Mastering is all about the small touches adding together to make a finished gloss. In this video I explain how I think about about EQ and give you some tips on how you can use it too...any good tips you have let me know :)
People who already know this will say this is standard stuff... But seeing it in action and explained when and why to apply (and not to) is really valuable. Learning so much on this channel!
Note for the uninitiated: applying a low cut (high pass) filter and linear phase by default in mastering might be the way Streaky works, but it's *not* standard/automatic procedure. Losing that lowest octave can definitely matter, to the detriment of a well mixed track. Please EQ by *ear*, not eye.
@@ownedbymykitty270 on pro q, you can set the cut as low as 10-15hz, and it will still be removing some audible stuff unless the slope and q are very high. On a lot of my recent mixes, I'm ending up cutting in the ballpark of 15-20hz with a slope of 48 and q of around 1.
My fav trick to push whole the track foward without changing the sound or level is to cut the high mid then boost the upper low mid and adding presence. All broad Qs.
Cheers Streaky. Some great little reminders in there. The "immediacy" to the sound of that little boost around 1.6kHz is crazy for only 0.5dB. Incremental changes is where it's at.
Also, make a mono EQ-preset for the main mix, and transfer + tweak that preset on your stereo EQ . The mono masterbus mix tells you everything needed for the perfect balance.
Great vid again. Who is disliking these videos tho. Such great info from someone actually in a mastering position for 20 plus years. What's not to like?
Adding, instead of only subtracting and taking away from the essence of the music!!!! Now that's a pro tip! I've thought about this, and now it's confirmed by a pro. I need to subscribe and get these courses.
Always though what is that midrange frequency in the records! 1.7khz! Nice one Streaky! Also Kinda missed the funny "like and subscribe" part in this one!
Hey Streaky. Nice video. Thanks for that. I notice that most of the time you mention "bosting highs" " lifting high end" etc etc. What if you get a digital mix with way too much cymbals, hihats , high end energy in general ? Would be interesting to see your take on this i.e the opposite of what you do on the high end in this video. Am asking cause i see way more mixes with rather too much high end than with too little nowadays. As if people are going deaf ...
Man this is gold. I've always heard that the pros never add, they always subtract. But I like ur curves philosophy, makes total sense. I guess it depends on whether mixing or mastering too right?
What a fantastic lesson! So well explained and a real help to me. Funny thing is, that I have had more experience with the old school type EQ's! Not so much with recording but with live music setup and didn't even think about using my ears whilst EQing in Logic.......silly ole me eh? Defo gonna check out some plugins as it really is so easy to fall into the trap of pretty picture EQs 😜
Hi Streaky. I was told that I should cut everything greater that 17 to 18K because we can't hear it so all it does is take up head room. If we do cut, there is room for more important frequencies thus allowing the mix to be louder. What say you?
Ok ok 😁. But without analog gear there is definitely a lack pleasing added harmonics. I like a blugin called true iron for transformer sound and recently started using Oxford inflator. 👍
What if you get a mix thats peaking at a high level already, like say -1db. Wouldn't it be cool to use subtractive eq then since I assume you have no need to bring the gain up with the eq?
Streaky if I record a track from vinyl and want to use it for DJing or just general production, can I follow the same mastering advice in this video to make it sound a bit fuller?
@@Streaky_com We used to cut below 40hz for the simple reason that any frequencies in the lower sub-region could literally make the needle jump out of the groove once the vinyl was pressed and sent out to the consumer. It would also cause unnecessary rumble with the stylus. Vintage compressors like the Fairchild were developed to help in this process.
Trouble with your videos streaky , is that the trax you work on are already perfect big studio commercial productions .90% of viewers are nowhere near that situation . I'd love to see you really get your hands dirty with a rougher home made production and then we'll see what you are capable of.
I don't get the additive EQ thing. If you just cut frequencies that seems to cloud the stereo mix, obviously the untouched frequencies are as if you have boosted them, and if there's a difference in level you just adjust the output gain of the EQ, as you should anyway for A/Bing purposes, since we know the Fletcher Munson curve is working against us. Also it doesn't mean you have to "smash your limiter" then, because your brickwall limiter will cut more peaks if you send it more signal anyway, so it's exactly the same in the end. No offense here, but this video seems to encourage the substractive VS additive EQ debate which is long proven to be irrelevant. In the end, it's just a matter of taste and workflow. Thanks anyway, I quite like your content actually ! And I'm just a French dude mixing for a couple years so who cares what I think ! :')
Boosting and cutting in the real world doesn't equal the same results. If you want more of something boost it, getting rid of stuff is fine but it doesn't achieve the same result as just boosting what you want. The advice Cutting instead of boosting everything is the worst thing I ever learned. There is a place for both. End of the day if there's something that's overpowering get rid of it by cutting, I'd there's something you want more boost it, they are not doing the same thing not to mention alot of eq's(analog typically) do not have the same curves for boosting and cutting so the inverse theory and using gain stage to compensate won't work.
