Are You Listening? | Ep. 6 | EQ in Mastering

[@iZotopeOfficial]

Track ID: Death and the Penguin - Colour In Me

[@bradswim]

One of the only example tracks I actually enjoy listening to over and over!

[@5thspear]

Watched this for mastering tips; fell in love with the track 😂

[@chanelcochrane8276]

OMG I was just about to ask!! What a track!!

[@steveonyx3633]

V

[@LiMCRiMZ]

Literally NOBODY else on the internet has been able to explain the fundamentals of mastering in such a simple yet in depth way. Seriously, I've known the basics for over 10 years now but these few minutes have given me the clarity I've missed track after track. Thanks for mastering my thought process, bravo!

[@pOOL_pANTS]

He EQ'd your process

[@3zambrano]

Absolutely love this entire series, thanks iZotope!

[@josephpurdue7583]

Me too! I had no idea about how high passing can affect the upper regions and the phase, but actually when he mentioned it and did the A/B, I was like 'holy crap, he's right!' Yet so so many people start a mix by high passing a bunch of instruments. I rarely high pass anymore, but I'll probably do it even less now that I understand this. The subtle wide bells where also an eye opener. LOVE this series!

[@donbagus7591]

As a self-learned producer who also mixes and masters his own songs, I was stuck in tutorial purgatory when I first started out a couple of years ago. These tutorials always made you feel like you were missing some secret "ingredient" to get your mixes/masters to top quality. This isn't the case here. Absolutely top notch quality information from someone who actually knows what he is talking about. I learned so much more in just the first six episodes of this series, then from watching hundreds of these random tutorials. Thanks, iZotope and Mr. Wyner for this series!

[@marcothemakr14]

hold up hold up.... Jonathan Wyner IS the hero with the EQ lol. this is funny because the other day i shelved down below 30 hz for this very reason and it worked extremely well for me

[@4dmind]

Yep - I've heard people say "Don't use meters" or "Don't use anything visual". I couldn't disagree more. You shouldn't drive your listening and aesthetics decisions via visuals, of course. Sometimes, a track sounds better with something exaggerated. Some tracks sound great with a flatter spectrum, some sound great with a perfect inverted F-M curve. But, I couldn't mix or master without measurement and good scopes/meters. I am constantly listening, then thinking, then checking meters, in a constant cycle of observation and verification. This is a great video and a great video series.

[@atta1798]

It depends on your experience....many Mastering people like JW have amazing ears that work better than any meters...etc so how do u really know? you would need to be a complete Audio engineer with a University diploma in Engineering plus an experienced musician..playng different instruments .producer, Mixer, and years years of playing listening all types of music....producing .... n understand these tools to build a correlation to the meters etc etc....or JW experience......if you have that then you are solid but even Bob Ludwig will tell you trust always your ears.....of course as long as they are OK....the issue with this career is that all the knowledge is with people like JW, Ludwig etc...and not in books....so u might think you are correct and you will never know uf you are not.....even with JW he might think his method is correct but from the DSP point of view or the critical path in the engineering Mastering discipline he will never know he can be more efficient or he is doing it wrong BUT the audio seems fine...........self taught technical disciplines do need the complement of engineering school and knowledge......this is a very complex and amazing career .... in contrast an Audio engineer will not be able to do what JW does ... simply speaking...to use the meters and other equipment correctly....they would need to be calibrated ...etc..etc another topic ...

[@Syklonus]

I once had a guy absolutely berate me for using a graphic EQ instead of a parametric one. He said it wasn't "real" and I wasn't training my ears correctly. I disagreed and said I was training my eyes and ears to work together, which must be better than "just" your ears. Gatekeeping elitism is just one more thing in the mountain of tasks that we face in the audio game.

[@lovenangelo5415]

I watched episode 1 to 6. Thank so much iZOTOPE for making videos like this. It gave very useful information to us rising music producers. I look forward for more videos especially about mixing through using Neutron. The mastering engineer of this series is very good at explaining stuff. A big applause for his talent. Great Job!

