Mastering Berried Alive's ILLEMONATI!

Confused about what we actually do in mastering? Or just curious to have a peek behind the curtain? Let's dig into the process from final mix revisions to the final master with Berried Alive's ILLEMONATI!
Greenlight Studios
www.glsrecording.com
Berried Alive
🍋ILLEMONATI🍋
🍋👁KZbin | • BERRIED ALIVE | ILLEMO...
🍋👁SPOTIFY | open.spotify.com/album/5RRzkc...
🍋👁ITUNES | music.apple.com/album/1553339...
🍋👁APPLE MUSIC | / id
🍋👁BANDCAMP | berriedalive.bandcamp.com/tra...
🍋👁OFFICIAL MERCH | www.berriedaliveofficial.com/...

[@JiffyPb23]

I can really appreciate a no BS video like this. A recourse like you will be so helpful on my journey through audio school! Keep it up!! You earned a sub😁🤘

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

Thank you! I truly appreciate that! Feel free and reach out if you have questions. I plan on starting to do more videos now that I'm getting more familiar with all of the moving parts involved in the video side!

[@JiffyPb23]

@@greenlightstudiospnw I actually do have a question now that you say that. Any advice on starting your own studio and finding clients? Or just general advice involving mixing/mastering work. The scariest part of audio school for me is not knowing what exactly I want to do when I get out of it, just that I want to learn what I can before I get out there

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

@@JiffyPb23 I can't speak for certain since I wasn't in audio school, but the friends I have had that did go usually say the psychology and business side of it. In our job, they come to us with the expectation that we have the audio skills. How we stand out is what is important. Whether that being your communication style, a highly trained ear, a place that feels like home, etc., part of what they are paying *you* for is what you bring to the table. To the other side of that, social media is free advertising! What started my journey posting was Gary Vee saying "Stop thinking, stop trying to "figure out" how to do video... just document. If it interests you, it will likely interest someone else." I've had a lot of growth from social media just by sharing the artists I work with, and that in turn has built a community of artists sharing each other. Seeing that unfold was a really cool experience! Lastly... I once heard a line from Brian Tracy saying "There is no traffic on the extra mile.", and that always made an imprint to me. As in, put in more value than you ask in return. Make your clients feel appreciated - they are why we get to do what we do! Like the video... brevity isn't my strength! =D

[@Aaronius_Maximus]

What a pleasure it must have been to work with Charles on this masterpiece. Thanks for sharing this breakdown! Subbed!

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

It honestly was a pleasure. Charles is an elite level artist, and having someone like that to critique your work and then get to go back and forth to polish the gem... Loved it! You are quite welcome! And thank you!

[@masamunetozzi]

U chose the best of the best 👌🏼

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

And I was appreciative for them to trust me with their work! It was an awesome experience!

[@dillipod7]

Damn, this is incredibly helpful

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

Thank you! I try and distill things down to make more sense! There is a lot of misinformation in mastering online, so I'm hoping this helps some people!

[@Lyrizone]

Great job on your newest walkthrough video my friend.

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

Thank you! I've got one coming for one of your tracks shortly also!

[@christianmaldonado2787]

Awesome video! I start a mastering class next semester so it was really cool to hear you break down the mix of a great song

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

Nice! One of the biggest things to remember about mastering is that it's looking at music from a different perspective. A large amount of the skill is in ear training and just doing it over and over again!

[@CraveDiamonds]

Hell yes so excited to watch this! BA4L❤️🍓!!! You did a magnificent job 🤯🤯🤯👂🧠✍️😋💣💥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🤒🤒🤒🤒

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

Thank you so much! When having the opportunity to work on their music, I wanted to make sure I brought value to the table, and I appreciate how much positive response it's been getting!

[@BANANAeagle]

This is the best mastering video I've ever seen. Really helpful, you explain it so clearly!

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

Thank you so much! I just wanted to show that it's not that it's super secretive, it's that you just really have to train yourself. The little things add up, and once you know what to look for, it's just lots and lots of ear training! =D

[@AaronBowley]

i used to produce music play every instrument took a break for 10 years i haven't watched the video yet but berried alive is one of the few bands/artits that wake my brain up so I'm so stoked you're doing this ok lets go :)

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

I feel that! I used to do lots of band stuff for years, and a few years ago I converted over to primarily studio side for the consistency. But that also means I get to play instruments on a lot of artist's albums, which makes all of the previous efforts worth it! And thank you for the kind words! I hope you enjoy it!

