hz (Q=50) +1.9dB @ 13350Hz - 20000Hz Multiband Compressor: -1.7dB cut from 46Hz - 20Hz -0.7dB cut from 500Hz - 707Hz Master Output: -0.40dB Left and Right With these settings the (sub) low end gets tamed down and the high end is pushed slightly, only at specific frequencies. Subtle changes, but fairly effective. Plus, the average overall volume (RMS) is reduced from -8.5dB to -10dB, making it not quite so loud. This seems to give the mix a bit more clarity, to my ears. Try it out, or listen below. Don't have audio editing software? Listen to the result: The Anarchist - Remaster (320kbps Mp3 file) *since everyone here has the album, I don't have a problem posting this file. Don't abuse it. Edited June 14, 2012 by launchpad67a Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rushman14 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 cool man, I have Sound Studio so I will give this a shot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmotionDetector Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 That's pretty cool...I definitely trust your judgement. Unfortunately, I don't have any mastering software, but that's cool that you posted this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
launchpad67a Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 Oops, link was broken, now fixed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
marblesmike Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Cool thanks! What software did you use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBob Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Still can't hear "the pedlar II" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rushgoober Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 QUOTE (BigBob @ Jun 14 2012, 10:12 AM) Still can't hear "the pedlar II" maybe it's a problem with your equipment. what do you lack? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merely Space Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 QUOTE (rushgoober @ Jun 14 2012, 12:15 PM) QUOTE (BigBob @ Jun 14 2012, 10:12 AM) Still can't hear "the pedlar II" maybe it's a problem with your equipment. what do you lack? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Motorshooter Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 What do you lack? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lerxster Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Thanks for taking the time! Maybe this will qwell some of the sound angst out there. I'm no expert, but all I noticed is heavy bottom end, more or less, which sounds like about what you discovered. Much appreciated. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmotionDetector Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 QUOTE (rushgoober @ Jun 14 2012, 01:15 PM) QUOTE (BigBob @ Jun 14 2012, 10:12 AM) Still can't hear "the pedlar II" maybe it's a problem with your equipment. what do you lack? Excellent Goobs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Pound of Obscure Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Can't wait to listen to his one when I get home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rush Cocky Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 QUOTE (rushgoober @ Jun 14 2012, 01:15 PM) QUOTE (BigBob @ Jun 14 2012, 10:12 AM) Still can't hear "the pedlar II" maybe it's a problem with your equipment. what do you lack? Brilliant. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gompers Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I have decent speakers at work. Unfortunately I couldn't hear much of a difference. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bis88 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 I will check this tonight Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rushman14 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 just messing around with the EQ in itunes. There seems to be a sweet spot in there somewhere if you turn up the highs and turn down the lows. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
presto123 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 That sounds really good. So unlike VT the problems with CA are easily fixable.(if you think they need to be fixed) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1-0-0-1-0-0-1 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 QUOTE (rushgoober @ Jun 14 2012, 01:15 PM) QUOTE (BigBob @ Jun 14 2012, 10:12 AM) Still can't hear "the pedlar II" maybe it's a problem with your equipment. what do you lack? Nice! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
launchpad67a Posted June 14, 2012 Author Share Posted June 14, 2012 QUOTE (presto123 @ Jun 14 2012, 11:35 AM) That sounds really good. So unlike VT the problems with CA are easily fixable.(if you think they need to be fixed) Thanks! Yes, that's correct. Clipping was the problem with VT. There isn't any clipping on this record. For the record, I like it the way it is. Just needed a few tweaks to sound a bit better. The fix is easy. For the generic fix on your stereo (car, home, whatever), just turn up the treble some, and reduce the bass. This is perfectly acceptable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gedneil Alpeart Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 In my car, I just smiply turned the treble up and bass a little lower and it sounded better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thesweetscience Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 QUOTE (launchpad67a @ Jun 14 2012, 12:55 PM) While I'm very happy with the overall sound and mix of CA, it's isn't without a few minor issues. First, let me say that the "mix" is there, meaning everything is audible and the levels are mostly fine. After deciding the mix was there, I realized some of the instruments weren't coming through as well as they should be. Hmmm, what could cause this? Being an audio and mastering engineer I was able to determine fairly quickly the cause. It's an slight EQ issue, especially in the top end, and the amount of low end on the recording was getting in the way of the clarity. So I dumped a song into my mastering program just to see what was going on. Sure enough, the recording lacked some highs (just some specifically), and the low end (sub lows only) were a bit much, causing the highs to get lost. So it just lacked a bit of clarity in the top end, which is a direct result of the low end, and is easily fixed. If you have audio editing software, Try This: (I used "The Anarchist" for my tests - .wav file) Multiband EQ: -5.0dB cut from 50Hz - 20Hz -2.5dB @ 140Hz (Q=50) +2.1dB @ 4400Hz (Q=50) +2.2dB @ 6450Hz (Q=50) +1.9dB @ 13350Hz - 20000Hz Multiband Compressor: -1.7dB cut from 46Hz - 20Hz -0.7dB cut from 500Hz - 707Hz Master Output: -0.40dB Left and Right With these settings the (sub) low end gets tamed down and the high end is pushed slightly, only at specific frequencies. Subtle changes, but fairly effective. Plus, the average overall volume (RMS) is reduced from -8.5dB to -10dB, making it not quite so loud. This seems to give the mix a bit more clarity, to my ears. Try it out, or listen below. Don't have audio editing software? Listen to the result: The Anarchist - Remaster (320kbps Mp3 file) *since everyone here has the album, I don't have a problem posting this file. Don't abuse it. I don't have the album, is it OK if I listen? Just kidding I won't listen. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PrismEye Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Thanks for this, I really appreciate you making a great solution instead of just complaining about a problem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cygnify Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Is there any wonder - this was mastered by Brian "Big Bass" Gardner ?!?!?! that is his real nickname, no kidding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
presto123 Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 QUOTE (launchpad67a @ Jun 14 2012, 02:12 PM) QUOTE (presto123 @ Jun 14 2012, 11:35 AM) That sounds really good. So unlike VT the problems with CA are easily fixable.(if you think they need to be fixed) Thanks! Yes, that's correct. Clipping was the problem with VT. There isn't any clipping on this record. For the record, I like it the way it is. Just needed a few tweaks to sound a bit better. The fix is easy. For the generic fix on your stereo (car, home, whatever), just turn up the treble some, and reduce the bass. This is perfectly acceptable. I used Sony Sound Forge on my computer and used your suggestions. Sounds great! I reduced the overall volume level down just a bit as well. Still not sure if I want to use the old Caravan/BU2B or the new versions when I burn a CD. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
condemned2bfree Posted June 14, 2012 Share Posted June 14, 2012 Cheers for this info o.p., tried it + these sweet spots have really tightened up the overall clarity. happy with the mix in anyway...this is a bonus Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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