[@Unders]

I actually liked the high pass gain bump and focus it gave. its a technique i use a lot, However working in electronic music perhaps it just rings better with that sound.

[@BigTCup1176]

This is the most enlightening channel on KZbin. I learn so much every time I listen to one of your videos

[@3volvemusic]

Shelving EQ > High Pass Low Shelf -1.5 dB at 35 Hz High Shelf +1.5 dB around 6 kHz Bell +0.5 dB, .5 Q at 65 Hz So many gems in this one 🙏

[@originalvonster]

1:30 m/s not always needed 2:40 eq for restoration and correction 5:15 detented positions mastering gear 8:00 argument for metering eyes vs ears 9:30 make notes about what you like and hear 11:30 broad Qs and shelves for tone shaping 17:15 removing subsonic info below 35 Hz (shelf not filter) 18:20 High pass filters create a phase shift 24:45 eq search and destroy method, subtract instead to see if it goes away or use frequency solo 26:00 when eq cutting take out half of what you think you need 28:00 Malcolm Gladwell 10,000 hours

[@88KeysMan]

This video series makes mastering actually attainable. Everyone always made mastering seem like only a select few can do it. Sure, it takes time to get good, but this series is encouraging.

[@n.k.9964]

Together with your competitors from the Netherlands, those are propably some of the best tutorials on the internet! Thanks a lot!

[@fattommy4436]

This guy is great, I'm not going to be mastering anything anytime soon but there's some absolute gold in this series that I can apply to mixing. Thanks for posting such quality info!

[@therhinoceros1]

This series is absolutely awesome! A million dollars worth of game....FOR FREE! Thanks!

[@globaldegenerates]

still wanna hug this guy for his words of wisdom.

[@MyToasterIsMoist]

This series has been so incredibly detailed, helpful, and insightful in a multitude of ways; I genuinely feel an improvement in my overall understanding of audio and I am very much appreciative. Jonathan Wyner please marry me.

[@rhonga2k]

This man is a genius!

[@SuperJonSluggo]

Wow, quality and wisdom sure stick out amongst the engineers who seem to thrive on frustration. Thank you for the well explained nuggets of gold, you rock sir.

[@WellenrittRH4E]

Hi Jonathan, many thanx for your excellent explanations. I am an Ozone-user since about 7 years, and everytime I see one of your videos, I learn something new, that makes me work better. Thank you very much

[@lukasjuhrich503]

At 20:10, you really spoke from my heart man. Every tutorial in mastering is 70% me not really hearing a difference, and that can be quite frustrating at times… Thanks for the constant pointers on what specific parts to focus on.

[@voice-of-oblivion]

After 30 years in the business and more than 10 million sold records, every morning when I enter my studio I still think:" Why to hell did I choose a job I have no talent for...?" What I mean is: IT TAKES A LOT OF TIME. So everybody stay cool and learn...It´s actually the fun part. Imagine there were no challenges left...

[@sacharapin3392]

Long lives this series and the teacher ! This is gold

[@Embowafa2004]

Probably the best series Ive seen on the subject of mastering.

[@RonBaker456]

Absolutely true about the visualizations. I have tinnitus and TBC2 has really helped me see where the tinnitus (and the hearing loss from playing music for years) were causing issues in my mixes with the high end being way too bright. You can learn to compensate for it, to some extent, but it's always nice to have what you think you're hearing confirmed visually. Great series. Really enjoying it. Thanks for sharing your time and expertise!

[@AutoclaveBeats]

This series has been extremely helpful....please don't end it.. It would also be great if we had a good mix engineer do a similar series using neutron

[@kaicanyonellis]

This series is tiding me over till Game of Thrones.

