Plugins For Audio Mastering – follow-up question

[Rob James]

Couple of questions come to mind initially. Which iZotope plugin are you using, Ozone or Trash? I would imagine Ozone, as that is predominantly a Mastering plugin? Do you have access to all individual tracks, and are you mixing in Vegas? Or mixing in a DAW and syncing up to the audio, on the video in Vegas? I ask because all these factors have a bearing on process. Personally, I don’t like Ozone as I find it colours the mix too much, I prefer other plugins in my Mastering Chain. It’s all subjective and down to personal taste. If you do have access to all of the indivudal instruments (recorded to their own tracks) and your goal is to reproduce the force of the performance, I’d re-mix it, until it sounds just awesome! If on the other hand you only have mix-downs to work with, I’d use the board mix, and Master that one to give it some ummph!! Then sync that up to the camera audio, and mute the camera audio, once it’s synced. You should get a kick ass sound. As far as where to start with Ozone, go through all the presets until you find one that makes your mix pop, then tweak that one to taste. Though I wouldn’t recommend that plugin for Mastering. Experment….

Rob,
https://www.robjames.net/

[John Rofrano]

> Using the iZotope plug-in, or standard Sony Vegas 8 assortment, what is a good setting(s) starting point? Which presets? Etc.

For iZotope Ozone 3 I would start with either Rock Master 4 Band With Excitation, Eq And Widening or CD Master With Excitation And Widener. But I would open the presets and select each one of the Mastering presets while the music is playing and see what sounds closest to what you are looking for. Obviously some of the presets are for drums, piano and other solo instruments. Select the one that’s the closet to what you want and then tweak to taste.

~jr

http://www.johnrofrano.com
http://www.vasst.com

[Russell Robertson]

Rob, John,

Thank you both very much for all your comments, suggestions and direction.

I’m using Ozone 3 – but this is my first true go at it. I have individual camera audio links (used to sync up, but will mute in final mix), and a separate board mix, house mix, and combination house/board mix. No individual instruments or vocal tracks. All the tracks are now sync’ed up – the only control type device I have is, other than a mouse is a Shuttle Pro (I’m always looking for a 1st gen, 2nd hand Mackie Controller)

In addition to a stereo render, I’d like to have a go at a 5.1 render. Perhaps use more of the house mix in the rear, the board upfront and something that punches the vocals in the front/center. Which plug-in/preset would be best to bring out the vocals? I’ll certainly experiment, but was wondering if anyone had a personal preference when looking for this outcome.

Many thanks again – RR