Mastering Chain Tips

This pack is produced and updated by Mikas,

https://www.wemakedancemusic.com/marketplace/seller/profile/djmikas

You can ask questions at the bottom of the page.

Universal Mastering Chain

This mastering chain is very flexible, it is very important to start the chain and operate
the summing properly trough the chain.

First, make sure you leave some headroom in your mix, turn off the limiter, and
compressor on your main output, when exporting the track, ideally leaving -6 to -10Db.

The order of the plugins is VERY IMPORTANT we do not recommend changing it. If
you feel some plugins are not needed or did not give the expected results simply disable
them.
1- Waves REQ6

The first element of the mastering chain is the REQ6, this vintage EQ replica really adds
to the frequency range without overly changing the nature of the program. It can be
useful to add "body" and “presence” to the track between 400HZ to 1200Hz.
Our setting is cutting the sub bass frequencies under 25Hz.

A great feature of this unit is the auto-summing button located at the top of the volume
slider. You can let your track play completely and then push the button, it will
automatically set the maximum volume without clipping.

2- Waves C1 SC
This compressor is used to ensure any peaks in the sub frequencies will be under control,
depending on your audio program you can adjust the frequency affected by sliding the
frequency range.

3- Waves L3 Ultramaximizer
Third we have the first stage of limiting, this is used to take off the peaks and slightly
raise the overall volume.

4- Waves LINMb
The linear multi band plugin is they key to a well balanced track, the setting we have
programmed are adjusted to achieve low end punch and mid and high range stability and
smoothness.

You can adjust the master threshold button, you will see the band compressing in the
main window, we recommend having the compression display in the middle of the
affected range at the program peak, again its a matter of taste and some will like less or
more compression at this stage.
Always ensure the main out is not clipping, you can do so by clicking on the trim button
below the main volume slider.

5- Waves Center

This plugin will create stereo width and make the impression of "fuller" sound in the
stereo field, our setting is moderate so it will not affect the stereo field of the program,
feel free to play with the volume of the sides to your liking.
6- Waves PuigChild 670
This is a replica of the legendary Fairchild compressor, used moderately this will add
some substance to the low end and add a nice presence to the overall sound, we
recommend a maximum of 3 to 5 Bd of compression with this unit. Since we are using
multiple compression stages we are using it mainly to add character.

7- Waves SSL G Channel (Optional)

This unit is used for minor adjustments. This unit is well know for the EQ quality, the
bass part is specially useful to add warmth without raising the volume of the overall
program.
It is very important to ensure the input and output of the plugins is not clipping!
 8- Waves L316
Multimaximizer

This plugin will bring maximum

loudness to the program, it is very
important to monitor the low end
when applying the maximizer, this
process can damage the low
frequencies if pushed to far.

The best way to use this plugin is to

lower the threshold and the out
ceiling simultaneously using the
arrow located between the sliders, if
you hear some changes in the
program quality this mean you went
to far.

We recommend a threshold of 2 to
5.

9- Waves SSL Comp (Optional)

This unit is known to “Glue” the track together. The threshold is set very high to
compensate the late mastering stage.

10- Waves L2 Ultramaximizer (Optional)

This unit is there to control the SSL Comp output in case of overload
11- Dorrough loudness meter (Optional)

This unit is very useful to visually monitor the loudness level of the program.