[@akshayrajiyer]

After a lot of deliberation I finally gave in and bought a bundle from izotope. No regrets! I’m constantly blown away by how clean and transparent the sound is through any of izotope’s plugins and look forward to more innovation in this domain that makes such production techniques accessible to hobbyists like myself! Also, wonderful series this is, I’ve learned so much already. Thank you!

[@urunc3183]

What an absolutely superb dude. Subbed!

[@khalilsdi5327]

I can watch these videos all time,thank you for your generous energy and teachings, i've never seen someone else explain mastering this way, thank you again, you are the best

[@dacbiz6092]

I am very glad with the precision and quality of these free mastering episodes. Every new episode is just so refreshing. As a matter of fact, I wish a new episode could be released every hour just because it's that good. soooooo much knowledge. I would love to say that I would save up to purchase my own copy of Ozone but I know its not about what tool you use but how well you use your tools. That being said, I need a copy of ozone and will hopefully pick up a copy soon to support such a great company. Thank you so very much. Amazing episodes.

[@FlexBlur]

So humble. Thank you very much for these tips. EQ is a tool that is used a lot but not often fully understood, at least for its various applications!

[@TadjhBrooks]

BIG takeaway from this episode: Make a boost/cut, then consider reducing that change in gain by half. Edit: I'm totally guilty of going too far with my EQ boosts & cuts!

[@Syklonus]

That's my rule of thumb. Boost/cut until you can hear the noticeable difference then cut it in half. Not all the time of course, but 99% of the time.

[@LiMCRiMZ]

In regards to your edit: aren't we all 😬 This is a great insight to take into every single session!

[@jacobsaintjames]

2 dB is the boost I get excited about when I hit the right frequency. 0.1dB is the boost that I end up adding in the end.

[@pelepele123456]

Wow , i love how pristine this is recorded , how transparent his room is , this is absolute top material , thanks iZotope!!

[@revol40]

Not only is it eye opening for mastering, but helps me make good decisions when mixing.

[@djdrewpyroproduction]

Great series this one was particularly good for me.

[@simononutube]

What an amazing educator. Clear and compelling in everything he has shared through this series. Thank you

[@razvancrisan8031]

Well Jonathan, maybe there isn't so much mystery in mastering at least for some, but it certainly is magic. And this is exactly what you do here. Great job! Many thanks!!!

[@m.k.9058]

Really good insight about how to think about EQ during mastering. Thanks for sharing this.

[@QuintSEnce]

More and more top class information, that can be used both in mastering and mixing. There is so much value in these superbly made tutorials. Thanks as always for sharing your expertise with us.

[@hbmike47]

Thank you Jonathan Weiner. This has been a wonderful series. I think the hardest to learn is the subtleties of using compression to either smooth,, thicken or add punch. The use of band specific compression as a separate stage in mastering was great. I always thought of that during tracking or mixing. Great idea.

[@themastroiannis]

simply...excellent! thanks for a wonderful tutorial!

[@R3BBiT]

Gotta love free educational mastering courses! Real nice work, iZotope

[@harrywatson5783]

Brilliant series. Thank you!

[@mayeganfriends6678]

You guys at Izotope have really helped me.... May you be abundantly blessed

[@mwalishahworld]

You are the best teacher I can wish. You explain it very easy and understanding way. Thankyou sir👍

[@OFCnmezi]

I'm really glad I found you here. Watched 1 to 6. I have been getting better results since then.

[@joshuasandoval5261]

Thanks for changing the example track! This is a perfect series! Incredible knowledge!

[@manta5890]

Wonderful teaching right here, it's a pleasure for me to sit down here quietly taking notes. Not to say that's a true privilege. Thanks iZotope and Jonathan, I'll make you proud of what I've accomplished in the next decade.

[@blackumbrellasoundlabz830]

Love these series..Helps me add to my tool box..PLLLEEEEAAASSSEEE keep this series goin..

[@javierjanaid]

I really like very much all this series. I want to thank you for that. And all of that for free.....thank you, thank you so much

[@BranTurn362]

This series was incredibly useful and insightful. I loved watching it! I feel like I've learned a lot!

