What's in your Mastering chain?

[jimcolossus]

I've been recording rough mixes of demo's for well over a year and it's time I start finishing some of them up and I'm taking a stab at mastering them. I haven't gotten anything final, but so far I've been playing around with

Logic Channel EQ
Rocket Compressor (Stillwell)
Logic Limiter

I'm not sure what else to play around with, I've heard some people use exciters and stereo spreaders in their chain, but I don't know how necessary that is.

What do you guys like to run for your mastering chain?

 

[KingAenarion]

Don't use a Channel EQ... use a Linear Phase EQ for mastering, as they offer control over the Frequency spectrum without colouring the sound too much.

Stereo spreaders can be useful in some mixes. They tend to use the Haas effect to make things wider. I tend to feel they can ruin some more organic mixes if uses incorrectly.


I tend to be of the school that the less the mastering Engineer has to do, the better. Get a great mix...

Use Linear Phase EQ's to give different songs similar tonal characteristics.

Use subtle compression of a max -2dB or so.

Brickwall limit if necessary to control the volume.

 

[AeternusEternus]

just a limiter

 

[jimcolossus]

I'll definitely look into using a different eq, I appreciate the responses!

 

[kostein]

I only use a compressor and a limiter and some EQ if need be.