What Is Mastering? In Depth with Kevin @ Wired Pt 2 - Exclusive!
November 10
(continued from pt 1)
What are some interesting projects you have worked on?
They're all interesting in they're own way!!!!! I know that's a total cop out, but I really mean it. Obviously some are better than others musically, but I get a lot of enjoyment out of meeting the artists and bands. It doesn't always follow that the people that make the best music are the most fun to sit in a studio with!! My website has a list of some of my projects on, and only the good ones we REALLY liked doing make it onto the website.
What makes something interesting to me would be incredibly dull to someone else… sorry.
What's your 'standard' signal chain, and why is it better than the kind of plug-ins bedroom producers have access to now?
Playback computer
–>
Weiss EQ1 (Digital Parametric Equaliser)
–>
Apogee DA16X or Apogee Rosetta 200 (Digital to Analogue Converters)
–>
Maselec MTC-2 (Master Transfer Console)
–>
Maselec MEA-2 (Parametric Equaliser)
–>
Maselec MLA-2 (Stereo Compressor)
–>
Chandler TG12413 Zener Limiter (Stereo Compressor / Limiter)
–>
Manley Massive Passive Mastering Edition (Parametric Equalizer)
–>
Maselec MPL-2 (Peak & High Frequency Limiter)
–>
Apogee PSX 100 (Analogue to Digital Converter)
–>
Weiss DS1 (Digital De-Esser / Compressor / Limiter)
–>
SADiE (Destination Computer).
The most relevant part about this signal chain is the Maselec MTC-2. It is the heart of the studio. It's essentially a two channel mixer, with multiple insert points. The great thing it is that all of the outboard can be flicked in and out of the signal chain at the touch of a button. It also has high & low cuts, an elliptical filter and stereo width adjustment. It allows me to use the inserts in M/S at the flick of a switch and also to use the Chandler as a 'parallel compressor' - along with all the standard stuff such as being able to monitor in mono, and out of phase etc.
Most importantly is its ability to monitor at any point down the signal chain and at matched gains. When a piece of outboard is inserted into the chain, if it increases the gain by even as little as 0.5 dB then it can give you a very false sense of its actual merit. It is CRITICALLY important to be able to evaluate every eq and compression adjustment at exactly the same level. If it's louder it's going to sound 'better' and that's not necessarily the case.
I would also add that although this is my signal chain that doesn`t mean that EVERYTHING gets pushed through it regardless. There are times when just a little bit of extra gain and a 0.5 dB shelf on the top end will do! The way the desk works means that if the insert points are not switched in then the signal doesn't go through the kit - which is very different to running music through kit in bypass mode. Again, there are times when just a little bit of digital EQ with the Weiss will suffice, so then the audio won't go anywhere near the analogue domain. It is very important to treat each track on its own merit, and not just religiously bang tracks through the same path for the sheer hell of it!
As far as why this chain is better than a load of plugins, that's easy – they sound better. Of course I love all the big buttons & flashing lights, who doesn't, but honest to God, if the plugs sounded better then I would use them. Ultimately, it's about the end result. I would love to hit save on my computer rather than having to note down every setting, I get through an awful lot of notebooks! I do think that plugins are getting very good nowadays and there are certain situations where they are as good if not better - it just depends on what you're trying to achieve with them. Again, ask me the same question in a year or two…
What's the pimpest bit of kit you have?
The room, speakers and amps! They work in conjunction with each other, so I kind of view them as one. Everything else is utterly irrelevant if you can`t hear what your fancy compressor is really doing. Besides, if by 'pimpest' you mean 'most expensive' then they definitely come out on top!
Cheers Kevin!
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Posted by bassmusic
