Drew
Forum MVP
Only suggestion I can make is a "reference" mix is just as important while mastering as it is while mixing. Then, just use something you know isn't over-compressed.
Often (given my genre), I'll use Satriani's "The Extremist" album, generally "Friends" because it's a great track, and because it just happens to be first.![Big Grin :D :D](data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7)
When I (eventually) come to the point where it's time to have my CD mastered, I'm going to hire a pro to do it, but I'm also going to make it explicitly clear that I don't want it mastered as hot as possible, and that I'm looking for a more conservative master that'll preserve dynamics.
Often (given my genre), I'll use Satriani's "The Extremist" album, generally "Friends" because it's a great track, and because it just happens to be first.
When I (eventually) come to the point where it's time to have my CD mastered, I'm going to hire a pro to do it, but I'm also going to make it explicitly clear that I don't want it mastered as hot as possible, and that I'm looking for a more conservative master that'll preserve dynamics.