[@bnixon8263]

you are amazing sir.. thank you so much for taking every minute

[@victornevares]

Best Episode so far, thank you so much, incredible work!

[@baselinesweb]

Great series I look forward to each week. And love the shirt on this one! :-)

[@xcacel764]

Jonathan, thanks so much! You have a gift. I've seen many mastering tutorials, but the way you explain things is on another level. It is a pleasure to learn those soft skills in this way, really! Explanations are amazingly clear, and finally some of the mysteries are solved. Still, I need to train my ears, because I hear 0,5% of what you noticed, and that's a but frustrating. But at least this showed the right way on how to start working correctly with my Ozone EQ, thanks.

[@CestLaVie73]

this series gave totally different perspective to mastering song. It was pleasure to see how pro does that and find out I need same kind of series also about mixing. Thx alot.

[@minhuang8848]

Man, that high-shelf around 16:35 completely changed the song. Totally would have started out with that as well and it already made it feel so much more situated.

[@mythravarun]

This is very very valuable information. Sooo precious. Thanks a lot for sharing this.

[@ForTheForsaken]

Firstly excellent in depth tutorial! I would ask though if you just apply a shelf to the inaudible sub frequencies would you not worry about there being any rumble that might appear on a bigger system than say headphones? Especially if the instruments were recorded in a home studio or something?

[@sunsetpoet-songwriter8323]

Thank you for sharing your sensibilities.

[@mod3stkayode735]

Life saving Information! Thank you 🙏

[@Matthew-ez4ze]

Fantastic series. Thank you Izotope and Mr. Wyner!

[@whymonkeymusic]

Only video in the series so far with 0 dislikes. Who posted the sign saying "NO IDIOTS" at the door to this one? (P.S.: Amazing series, thank you Mr. Wyner!)

[@juanchis.investigadorsonoro]

Haha too late, I see 2. Probably a couple of persons that just hope for a magic preset to sound "great".

[@Syklonus]

Who gives a fuck about likes or dislikes? It's just numbers on a screen and they mean fuck all. Unless of course you'rte the type who needs everyone to agree with you in order to feel validated? Also, a dislike doesn't always mean "I don't like the content". It can be too many ads, or maybe the upload isn't streaming correctly, or maybe they just disagree with one of the methods. It doesn't mean to say that they don't like the rest of it. Stop focusing on popularity contests.

[@jonasmemborg4196]

Great series. - I'm fairly new in the sound business and these videos really help me further my understanding of the tools, and how to utilize them better. A huge thank you, Jonathan, for taking the time. And thank you iZotope for providing such great tools.

[@hansdampf7397]

Jonathan your videos are great - thank you very much for sharing.

[@quazrmusic]

Absolutely love all of your insight & perspectives. Thanks a million iZotope & Jonathan Wyner #grateful

[@Moon_Pyramid]

pro presentation !!! thank you for the advice .. but seriously the presentation was onnnnn POINT !!

[@kiliankraus]

wow that difference it made when he cut the lowest lows was insane!

[@mhathungodyuoify]

So enriching, blessed🙏😇

[@therhinoceros1]

This HAS to be the dopest shit ever! I absolutely love this series and appreciate you guys for giving it to us!

[@sonidojamon]

This series is amazing!

[@music-studies]

thanks! great training and series!

[@MixingGBP]

So let me get it clear...you recommend shelving EQ over HPF when 'mastering' not when 'mixing', correct? I was always told when you are mixing to, "adjust the HPF on an individual track until you hear a difference, then back it off until you don't." That is when listening to the full mix, of course. I use the HPF on individual tracks and busses when mixing. I thought it helped to get rid of mud and add clarity to kick and bass. Looking forward to your comment.

[@kurtcameron7562]

Great video and great song choice!

[@grooveniks1872]

Thank you for this fantastic series. It is so helpful.

