3 PRO Mastering EQ Techniques you SHOULD know+ FREE new mastering EQ!

EQs used:
Pulsar Audio W495 (FREE until October, 31st, 2023): pulsar.audio/w495/
Pulsar Audio 8200: pulsar.audio/product/eq-8200/...
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[@R1PPA-C]

This is why I always hire an engineer to mix AND master, even if i feel like the mix is really good, it's always good to have another persons perspective and equipment on board, ear fatigue is real

[@waliddeui6725]

That's a well, perfect mix daaamn so beautiful

[@brandonwatkins9003]

Your knowledge is much appreciated.

[@donnas8408]

The truth is all the higher end plug-ins. When you add EQ it’s going to put a smile on your face. The differences in the coloration are so many school these days it’s starting to become laughable with all these plug-in companies saying that they’re plugged into something more special than another Plugin does. I appreciate you

[@EricJohnson-fh8zj]

Nice shirt color change mid sentence. Looks like you're not only a audio magician, you're a ACTUAL magician too! 😅

[@R1PPA-C]

Oh did I miss a contuinity error 🤣.. Oh well I'll have to watch the whole thing again 🫶🏻

[@eagletown8977]

@@R1PPA-Cat around 03:48 😄

[@ELPINCHILOOONNN]

His english is not real Did you notice that he is sudaca?????

[@R1PPA-C]

@@ELPINCHILOOONNN what??

[@ELPINCHILOOONNN]

@@R1PPA-C no te hagas el que no entendes tene huevos y deci si la verdad no soy nativo de ingles

[@nealehanvey4825]

Superb tutorial…and your track is now on my permanent playlist.

[@huberttorzewski]

By applying HPF on the master you're most likely to reduce headroom and not gain any more headroom (unless you HPF too high) because the phase shift will make the peaks higher. That's why most mastering engineers prefer low shelfs instead of HPFs

[@DomSigalas]

This is generally true, that's why I say on the video that you should be very gentle with your slopes. But as you can see on this video, the auto-gain proves that by cleaning up the low end with the filters the level goes up to compensate-so for this specific EQ, the filters work as they should and you increase your headroom :) But you're right, know your tools and use with caution- filtering in the mastering stage has been a technique used for ages even from mastering engineers that were using the Weiss EQs and the System 6000s, you have to have the right tools for the job ;)

[@huberttorzewski]

@@DomSigalas auto gain may compensate for the change in rms or lufs but the peaks can be way higher actually. But yes you're right of course - if the HPF is what a track is calling for then just use it and don't care about a loss in headroom because it will sound better anyway

[@Jason75913]

Thank y'all, duly noted and annotated for posterity and personal data.

[@TheRealATema]

i like the mastery with the shirt color changes (wink)

[@DMMirval]

Thank you Dom Sigalas, for the news, the tips and the nice video making. After a first hour test, for me, this Pulsar W495 is a truly gem, especially on a workflow perspective. With the Pulsar Audio quality signature. Thanks for the find ! ☝👌

[@stewartmediastudios]

Hey Dom, love your channel and you passion in which you talk about Cubase and other stuff. Listen I think you broke the internet for Pulsar. From the moment you posted this video, I've been trying to get in and I finally did and now it's showing the site is down. Way to go Dom! You're the man!!! Thank you for sharing your energy, talent and experience with us!

[@jameslarot6292]

When I first visited the Website yesterday, it gave me an error page that it could not find the site? I refreshed the page and the site was crawling while trying to load the contents. It appears many people went to the Pulsar website when Dom shared this Video. I'm not surprised the Website went down or possibly they realized this plug in was not fully in compliance with Steinberg Cubase Daw? My Cubase12 popped up few messages confirming the plug in is block listed and the DLL file is invalid.

[@adsertheblade]

Very subtle, but it looses something when you turn the chain off. Thanks for the video.