@@Seany06 In the video Streaky said that boosting the frequencies you like was as if you subtracted frequencies you don't like, except you get a boost in volume. It's technically true if you have the exact same curves for boosting and cutting (meaning the overall shape of the EQ would be the same). My comment was about all this being a workflow thing. Except if you're using a passive EQ (which is substractive only), you'll get the same phase rotation effect either boosting or cutting. Of course if you get into EQ curves like the morphing Q on API EQs, you'll get different results boosting or cutting. but this is dependent of the very unit you're EQ with.
Mastering is all about the small touches adding together to make a finished gloss. In this video I explain how I think about about EQ and give you some tips on how you can use it too...any good tips you have let me know :)
exactly! that's why I sent you all my tracks for your ingenious mastering expertise ;)
People who already know this will say this is standard stuff... But seeing it in action and explained when and why to apply (and not to) is really valuable. Learning so much on this channel!
The part about why additive EQ is preferred in mastering makes so much sense. This series is so valuable.
Note for the uninitiated: applying a low cut (high pass) filter and linear phase by default in mastering might be the way Streaky works, but it's *not* standard/automatic procedure. Losing that lowest octave can definitely matter, to the detriment of a well mixed track.
Please EQ by *ear*, not eye.
I’ve made this mistake cutting around 25-35 Hz but Streaky often cuts around 12-20 Hz with a bump so it usually sounds tighter.
@@ownedbymykitty270 on pro q, you can set the cut as low as 10-15hz, and it will still be removing some audible stuff unless the slope and q are very high.
On a lot of my recent mixes, I'm ending up cutting in the ballpark of 15-20hz with a slope of 48 and q of around 1.
My fav trick to push whole the track foward without changing the sound or level is to cut the high mid then boost the upper low mid and adding presence. All broad Qs.
You continue to drop nuggets of pure gold... Great stuff Streaky!
Cheers Streaky. Some great little reminders in there. The "immediacy" to the sound of that little boost around 1.6kHz is crazy for only 0.5dB. Incremental changes is where it's at.
Also, make a mono EQ-preset for the main mix, and transfer + tweak that preset on your stereo EQ . The mono masterbus mix tells you everything needed for the perfect balance.
Great vid again. Who is disliking these videos tho. Such great info from someone actually in a mastering position for 20 plus years. What's not to like?
My thoughts exactly...somebody always dislikes on upload...weirdos!
Adding, instead of only subtracting and taking away from the essence of the music!!!! Now that's a pro tip! I've thought about this, and now it's confirmed by a pro. I need to subscribe and get these courses.
Mate, you're a don. I love the informational approach as in "This is what a mastering engineer would actually do" Keep it up
I'm ever so greatful for your work, Streaky! Thank you!
Ok, truth about mastering eq is to boost almost the whole band so your limiter won't have to, learned a lot
YOUR THE GOAT MAN ! you should do the next video on multiband compression during mastering !
Thanks for the 1.7 .5 boost tip it's gold for perceived loudness love x
Great class...Thank you!
Always though what is that midrange frequency in the records! 1.7khz! Nice one Streaky! Also Kinda missed the funny "like and subscribe" part in this one!
Love these videos
Hi Streaky , thanks 🙏 for the video. I wish I had a question , but you explained to well. No question for now. Have a nice weekend. Cheers 🍻.
Always dope tutorials bro ! Greetings from Greece ! 🙂 🙌
much thanks for sharing your knowledge.
Very helpful ta! Could you do one showing your mastering plugin chain? Thanks 🙏🏼
Hey Streaky. Nice video. Thanks for that. I notice that most of the time you mention "bosting highs" " lifting high end" etc etc. What if you get a digital mix with way too much cymbals, hihats , high end energy in general ? Would be interesting to see your take on this i.e the opposite of what you do on the high end in this video. Am asking cause i see way more mixes with rather too much high end than with too little nowadays. As if people are going deaf ...
Quick and "easy", thank you streaky!
Man this is gold. I've always heard that the pros never add, they always subtract. But I like ur curves philosophy, makes total sense. I guess it depends on whether mixing or mastering too right?
Thank you. Very helpful.
God Bless…
Adam👍☝️
Another great and useful tip
What a fantastic lesson! So well explained and a real help to me. Funny thing is, that I have had more experience with the old school type EQ's! Not so much with recording but with live music setup and didn't even think about using my ears whilst EQing in Logic.......silly ole me eh? Defo gonna check out some plugins as it really is so easy to fall into the trap of pretty picture EQs 😜
Hi Streaky. I was told that I should cut everything greater that 17 to 18K because we can't hear it so all it does is take up head room. If we do cut, there is room for more important frequencies thus allowing the mix to be louder. What say you?
