Mixing & Mastering Logic 8

[chrispercival]

hi guys,

If i were using Logic 8 to mix, where would i go from here to master?

Do bounce as MP3?

Do i set normalize?

Do i then import the Mp3 into Logic's stereo mastering suite?

Thanks In Advanced

[Canei]

do not use the normalize feature cause that will make it hard to master... bounce to a 24bit wav file if you want it to get mastered and get the best results. if you are going to master it then you can put your master effects directly on the master output this way you can always go back and turn instruments down if you need to. If not then just bounce is as 24bit wav with no normalize.

[7thangel]

+ properly name file i.e. My song_Mc Red_24_44.1 Hz.

[cbrewer]

Never bounce to mp3 until your mix is ready to be uploaded online somewhere. Or put on your ipod.

For cd you use wav.

[chrispercival]

OK, cheers for the help....

Now what shall i set my main level peak & RMS to... as when i bounce the track to MP3 or WAV it sounds very clippy!?

Chris

Also, when i set the master level to perfect (0) when played in iTunes the levels seem low, and the song is very quiate compared to other songs in my iTunes!! - i cant win... too much it sounds awful and too little it sounds too quiate!!

Whats the optimum levels for bouncing??

[Canei]

first of all you have to make sure that your faders arent on pre fader metering. Look that up in logic and it will explain what it is. Now if you set your volume right below the red so that it doesnt hit then that means that you will have no digital distortion. sometimes people like the sound of digital distortion so they may let it touch red a little. But i dont i make sure before i put the master effect on my master output my music is hitting below 0db and my master output fader is at 0. The only way you will get your music to sound as loud as you want it without sounding nasty is by limiting and compressing with master effects. make sure you use your mastering effects the right way. read about mastering.

oh yeah and sometimes you will compare two songs and they may read the same on the meter but they may not be the same volume. for instance if you turn a kick up until it almost hits red, and then compare it to another track with the same kick but this time with a compressor, limiter, or saturator on it you will see that the kick with the effects is actually louder even tho it reads the same on the meter. This is the same with whole songs. A good mastering limiter/multicompressor will have your mix gain some volume. be careful not to over compress.

[chrispercival]

Thanks For Your Help