[@RogerBadgerDSFlyer]

Great tutorial Dom! Love the song too! 😍 Not to mention your colour changing t-shirt. Nice trick! 😂 You saw it here first peeps.

[@DerekPower]

I've said this for a long while: mastering is about optimizing the final approved mix for your intended medium of distribution. That's it. So oftentimes, if the mix is 90-95% there, the mastering is there to give it that extra 5% and make sure that it will work well on that medium - especially if you want it on a vinyl record - and across listening environments.

[@reziahamed6654]

Thanks HEAPS for telling this to the world dear Dom.... Cheers ! 👍🥂 Pulsar Audio Rocks !!!!

[@kennethscott3538]

INSANELY GOOD SOUNDING...TECH IS TECHING!!!!

[@Crowbar11115]

Pulsar is SO good! Their EchoRec plugin is unreal. So much character in that plugin.

[@Jason75913]

Sweet. Downloaded. Thanks.

[@KUMStudio1]

@DomSigalas oooh yes, I enjoyed this mastering tutorial (the best I've seen so far) very much!! Thank you so much Dom! You really getting in to the point!

[@compingharry]

To go back to the mixing stage, i can recommend to any home musician who can afford it and relying on VST, to get a 24 core computer (or a Mac?), and never have to bounce/freeze/render/audiomix to preserve CPU resources. With for example a problematic kick/snare/HH you can immediately go back to the VST instrument you used, and start to check your sound from the source...

[@lloydbrownmusic]

Bless up and thanks for the heads-up Dom, your T-shirt is still giving me hallucinogenic, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, Strawberry Fields vibes man : )

[@MrDo2an]

I like the song (Cosmic Parenthesis), very stylish, I put it on my playlist...

[@DomSigalas]

Thank you my friend ❤️

[@fftunes]

As a heads up, i couldn't install pulsar w495 on offline pc AND it gave me a virus warning, files got quarantined.

[@diemcarpemusic]

Amazing video and Tips, Thank you Dom!

[@arjanvanelst9861]

These video's are such a Gem for me. Thank you Dom, your enthusiasm in combination with great teacher skills makes it fun to learn!

[@DarkSideofSynth]

Ladies and gentlemen, Mr Dom 'Chameleon T-Shirt' Sigalas at work!

[@TokyoSpeirs]

PSA: If you use this new free EQ, keep in mind that the oversampling is most likely never needed. It’s a nearly linear EQ, perfectly coded. It’s almost impossible to make it alias.

[@MikeFromDownUnder]

Thanks for sharing this! 👍

[@vkm.official]

Great advice, Dom, and thanks for mentioning the W495.

[@gillesa290]

Very useful as always. Thanks Dom 👍

[@MorisoniProductions]

another indispensable tutorial from the Cubase maestro. Thank you Dom.

[@eltonesound]

Thank you Dom 🎉 God Bless you my friend . Elton E-Sound 😊

[@DAFFONEOFFICIAL]

The Best !

[@henrykdandyk6164]

Thank you Dom Sigalas

[@GloveBunniesVideos]

Great video! Thanks for setting the record straight.

[@LefterisMichaelPantazis]

Thank you Dom Sigalas, very useful video

[@waltertill1388]

Thanks again!!! have a nice weekend!

[@golbeatspro]

Thanks Dom, Great Review, cool new video edits! i don't know for sure the history of this eq, but for me it fells like a track by track eq for quick and broad strokes!!! Peace

[@clarafrota8139]

Been waiting one like this FOREVER THANXX G❤

[@RayTheProducer]

Appreciate this Dom. Excellent advice. The GEM 495 is an older alternative to this and it’s very sweet indeed.

[@TMR2902]

Love the Proccess Thanks a Lot Sir

[@GazziAmplification]

Thank you! Just got the plugin

[@taviqmasteringonline2754]

I hate to say it but the free TDR VOS Slick EQ still outperforms the Pulsar W495. I challenge you to test it for yourself and draw your own conclusions! It's slightly more versatile based on additional features and has several harmonic profiles.