I wouldn’t as it can close down the sound...there is more energy in the low end that sucks up the level
Thanks Streaky. How about a video on increasing loudness other than with eq and compression/limiting. Cheers
I guess you just turn it up as they are the only tools I use 😂😂
Ok ok 😁. But without analog gear there is definitely a lack pleasing added harmonics. I like a blugin called true iron for transformer sound and recently started using Oxford inflator. 👍
Ok like Colour plugins yes I use them but not too much...the tape sim stuff is cool
I liked even before watching :)
Nice one Streaky 🕺
What if you get a mix thats peaking at a high level already, like say -1db. Wouldn't it be cool to use subtractive eq then since I assume you have no need to bring the gain up with the eq?
Nice one Streaky, you should put the Pro Q2 analyzer resolution on full, settings at the bottom.
It’s done cheers
@@Streaky_com Cool, just discovered your channel a few weeks ago, i must of watched about 40 of your vids since then!
Streaky if I record a track from vinyl and want to use it for DJing or just general production, can I follow the same mastering advice in this video to make it sound a bit fuller?
Rock on!
Streaky matters.
Can you make a video going over archiving masters for clients and how that works?
Wish you could do some more mastering videos with vocals also =)
Yes subtractive!
wow you taught us to make a curve in an equalizer! I do not understand why some people find this incredible content, we literally learn nothing there.
Basically You are more advanced than them…we are all on different parts of the learning curve 👍
Fab! x
Great video! Can you do a video on mastering for Spotify, iTunes, CD (different output levels needed)? Thanks
I have a few on my channel
Why do you need to cut low end on the stereo bus during mastering if you already made those cuts on the bass, kick, low-low mids etc??
I’m mastering not mixing...I’m listening to the stereo mix nit the individual tracks
@@Streaky_com yes l know. This question was an aside for my understading😊
Killer tip
can you review a model of kali speakers(either the LP series or the IN series) please!!
If they send I will review
Do you always boost at 250 db
Well shit Streaky...
what about other genres? extreme metal let's say. The question is, are these principals or approach the same? Thanks in advance.
Nice.
Why do you need to cut it at 40Hz for vinyl that seems high you lose a lot of detail
45rpm on 7inch to have enough space...depending on length of track...but a lot of vinyl guys do it on stuff with bass to make sure it cuts clean
@@Streaky_com but doesn't the the RIAA Curve address this issue anyway without cutting off at 40?
@@Streaky_com We used to cut below 40hz for the simple reason that any frequencies in the lower sub-region could literally make the needle jump out of the groove once the vinyl was pressed and sent out to the consumer. It would also cause unnecessary rumble with the stylus. Vintage compressors like the Fairchild were developed to help in this process.
Command key??? what's that ..I've never heard of it lol😂😂
Joking?
Trouble with your videos streaky , is that the trax you work on are already perfect big studio commercial productions .90% of viewers are nowhere near that situation . I'd love to see you really get your hands dirty with a rougher home made production and then we'll see what you are capable of.
Hi :) I really like your videos! But why are you yelling at the camera so often? We are audio people, we normally hear quite well.. :D
N R G
I don't get the additive EQ thing.
If you just cut frequencies that seems to cloud the stereo mix, obviously the untouched frequencies are as if you have boosted them, and if there's a difference in level you just adjust the output gain of the EQ, as you should anyway for A/Bing purposes, since we know the Fletcher Munson curve is working against us.
Also it doesn't mean you have to "smash your limiter" then, because your brickwall limiter will cut more peaks if you send it more signal anyway, so it's exactly the same in the end.
No offense here, but this video seems to encourage the substractive VS additive EQ debate which is long proven to be irrelevant. In the end, it's just a matter of taste and workflow.
Thanks anyway, I quite like your content actually ! And I'm just a French dude mixing for a couple years so who cares what I think ! :')
Boosting and cutting in the real world doesn't equal the same results. If you want more of something boost it, getting rid of stuff is fine but it doesn't achieve the same result as just boosting what you want. The advice Cutting instead of boosting everything is the worst thing I ever learned. There is a place for both. End of the day if there's something that's overpowering get rid of it by cutting, I'd there's something you want more boost it, they are not doing the same thing not to mention alot of eq's(analog typically) do not have the same curves for boosting and cutting so the inverse theory and using gain stage to compensate won't work.
Yup, my point exactly.
@@Charlyfromthenuclearcity? Looks like you were saying subtractive and additive eq lead to the same result which isn't true.
@@Seany06 In the video Streaky said that boosting the frequencies you like was as if you subtracted frequencies you don't like, except you get a boost in volume.
It's technically true if you have the exact same curves for boosting and cutting (meaning the overall shape of the EQ would be the same).
My comment was about all this being a workflow thing. Except if you're using a passive EQ (which is substractive only), you'll get the same phase rotation effect either boosting or cutting.
Of course if you get into EQ curves like the morphing Q on API EQs, you'll get different results boosting or cutting. but this is dependent of the very unit you're EQ with.
like 3,4,5 ads man
What’s that ???
@@Streaky_com just the frequency of ads is frustrating but thats what we get for using a free service I guess