DIY Mastering: Get Loud, Bright and Balanced Tracks using Free Plugins (FFL!)

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Plugins used: 07:29 Brainworx bx_control: ow.ly/wjSPi 13:02 lkjb Luftikus: ow.ly/wjSWV 25:08 TDR VOS Slick EQ: ow.ly/wjTok 28:10 Vladg/sound Molot: ow.ly/wjTKq 33:10 Vladg/sound Limiter No6: ow.ly/wjUpT 33:30 Sample Magic A/B: ow.ly/wjUwv

[@ninastonitsch1523]

? what the heck

[@user-ey1wj9dn8y]

Nina Stonitsch its the Vst's

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Nina Stonitsch These are the plugins used in the tutorial! Most are free to download

[@AdamCosmo]

Thank you very much! I mean who doesn't like good free gear? :)

[@MrYakkforgottenpass]

***** I think if you do a complete back-up of your computer system, it will automatically save the plug-ins you downloaded.

[@SamForderer]

This guy is the most fantastic teacher. Could listen to him talk about sound for hours.

[@oksanakozmulyak2824]

6:48 about 6dB headroom )) 7:46 bout plug-ins ))) 9:45 about Waves Center )) 27:54 about DAW )) 43:37 compare at the same level )) Dr. Evil )) Thank You for this video. God bless You )

[@johnr2004]

Genuinely the most useful video on this I've seen in a long time, love that its not bogged down with detail and sticks to really grasping the concept, helped me no end, thanks very much!

[@pointblankmusicschool]

John Ronald Hey John - nice glad to hear it! There's plenty more to learn on our mastering course :: online.pointblanklondon.com/dip-he-in-music-production-and-business.php

[@vfastvdangerous]

Best quick DIY mastering class on youtube IMO. Recommend to all amateur producers like myself. Thanks!

[@dddux]

TDR plugins work absolutely reliably on a PC, no crashes at any time, so that PC users who use Windows [XP x86 and 7 x64 here] don't get scared of using them. I really love SlickEQ and Feedback Comp II. Great mastering grade plugins. Luftikus EQ is also great. However, for limiting I would advise those who don't want their tracks squashed to oblivion to consider using LoudMax plugin for light limiting tasks as it's better quality. It can give you absolutely transparent up to 3dB of gain. For what I do it is absolutely perfect as I only want to sort of address the highest peaks and leave most of the dynamics intact. If you like the "pancaked" sound, use VladG's Limiter then, because it works better for making "pancakes". I won't go into details of what you should put on your pancakes, but I really like mashed bananas with a bit of cocoa powder in it. It's really delicious! ;) Btw. No offence, but how can you hear anything on KRK Rokit's 5? Even VXT-6 are much better, and you can do wonders with these, especially if you have some other reference lo-fi speakers like Yamaha HS50 or 80. Gosh... they can barely work as mixing speakers, let alone for mastering. Just a little bit of critics and putting things into the perspective, I hope you can handle it. It's not ill mannered and based upon loads of experience. :) I'm not going to brag about what I use for mastering, but KRK Rokits are really the lowest of the lowest ends there is. Otherwise, it is a really great mastering tutorial for newbies! You just have to be aware of some facts that I pointed out. [now shut the fuck up, Dave, you've already said too much :)] Big up, guys! Great tutorial! d= :) =b Just a little P.S. Your tracks will sound better if you don't squash them too much either on Soundcoud, or radio or whatever. Be reasonable with a limiter and LISTEN CAREFULLY and A/B often! I would also use L2 just to master a track for people I really don't like.

[@dddux]

+Osito De Peluche Have you tried using a dynamic mic instead? Condensers are overrated mate... ;) They are too sensitive IMO, but of course it depends on the track you're recording. However, in most cases a dynamic mic sounds better to my ears, and it's easier to mix with.

[@safe_in_sound]

Great post, thank you

[@imcinc7796]

Pointblank Alumni here!! love the tutorial, it is easy to follow and definitely yields positive results in the end as mastering is generally not an easy task unless the mixing had been optimally done

[@davidbryan-z8b]

Love that his mic is clipping

[@myami3733]

this is so good. i luv this channel. thanks Point Blank Music School

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Mya Mi You're welcome!

[@delicate.mascara]

Mastering is one of those things I am reluctant to learn - I'd rather leave it to the experts... but, time and limited funds make it a necessity. thank you for demystifying the whole process!