[@mathijazzz]

please explain the shirt changing color, thats fucking cool!

[@Phat-Monkey]

A Master At Work 🙏

[@quesonoridade]

I liked this song.

[@salvab_music]

Btw the song is freaking cool hahaha, and thanks for the info about the EQ

[@zarlok5294]

Yes. The song is very interesting. The chord progression goes to som very surprising places while the melody stays centered. I heard a really cool change following the 2 that I don’t remember having heard before. Just in listening I think it went the 4 or maybe only up a half step That’s a very slick minded writer. Sophisticated but grounded. Nothing awkward or pretentious in it and it’s never boring. Great song.

[@mostafaben]

👍👍👍 it s got to be analog🙂 the song took me back to 80ies.master class.

[@chrisgreenwood5523]

Hey Dom, what line in trim level you use on your Lynx Hilo with you Neve 1073. I’m having a hard time getting the perfect signal. I have U87 to Neve 1073 Spx to Klark Teknik to Lynx Hilo Usb. Thanks and have a nice day!

[@dj_instruments937]

So did you boost the mids on the first instance of W495 because it looks like you boosted the sides and then the sides on the second instance?

[@MrR4J3]

Nice review ! The link for the W495 does not seem to work ?

[@kostischaveles]

I can see that you are using a Mac as your primary computer! did you finally switch? I have a Mac Studio max and it's amazing!!! fast, quite and super stable, I'm using it mostly with Cubase 12 in Native Silicon and DaVinci Resolve. Cheers!

[@GuyToussaint]

To my studio

[@sickassbeats]

Ay! I know this video is about the EQ and tips, but that song I really like! Could you let me know the name of your single?

[@CrayleighBeats]

are we not gonna talk about the shirt color change?

[@reziahamed6654]

Hi Dom... When using the EQ for enhancing a master (as in step 3) which order would you prefer/recommend to START THE EQing Process...? Is it by starting from the LOWs & moving towards HIGHs ? Or Vise versa ? Or may be getting the MIDs right first & then move on to LOWs/MIDs ? I understand that there is NO perticular ORDER.. But REALLY adore to see how you would tackle the EQ moves to get the best frequency distribution across the full spectrum. Also to make the best use of preserving headroom for maximum possible loudness whilst preserving dynamics & the intended emotional impact when hitting limiters... Much Love...Rezi 🤓👍🥇🥂

[@DomSigalas]

I would suggest listening the material very carefully before even starting to do something :) If a mix is too dark, start by either boosting the top end a bit - if a mix is too boomy try and take care of the lows and low-mids. I wouldn't't say there is a particular order- just don't start adding saturation, compression and other processing before you correct any issues first ;)

[@reziahamed6654]

@@DomSigalas Thanks sooo much for taking time to reply mate..🤓 Can't agree more ! Nothing is better than A cautious Listen first & only do what it calls for !!! 👍👍🥇 Cheers 🤓

[@aymra3550]

👂💎

[@WassupFred]

Very cool. Thanks so much for the tips bro.. where can I see your rates for mastering?

[@x3mbeatz001]

nice content.. i am coming from your video where you spoke about switching to a mac, a year ago. i wanna switch, but would like your opinion on this.. is the mac pro max still a good option?

[@DomSigalas]

I know I haven’t done a video yet about this but to be short: I kept my PC for one the suites but I’ve switched my main system to a Mac Studio M2 Ultra. And this was because even the M1 Max was killing it performance-wise. I think at the moment these systems are brilliant.

[@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579]

FWIW I'm pairing Studio One 6.5 and a Mac Mini M2 and it's doing very well. I'm not a pro producer though. So far, everything I'm throwing at the Mac Mini has been handled very well. And my normal usage is a church setup for live A/V through S1 for Livestream audio processing. I also run building security cameras, Zoom Meeting, and Wi-Fi HVAC all at the same time. Ideal? Probably not, but I'm just a guy doing what I need to do, and this Mini M2 is rocking it. And mine is the standard M2 with 24 GB integrated memory and 512 SSD.

