Question about end-of-mix effects

[MikeShapiro]

Hi list,

 

Do these two processes yield identical results?

 

1) Bouncing a mix, with a mastering compression as the final plugin on Output 1-2

 

2) Bouncing the same mix to stereo with the compression muted, loading the mixed stereo file into a Logic audio track, and re-bouncing with the same plugin enabled, but no other processing

 

Seems like they should be identical, but I thought I should ask some gurus. Thanks in advance!

[David Nahmani]

Not exactly the same effects, as if you do it all in the same song file, you're staying in 32 bit floating point, meaning you can be more lenient with your levels. But unless your first mix is really weak, you shouldn't be able to notice any difference, and the workflow of mastering in a brand new song file far outweighs those differences. I always master in a separate logic session file.

[MikeShapiro]

Not exactly the same effects, as if you do it all in the same song file, you're staying in 32 bit floating point, meaning you can be more lenient with your levels. But unless your first mix is really weak, you shouldn't be able to notice any difference, and the workflow of mastering in a brand new song file far outweighs those differences. I always master in a separate logic session file.

 

Thanks, Dave. Out of curiosity, why would there be any difference? Is it because of randomness intentionally built into the effects?

[David Nahmani]

No, what I meant was that if you place your mastering processing plug-ins on the output of the song file, then you are staying in the high definition 32 bit floating point realm.

 

If you bounce the song first, you're mixing it down to 24 bit fixed, losing some resolution, and then opening it in a new song file to master it.

 

But as long as your mixdown to 24 bit has a strong level (and there's no reason not to since you choose at what level you mix down with the Out 1-2 fader), you won't notice the difference in resolution.

[gsilbers]

Not exactly the same effects, as if you do it all in the same song file, you're staying in 32 bit floating point, meaning you can be more lenient with your levels. But unless your first mix is really weak, you shouldn't be able to notice any difference, and the workflow of mastering in a brand new song file far outweighs those differences. I always master in a separate logic session file.

 

i do mastering also in logic and i have a few tricks. what do u use or hows your setup/?

[MikeShapiro]

i do mastering also in logic and i have a few tricks. what do u use or hows your setup/?

 

Still being set up right now, but it looks like I'll be going with the Wave Arts power suite plugins.

[gsilbers]

those are good. i like th emulti dynamics "bright rock mix" preset to start with. and the final plug manual release to 10-20 ms.