[@hublblbl]

excellent tutorial. I appreciate the lack of typical mastering engineer snobbery, thanks guys

[@PRSOne]

Just FYI, that free EQ was modeled after the Maag EQ4... which was modelled after the discontinued NTI EQ3. I've never heard the original, but the Maag EQ4 sounds amazing.

[@dddux]

Luftikus actually sounds even more amazing, even though it's free.

[@swiftmoney3632]

This guy got that shit down he knows what he is doin! good job!

[@LikworLive]

Thanks to both of you guys enjoyed it!

[@IMAWriterRobJ]

Well done vid, and appreciate JC moving through the features quickly yet thoroughly. I'm sure Brainworx appreciates the intelligent input on their plugs.

[@dddux]

Yeah, IMO this is the only one Brainworx plugin worth considering paying for, too.

[@ifenceltd5395]

Just wanna say a big thanks for all of these videos you keep making for us ive learnt so much from you guys already and am hoping to join up to your courses one day if i ever get the time off from work and family life. Massive thanks to all of you always incredibly helpful and informative.

[@cueboyd8666]

My masters are sounding so much clearer now, Thanks guys.

[@s.knight5991]

After watching this tutorial, I downloaded Limiter No6 and I must say I'm convinced. It's a superb mastering plugin and to my opinion better than the Waves L2. The only problem now is that I feel the urge to remaster all my tracks. ;-)

[@pointblankmusicschool]

S. Knight Ha! Glad you like it, it's a great plugin for sure

[@dddux]

Waves L2 is a really bad limiter, man. It may be simple but it sounds like crap. It's been overcome by so many freeware and paid for plugins I've lost count. Who uses L2 any more?? I'd use LoudMax every time instead of it. I wish the myths of Waves plugins being the holy grail get dispersed as soon as possible. Waves plugins have been good in the 90s and early 00s when there wasn't much competition, but nowadays they just sound like your average plugins. Keep it real. d= ;) =b

[@arseniy]

But it's old maximizer. There is newer waves created. I didn't buy them to tell for sure but why to blame waves based on some old one?

[@athamz9872]

This is being a huge help for mastering my demos! Thanks a lot guys! Incredible Plugs! I´m re-following the videos and your ideas every time I´m starting a new one :) This is just gr8 :D

[@terrydoyle]

HI, Just a comment on why mastering mode is indented ... its because to get the best signal in the mastering version they actually used a series of switches instead of a continuous pot under the knob. The continuous pot would give you signal noise but the indented knob is actually switching between a series of different circuits. That would also explain why it was more expensive because each switch/indent required its own resistors and components etc. More assembly, etc.

[@miskar2]

Thanks Point Blank for another awesome video,you certainly opening my head and ears to detail

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Nice one Michael, glad you enjoyed it!

[@omniechelonsoundpage]

Good point about headroom and dynamic range at 5:58 for mastering. Just leave enough space before it peaks on the master track. That's all that matters.

[@ochjoenge]

at 5:40 the guy on the right is SO annoyed for being interrupted :)

[@D3TOSS]

totally :D

[@DICKTURPIN1976]

haaaaaaaaaa! 😂 lad looks like he wants to put an axe in the back of his head for most of the video 😃

[@SanderCurtis]

lol someone makes a meme please

[@loontil]

i do that. hate getting cut off like that. and sometimes i cant hide i. like this guy. funny

[@DICKTURPIN1976]

SpaceOrbison haha love it😂 Am picturing the guy in the red t-shirt having a moment similar to Michael douglas's epic meltdown in the movie falling down if this behaviour carries on from our French cousin..

[@MikePiligrim]

You have just persuaded me to download and finally give a try to those two funny russian plugins you had last in your chain, I had been avoiding them scarry ones for ages :D But this is not the point. The point is, I really admire the coloration of your studio, man, I would love to work in such a nice and cozy looking place!

[@edg4131]

This guy is a boss. Loving the knowledge. Thank you for this.

[@fernandomonreal4682]

it is funny cause, you are one great mastering engineer and a professional of media communications together, and no one of you had take care of the balance between your speech and musical volume what make this video difficult to follow, specially with my baby neighbor sleeping, forcing to me to be changing the volume constantly in my laptop, to try to listen on both music and speech parts of the vid. That said, it is a great masterclass, so anyway thank you!!