[@dominic.isidore]

I know this has nothing to do with the video but How do you work with other producers and studios with using Cubase when most studios use Pro Tools? Do you just send audio clips?

[@GuyToussaint]

How to connect my bluetooth

[@MountainViewStudio]

Just curious, what headphones did you use for this vid? thx

[@DomSigalas]

It’s the Steinberg headphones from the recording pack- I have done a video on all my headphones in my collection if you’re interested :)

[@MatteoKee]

I think I’ll stick to the microphones by them.

[@murraywebster1228]

Hi!

[@Soundfun_Studio]

Hello, Can I do everything with fabfilter pro q3, pulsar can do?

[@waliddeui6725]

12:20 that's my face right now

[@RomanAkv]

anyone notice his T-Shirt changing colour? lol

[@wjproductionuae]

Dear Dom, I have cubase 10 Pro Original and Physical License, and I want to upgrade to version 12, but something is wrong with me. I lost the USB license, but the activation code for version 10 is with me.. Can I upgrade without buying a new Physical e-License, because I will not need it after the upgrade? . Thank you

[@Jason75913]

Ask Steinberg.

[@libtekk]

Hey dom any help for sliding 808 bass lines used in trap music mate would be a huge help……

[@DomSigalas]

What do you want to learn? :) I’ve done a dedicated 808 video :)

[@DerekPower]

Question for Dom: do you use auto-gain as a kind of check for whatever tweaks/adjustments you make?

[@DomSigalas]

Great question Derek! No, absolutely not. Auto gain is useful if you’re still learning or double guessing your decisions. If you have experience every move you make is intentional and if you have done your gain. Staging right auto gain is not necessary.

[@DerekPower]

@@DomSigalas Thank you, man =] Yeah, it was done to make the point that using auto-gain is a bit ridiculous, especially with EQ as the point is to boost or cut within a frequency range.

[@jameslarot6292]

Hey Dom. This w495 plug in by Pulsar is block listed by Steinberg Cubase, therefore this won't work on the Cubase DAW? Let me know your thoughts? Thanks.

[@user-ez9sd3kb4x]

It started up fine on my cubase.

[@DomSigalas]

Did you install the VST3 version?

[@jameslarot6292]

@@DomSigalasI visited the Website, saw the download link, and clicked on that. This plug in is associated with iLok account but one has to create a new user account for the Pulsar site. Pulsar sent me the license key to process the download for the plug in which showed 0 dollar amount towards check out since it's a free trial. Installed it on my Laptop without any issues. Restarted the Laptop, opened my Cubase Daw and this is where Steinberg Cubase message popped up confirming this plug in is block listed and says this DDL file is invalid. I wasn't aware the VST3 version is required to make the plug in work?

[@STyonk]

Is 8x Oversampling necessary for subtle EQ?Is there Harmonic saturation being added?

[@sparella]

Yes, it adds some... but not enough, at least compared to White Sea's hardware units. The hardware is thicker and punchier at identical settings.

[@anteas701]

it is impossible for me to activate the pulsar eq. It says "free" but after installation it asks me for an activation code which I did not receive. In an email it was written: Your license key(s) W495 (Free) but the fields to activate do not support this code. It's a scam

[@jameslarot6292]

I got the same issue. A user replied back to me and says this plug in work fine on his/her Cubase Daw? This user might be Pulsar promoter trying to convince other users that it's fine? I don't think so.

[@anteas701]

@@jameslarot6292 exactly

[@SteveAthletics]

this t-shirt :-)

[@valgimorais602]

now i will compare this whit my antelope version

[@waliddeui6725]

11:25 she's singing about the plugin

[@dodgingrain3695]

Dom, should most of the items you doing be addressed in the mix directly if possible? Obviously that's not necessarily possible if your not doing the mix as well.