[@AaronBowley]

@@greenlightstudiospnw yeah dude im a multi too ^_^ hope you're having a great day :D

[@AaronBowley]

@MrMacabre i might mess around a bit :)

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

@@AaronBowley Nice! They are good skills to have! No time like the present to jump back in if you miss it! We all find inspiration at random times. It's a good thing! I will, and you do the same!

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

@MrMacabre Agreed! Music is what keeps me sane. =D

[@samg9672]

This was really helpful, as someone who wants to get into mixing and production. Very quickly so you have any tips for someone who’s just starting out to do this kind of activity? Also does a good pair of headphones compensate for the lack of subwoofers?

[@Viruseye]

I actually have a sub in the studio, but I also use Slate VSX headphones that models many other studios and headphones. I like to test the mix in an assortment of speakers. i also have a small mono speaker, a small Bose system, and a few others that I also check things on at the final stages. One thing that most overlook is the room! If you can't treat the room well, look into Sonarworks room correction software. It can be a life saver!

[@EnderFitnessLifestyle]

Excellent job!

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

Thank you! Always the goal!!

[@EdeaDrumerette]

very interesting vid I love Berried Alive

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

I do as well, so it was a blast being able to work on it! Thank you!

[@fvneral666]

Charles is a SICK player... jesus fnnnn christ!

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

Yes... yes he is. I remember when the "fake guitar" stuff was going around, and I was like "Uh... I know the guy. Nothing fake about it." =D

[@fvneral666]

@@greenlightstudiospnw ye I also remeber that and I was like "wtf is wrong with people" Glad he never took it seriously!

[@jakecrawford3106]

Sick job 🤙🏻 subbed

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

Thank you! I look forward to doing more videos now that I'm getting the system for it down a bit better!

[@jacobstracener4702]

I couldn’t see a lufs reading, what was the target lufs you were aiming for while mastering this?

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

Man, I had a detailed reply going and the page crashed. I'll try and cover it again! To me, there are two main guidelines, and that's not what I look for. Right now those are the current target numbers, but when the medium changes, so will those targets. So I do look to have mixes at around -12dB and masters around -9dB, but that is also dependant on the source material and references. For metal, we crush it much more than say a singer/songwriter. I'll use clipping for heavier stuff, but rarely on lighter stuff. Other side of that, which I find equally important, is what references the artists give me. In the video I talk about "What tracks would this song be in between on a Spotify playlist?", and the reason for this is that if they give references that are at -6, I'm going to do my best to reach that - but I won't compromise the quality unless that's what the artist wants. If the references are soft and more towards -16dB, then I'll use that. I also use the MAAT DRMeter Mkii, and not all metering software is created equal. Not that my meter can beat up someone else's meter, just noting that is what I use to base my numbers from. At the end of the day, we need to be competitive, but we need to use our ears more than chase numbers. I say this as a former number chaser, I just found the better I got, the less I had to chase. I hope that helps!

[@donkendall6685]

"Pun"isher ha!

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

LOL! Seriously! I said it for years, and one day they released the song and I was like "Well, this is why not to procrastinate.." =D

[@donkendall6685]

It's great to see you doing well man! We need to catch up sometime!

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

@@donkendall6685 Absolutely! It feels like it's been forever!

[@lukesnyder1036]

There is wrong! Complexity of depth and scope and dynamic range are tantamount to quality. But for real I just listen to house music four on the floor is soothing

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

One thing you have to remember if you master for clients... Opinions aren't ours to push on others. Some clients want massive dynamic range. Others want it the loudest possible. Most want a middle ground. Remember that when you work for others, their happiness keeps a client. Forcing your opinions on them has them go elsewhere. I pick my battles. 🙂

[@MrUNIXsnob]

My phone is connected to a sub lol

[@greenlightstudiospnw]

Ha! Touche. You win this round... =D