[@PsychoCaki]

Woow .This really helping and really I can hear the difference on my headphones .I like the part on 43:11 when he "matched" volume as the same unmastered track.Mastered got really nice feel and positive difference at the "same"volume .Of all videos and I watch a lot really with a lot "famous" mastering guys (and i watched more then 100 videos) this is most usefull and explained good .Really great job :) .

[@beans3549]

Thank you PB and JC!

[@JCConcato]

You're welcome George

[@idankupferberg6438]

amazingly informative - one of the best videos out there!!!

[@azfiu]

excellent FFL, I learned a lot. thanks guys!

[@stevenking3249]

Great vid, thanks! I'll have to come back and watch again soon.

[@patroche1266]

Best mastering Video I've seen. Thank you. DL plugins now. Cheers! Worth donating to these mfgs who bring us quality plugins the home studios can afford

[@HeartSoulLeake]

Point Blank Music School nice video, pretty informative, and the soundcloud track comparison really tells the story. I had a little challenge following the presenter's accent at times, but no worries, I still got a lot from this tutorial. Thank you.

[@clarencehorton5889]

Thank you, most informative mastering video I have seen.

[@nano7586]

Really cool guy... I wish he was my teacher.

[@LipHop22]

Great video! Cool guy, I really enjoy him sharing his passion for his profession. Thanks!

[@tuduloo7799]

Great tutorial, and plug-ins much appreciated..

[@Anemoo]

Great Lesson guys i learned a lot very useful information free plugins are often underestimated i myself sometimes do also i will make sure i don't judge a plug by its look or price.

[@signalchef]

Great video guys!

[@TommyMacLasVegas]

Knowledge is what you know, wisdom is applying that knowledge..allot of wisdom here..

[@customdrumtracksonlinedrum4960]

Wow.. great stuff.. thanks for making this video.. gotta love free...

[@f4t0l]

great video. keep up the amazing work guys!

[@timrideout]

Great explanation and comparison of these awesome plugins!

[@ephjaymusic]

Fantastic stuff here! Thank you!

[@egoadsr]

I noticed the eq that can go up to 40Khz, nice thing, it surely add something in the top end, but with the limitation due to the aliasing of the numeric format, if the samplerate of the soundcard or the soundfile is set to 44100Hz, the top frequency is 44100/2 = 22050Hz, barely 20Khz because the system had to cut the highs a lot to avoid spectral issues. The best way to use it, can be using a 96Khz sample rate, with an harm exciter before if it's used directly on a 44.1Khz sample.

[@pointblankmusicschool]

+Greg au Riz It's a 40kHz frequency, but the slope is what gives it the air and brings the boost into audible range more gradually and subtly than boosting directly at 18-20Khz

[@egoadsr]

Okay, it'as a sort of parametric bell eq applyed to 40Khz, so the slope affect the high end frequencies, but in the case of a less than 88.1Khz, it's approximatly the same effect than apllying a high shelf at 20Khz...

[@jorgepeterbarton]

+Point Blank Music School I noticed when an EQ goes up to 20khz, there is often a bit of compromise on the shape as it get to the edge, especially with peaks and things. Is this the main advantage? I read something about EQ being able to affect transients somehow as well, like in 44.1k you can have a really short bit of data, so that was some argument for going up to the whole range of whatever sample rate you set..

[@mpunkth]

thx for the right questions at the right time declan.

[@DJSCOOBVibes]

Awesome! I really appreciate your vids

[@pointblankmusicschool]

DJ SCOOB No problem Scoob!

[@TheOfficialSK3X]

if thats what they call cloudy, then im fucked....

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Link us some of your music! :-)

[@TheOfficialSK3X]

soundcloud.com/officialkurse Thanks

[@twistoffate01]

i just checked out ur sound cloud and in my opinion your music is INSANE......wow u have a great sound what mixing and mastering plugins did you use

[@TheOfficialSK3X]

Parametric EQ 2, Fabfilter C, Q and L and Izotope Ozone 5

[@DoniMusic]

fuck man i know what you mean

[@Isaacthompson]

Great one! Thank you..

[@Vortecdude]

took me a couple minutes to get the accent but this video is amazing i have to keep coming back to learn everything

[@hammercanttouchthis]

'Theee surgi-cal Eee-Q' love your tutorials, thanks for the help. Looking to do one of your courses in due course, once I finish buying the additional hardware needed... Once again thank-you 😃🔮✨

[@UmaRecordings]

Great video. One of the things I have problems with when mastering is reference points. I mean you can shape and strectch your track in so many ways that it can make you go crazy. How do you know how much bass is too much when you havent' got the chance to listen to it on big club speakers. Are there any frequency guidlines out there you could use?