[@DomSigalas]

Absolutely. If you have access to the mix (and production) then mastering should be a super easy job!

[@MrOuija-rr8kq]

The song you used reminds me of a Depeche Mode song but I can’t put my finger on it

[@robshrock-shirakbari1862]

Cool... I think you crashed Pulsar Audio's web site. LOL Thanks, Dom

[@R1PPA-C]

yeah I can't get on either :(

[@JorgeTelloOlivaComposer]

Yeap...He did! 🤣

[@aaronrennz]

Why does your t-shirt keep changing colour ?

[@JTFuller]

Yo, did your shirt change from blue to green then slowly changed back to green.. what the heck was that.. lol.. great video man..

[@CedricPytelRagtimeStudioUk]

What happens to your t-shirt it goes from blue to green 🤪🤪🤪. Cool T-shirt though

[@Jura_JS]

But I want the colour-changing one 😅

[@nj1255]

Yeah, what's up with his shirt? 🤔Is it just because of the lighting in the studio, or is it some video post-processing?

[@diemcarpemusic]

@@nj1255 Green T shirt is like Green Screen

[@nj1255]

@@diemcarpemusic well, obviously. My question was more about if the shirt changed colors by accident because of some lighting or side effect from post-processing, or if he meant to change the color of the shirt.

[@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579]

​​@@nj1255the EQ was adding color to the shirt due to being an analog emulation

[@nj1255]

@@DeltaWhiskeyBravo13579 ah, that explains it! Thanks!

[@anteas701]

Is it scam! I never received a key to activate.I think they just want to extract personal information

[@GuyToussaint]

Old rme fireface

[@ScottsSynthStuff]

0:42 watch as Dom's shirt changes color repeatedly over 15 seconds or so! ...But notice the green glow on his face and hands - someone intentionally did that in post! I'm looking in your direction, Iro!!! :)

[@filipjonathan]

I love your videos Dom but this shirt color changing thing is very distracting.

[@studiolumix49]

LOL what the f... with your color t-shirt lol 😂!!!

[@eren3390]

Why is this free tho?

[@sparella]

Maybe because the competition is free too? (SlickEQ)

[@jameslarot6292]

There's always a catch to any freebies online or anywhere. They want your personal information first by creating an account. Second, the freebie is not as good as you may think. Third, they have a better one that you have to buy as opposed to the free plug in and more products to be bought at their Website store. Be aware....................

[@KosmoDeuz]

What’s with that music bro 😂

[@ELPINCHILOOONNN]

Te odeo por trucho

[@dj_instruments937]

As a beginner it's hard to learn when you wanna be teachers don't explain everything you do : like why did you switch the mids to sides on the second instance of 495 with the low end. Anytime you demonstrate and manipulate a knob or parameters you should explain why so beginners like myself don't copy these tips and find ourselves doing this or that because the guy in the video did but I'm not sure why I'm doing it because he moved a parameter without explaining why he moved it. And why toggle between mids and sides if your focusing on the mids... slightly confusing because I tend to replicate what I see in videos. But in the end one eq is to enhance the mids and the second instance the sides.Right? Why does the low end get moved to the sides on the second instance?

[@DomSigalas]

First of all, I am not a “wannabe teacher”. I am sharing my knowledge for free over here and I hope that it helps some people. You’re absolutely right on al your points. But what you’re looking for is a course- this video was already long for KZbin standards and this is KZbin. When I do masterclasses or workshops I explain every little thing but I might have 3-8 hrs at my disposal to explain every little thing. Over here I have to work with the standards KZbin sets and I have to be fast because most people have an incredibly short attention span. I might do a video for total beginners in the future :)

[@cecilia_mackie]

Unbelievable! Shall we be friends?