Next, the Stereo section offers the same 5 bands from 20 Hz up to 22 kHz. Remember, this is only affecting the middle of the mix. I'll typically push up a touch of bass (around 100 Hz and cut some frequencies below 10kHz (for a smooth sound). It offers five tweakable bands from 20 Hz to 22 kHz. This lets you work on tweaking the area of the vocal, bass, kick and snare. On the left is the Mono section, where you work on the middle of the mix.

First, it offers the ability to separately EQ the sides and middle of your mix (called M/S processing). There are a few cool features that make it special for buss use. 4 - EQįor Master Buss EQ, I turn to the Brainworx bx_digital V2. You can push it up even to 125% without it being offensive, but with this-just a dab will do you right. By pushing it up just a bit above 20%, it adds a harmonic enhancement to the mix that is best described as 'air'. My favorite tool on the Oxford Limiter is the Enhance fader. I'll always pull down the Output Level Fader to just below 0 dB, so that it doesn't clip. The Input Gain allows you to add up to +18 dB of gain to the overall mix. I'll apply it as the last insert on my Master Fader, and by pushing up just a few faders, it gives me both punch and clarity. One of my favorite Limiting tools is the Sonnox Oxford Limiter. Here are a few Master Fader choices that make it onto just about every mix I do. That way, they are ready to go when called upon, and I can tweak the mix with tools I'm quite familiar with. I tend to have a go-to selection of plug-ins for the Master Fader that I import in to just about every session I do. Is it too dry overall? Go for a little reverb (but be careful applying master reverb!). How about something to 'glue' everything together? A nice buss compressor can help. Does it need some crispness on the top? Call up a good EQ. Do you want it to be just a bit louder? Try a limiter. The variety of plug-ins you choose to apply to the Master Fader depends on what you want to get out of the final product. You can always push it later after you've dialed in the various plug-ins first.

When applying processing on the Master Fader, go easy at first. Be careful not to overdo it to the point where the music sounds compressed, crunched and unnatural. Loud mixes can be nice, but I've heard far too many that actually sound like crap because someone put too much procession on the master fader. While everyone wants to make their mix louder, it's important not to push it to the point of distortion.

Pro tools stereo master fader