[@robintayger]

"Less is more", that's a guideline that always works!

[@cameronmurphy5850]

Shahin x spectral analyzer

[@BergOlstad]

Great vid. Appreciate it a lot!

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Nice, thanks!

[@teo8117]

thanks, it actually let me through so i could download it.

[@realraven2000]

I would think stem mastering shouldn't actually change the balance between talks but it should help with transparency by tightening stuff like drums or even side chaining bass / vocals to make the mix louder or more dynamic.

[@smilelybdjsmiley7736]

TOP STUFF VLADG WOW!!

[@mikemartin6554]

great vid and great knowledge,thanks! I've subscribed to your channel.

[@CornSw]

Awesome! This is just invaluable!

[@BergansBeats]

Brilliant ...thanks guys!!!

[@midiman5045]

Thanks for great videos.

[@martinologue]

Thanks, Very useful video!

[@LFOVCF]

Great info, great vid

[@Mclennnan]

Brilliant. Thanks PB

[@user-ey1wj9dn8y]

Really helpful, This will most certainly help me improve my mix and master. Another great free video from Point Blank Music School.

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Thanks a lot Andy! Glad you liked it

[@lukejansen3540]

5.40, guy on the right looks like he wants to kill the other guy for talking over the top of him lol

[@spaceorbison]

Lol whuuuutt

[@nebroskitheraut6705]

Rightfully so

[@owenkilleen]

Some good thoughts shared, to be continued ....

[@SubnoteMuzik]

let me get this right, you don't limit your track before you bounce it to audio, if your going to master it?

[@gripchris]

Very informative, thank you,

[@urbanfabric]

Adding a list of Plugin's used would be a great idea. Can you put the list in the "About" section? Thanks for another expertly done video.

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Plugins used: 07:29 Brainworx bx_control: ow.ly/wjSPi 13:02 lkjb Luftikus: ow.ly/wjSWV 25:08 TDR VOS Slick EQ: ow.ly/wjTok 28:10 Vladg/sound Molot: ow.ly/wjTKq 33:10 Vladg/sound Limiter No6: ow.ly/wjUpT 33:30 Sample Magic A/B: ow.ly/wjUwv 

[@urbanfabric]

Point Blank Music School Thank You

[@TifsterBeatz]

Thanks allot guys!

[@priyonjoni]

Request subtitles please.

[@AndreHeatnzeMusic]

seriously?

[@BeatPresse]

Nice Vid. Thanks for sharing. It is really not needed to have highprice plugIns for mastering if your mix is good but in some cases Freeware is not supported for ever. I lost a few mixes and mastering work by updating my computer.

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Thanks a lot! Definitely a good point and something to keep in mind with this tutorial.

[@BeatPresse]

Nice you say that. To be fair let me say that when I updated my waves vst to 64bit I lost the 32bit settings too. Horrible but now it will work many years and if they ever comes up with such bad ideas again you can influence the industry by buying or not buying stuff.

[@SmoothBrotha]

I LOVE the color scheme of that studio.

[@DavidPixleythemuzzlZ]

what was the plugin he mentioned by "Excess L" called Excism? I'm sure I spelled it wrong, but he mentioned it for preventing clipping once a WAV is converted to an MP3.

[@elefantsnablar]

I love this guy

[@Benton7395]

Great video and very useful tips! I've noticed that you are using all mastering plug ins on the track , not on the output. So it really doesn't matter where to put these plugs? It's only metering on the output... Is that a rule or it doesn't matter? Thanks!

[@Chpimpas]

Can you make a great song if you only use internal plug ins?

[@xXxTHEBEATMAKERxXx]

When did Jean Chretien start producing?

[@davidvalens3337]

Would Love to see a new 2019 video fof mastering

[@TheSpoonwood]

the examples look like they were already limited. were they? ..... thankfully with a wee bit of headroom. Nice discussion . thx

[@stereosympathy]

Where do you guys fall on using a service like Landr? I've had mixed results but it seems to be getting better at recognizing genres.

[@carlingwilliam7783]

A great video.