[@stevegalante]

GREAT series ! But... would mastering even exist without the expression "A LITTLE BIT" ??? Food for thought...

[@DAMATRIX]

I've produced and uploaded 11 tracks so far on my channel but thanks to this brilliant series my music will sound even better from now on. Guilty of using a high pass filter instead of a low shelf to remove some sub-sonic info in the past :/

[@JamarConley]

If you're just making beats to sell, you just need a good mix. There's really no reason to master a beat. If you have a good mix and just limit it to make it louder you'll be good. A good tip I would give is to make sure to mix the beat peaking around -10 to -12dbs. I think that will give you a nice ideal of how the bass is working in the mix, so you can fix it. If you can fix it in the mix then that's what you should do, instead of doing it in the mastering stages.

[@mathumphreys]

Great comment on the usefulness of visualisation.

[@holotropik]

Great track! Thanks for the knowledge. It's all so subtle.

[@mpoweron]

Your communication skills are adequately effective, Sir. Спасибо за информацию!

[@heavymetalmixer91]

The cut-n-sweep is my favorite for narrow cuts and it prevents all that ear fatigue that the boost-n-sweep technique produces.

[@XENIAtunes]

priceless stuff!!! Thank you!!!

[@DanolsPlaysGuitar]

Awesome videos guys! Loving all of them; THANKS!

[@LuisM_Piozza]

Awesome series!. Thanks a million, iZotope & J. Winer!

[@mirdesai4875]

Killing it guys! Thanks so much ❤️

[@jutre6045]

I agree on every word he throws.. what a great advice

[@Fifty7BeatsX]

This was extremely useful, thank you very much John!

[@hsjoberg]

Very good episode!

[@apenasmarcosfelipe]

amazing one sir, thank you so much for sharing this knowledge!!! Cheers

[@emmitbrooks9909]

I like your shirt! Thanks for the lesson.

[@RocknRollkat]

You are totally correct when you explain the history of equalization. The signal at the receiving station needed to be made to EQUAL the signal at the transmitting station, 200 miles away. Hence the term 'equalization'. So what you're telling me is that from the soundstage to the control room, you can't correctly transmit a signal 30 feet ? Today's children masquerading as 'engineers' have NO CLUE how to properly record most signal sources. Proper recording starts at the microphone element, NOT halfway downstream on the channel strip. And 'mastering' ? Mastering was originally the process of making a COMPLETED mix compatible with the constraints of vinyl. Today, mastering should not exist. A tape or .wav file should be completed in the recording studio. Good enough for Sam Phillips, good enough for you. Bill P.

[@pablov1973]

Thanks again for this incredible series, one of the part of the equipment/plugins that it's hard for me to get all what I want is exactly the equalizer. I always think to my self that I have a good ear to chase the issues in the mix (or a tape or record transfer) but I took me a lot of time to find the way to fix that issue, specially when is related with frecuency relationships.

[@xeximaxi]

i want more. these videos so cool

[@lajojoe9916]

when said: "Don't do anything, just STOP." I took that personally.

[@stuartwrigglesworth9339]

Fantastic video.

[@ObedOtoo]

Very educative ..keep it up

[@mistercitizen2089]

brilliant content.

[@muziekkamer]

Dear Jonathan Wyner Mr Izotope, You make good videos to follow. Can you make a video about the Remastered phenomenon? On what grounds are this choice made? Are other people involved now? Or is it a sales argument? can you tell the truth of Remastered phenomenon? and yes i am listening !!

[@zekolino1]

Thank you so much for the valuable knowledge that you share with us! Absolutely amazing in all aspects! I wanted to ask a question about my monitors. I am using Adam A5X. The problem is that I have a feeling that the lows are too prominent while the highs are kept down. I can tell so when I listen to my music through other outputs. I was just wondering if this has to do with my monitors or could you tell if I am doing something wrong and is there any way I could fix this? Thank you very much in advance!