[@Katcloudz]

many thx...potent info

[@Castrouk_]

Incredibly helpful video!! Also, like the track man! Some French Express style shit! Boosh

[@pointblankmusicschool]

Nice one Owen! Glad you like it

[@dmv_p]

When A/B'ing your material, I find it best to put the tracks above/below each other and put your DAW or mastering software to "Solo on Select" - Cubase, WaveLab, ProTools, Reaper, and StudioOne all have something similar. This helps make more direct comparisons. Just my $0.02 ...

[@samplemagic]

Much easier... Try Magic AB ;-) www.samplemagic.com/details/184/magic-ab

[@808j3]

On no...the wood box kick. Done that many times!

[@WayneYelverton333]

Awesome!

[@spadeyspacely]

I guess I'm just trying to figure why at about 6:48 he coins the -6dB/-3dB theory to be rubbish, but a few years back in the "Mastering w/ Waves Plugins" video, he was pretty solid on giving those exact numbers. As far as dynamic range is considered, I'm a bit confused as to how to note/monitor the difference between that and peak volume.

[@francescoscala6186]

tabias scŏt he said early in this video that his focusing on mastering is altering his style of mixing a bit, so that might be it

[@Alberto.R.Diaz.]

Are these plugins compatible with FL?? Great tutorial by the way!! Cheers!!

[@JCConcato]

Yes Alberto, FL can use VST plug ins. Cheers.

[@Alberto.R.Diaz.]

Jc Concato Thank you master!!

[@djhlsmusic]

Can anyone tell me what he says at 12:35? It sounds like he's saying "...but what you're gonna need is a bit of tapand..." Is it top end? Like as in referring to treble basically?

[@JCConcato]

Hi Alex, yes that would be top end as in High Frequency range or treble :)

[@elijahlucian]

how does a boost at 40k help is your sample rate 88.1 or more?

[@pointblankmusicschool]

+Elijah Lucian A boost at 40kHz isn't just a boost at that frequency. If the EQ band has has a slope of 12dB/Oct, for example, a boost of 15dB at 40kHz would still boost 3dB at 20Khz, within in the audible range. Maag's EQ, and the Luftikus used here, are designed very specifically to add 'air' without harshness.

[@elijahlucian]

Oooooooo I did you think about that so just a slight boost at the top. Makes sense. However in three world of lossy compression , would this have an actual effect or is it just for high fidelity listeners? Thanks for the reply

[@sirshinra]

+Elijah Lucian I feel it wouldn't add as much to radio plays (because of their extra compression) and other scenarios such as clubs. However, for personal listening (headphones, sound system) it would add an element of ambience, and really a drop of 'life' to the mix. So subtle, but the air just pens everything up so slightly. I think high fidelity listeners will appreciate this a lot, but non-high fidelity casual listeners will feel something from it without really noticing.

[@realraven2000]

Is there a free plugin for exactly measuring Dynamic Range? I have ozone and Cubase Pro maybe they have it?

[@flynnbeats6504]

link to the mastered song ?

[@ikhlasulamal5714]

Works well!! DANKEEE

[@hewrecbizman]

Do these guys have a rack of outboard gear anywhere. Is everything really with just plugins in that studio software? The reason I ask is because of other recording You Tube videos that make it like mastering with just studio software plugins isn't really any good, when right now I can't afford all the actual physical pieces of equipment they have.

[@pointblankmusicschool]

hewrecbizman We have a few studios here at PB but we feel that using free plugins makes it more accessible to everyone. It's up to you whether you consider software 'good' for mastering, but the techniques explained here can be transferred to hardware if you don't.

[@dddux]

Yes it is good enough, don't worry. Especially when you know the tools you use and what you want/need to do to make it sound better. Of course, you do need great pair of speakers and a treated room to accomplish that. The latter are the most important things to master a track properly, actually. Tools don't matter that much.

[@shanemccarthy5629]

Great video lads great help,,,any other recommendations apart from molot for a free analog crempessor plugin? I tried redamption but unfortunately will only run on 32bit ableton

[@harold21000]

At the end, he didn't arrive to -10 RMS, if he didn't arrived, its bad?

[@478Cubano]

hi i'm using logic X and i do not see the channel EQ that you are using in your video could you please tell me where is located ?

[@DavidPixleythemuzzlZ]

would you recommend having the EQ Saturation on for boosting the mids, did you have it on?

[@nannosimonis3874]

Does this mean the bass and kick are usualy in the middle and hats and percussion should be at the sides? Because when you higher the stereowith only the percussion and highhats become louder

[@JASEmsc]

+Nanno Simonis Good practise to put bass and kick as mono and do some slight panning with your hats and percs