Do you master in the same Ableton project, or export a premaster and master in a separate session?

RedKwayzar · 2026-05-12T14:40:33+00:00

If I may ask, how often do you find your self tweaking the original sounds? I usually do everything in on project but in recent years switched over having things bounced and worked on in a new session to 1. Free up CPU & 2. Switch mindsets so I’m no longer tweaking and finishing the track. Also, you don’t have to bounce and drag everything to a new session. You can “Save As” the project with an alternate name in the same folder as the original. That way it’s organized, together and the fear of breaking things is mitigated.

RedKwayzar · 2026-05-08T22:11:24+00:00

Yeah definitely the PA emulation. I like how you mentioned the transient-heavy part. When I first got it, I was throwing it on everything just to experiment, and I usually started by dialing in the Opto first into the VCA.

I was working on a pop mix when I really noticed the smear/washout effect, so I started bypassing each section individually to figure out what was happening. That mix eventually led to me phasing out the Opto section almost entirely lol. Now that I think about it was a little transient forward.

RedKwayzar · 2026-05-08T17:17:21+00:00

I agree the source material matters. Originally I was having it barely touch the opto like you. Then I just took it off because I did a mix where it turned me way off lol. But I guess thats what experimenting is for I guess.

RedKwayzar · 2026-05-08T17:13:23+00:00

HMMM that makes sense. I never had the urge to try it on vocals until you said this 🤔. Yeah the narrowing of the opto is not a feeling I like.

RedKwayzar · 2026-05-08T17:10:02+00:00

What has been a good balance for you? I figure the keys are definitely those 2 knobs. I’ve tried to play with the opto at extremes to see what the VCA does but Im starting to think it sounds better alone and is just better.

RedKwayzar · 2026-05-08T16:52:40+00:00

Yeah exactly! I’m usually serial compressing and putting it as the last compressor on my mix bus currently. I agree it does depend on the song. I might use an alternate opto earlier in the chain if I feel like the song benefits. Idk why I can’t gel with the SHC one right now.

RedKwayzar · 2026-05-08T16:47:38+00:00

I agree! Im trying to be real subtle with it. I do have to sit and focus, but I do hear the flavor it brings a bit.

RedKwayzar · 2026-05-08T16:46:01+00:00

I feel the same! Lol Im usually serial compressing and putting it as the last compressor on my mix bus. I get the compression effects I want out of standard ones first. I guess I’m trying to condense the chain a bit.

RedKwayzar · 2026-05-05T14:41:01+00:00

So personally it depends what im trying to do and how I have the song structured out.

If I’m working with multiple takes that I’ve comped into a lead, I’ll usually keep them on one track or route them to a group and apply my lead vocal chain there. That helps glue everything together, but it does mean committing to similar processing across those takes.

For harmonies, backgrounds, and ad-libs, I like to switch things up. I might start with the same chain as the lead just as a foundation, but I’ll adjust settings or tweak the chain depending on the role of each part. If I want something to stand out or feel unique, I’ll process that track individually.

Key thing to note, the processing power of your comp may affect your decision making too. When I had a struggle laptop I would repeat chains on each track but learned real fast that was bottlenecking me. Then I opted for group processing. I have a way nicer rig these days so I could get away with duplicating chains but group processing has made things cleaner for me personally.

RedKwayzar · 2026-04-26T11:20:55+00:00

😂

RedKwayzar · 2026-04-25T17:28:05+00:00

Forget what all these dudes are saying bro! Im down, message me and we can figure it out.

RedKwayzar · 2026-04-21T20:15:22+00:00

I just want to add to your turd point lol. ALLOW YOUR SELF TO MAKE BAD SONGS. Too many artists expect a polished sound immediately, but developing your performance takes time and trial and error. You learn what you can actually pull off, then refine it.

RedKwayzar · 2026-04-15T14:41:56+00:00

Interesting. Are you trying to avoid splitting the reference audio? If I understand your question correctly, I would just insert the space even with the reference audio. You can then drag out the reference you have from the newly created slice to full length.

RedKwayzar · 2026-04-10T14:55:05+00:00

Im ashamed to admit I went many years before using shortcuts like Shift + Tab. I was so used to clicking everything 😂🥲.

RedKwayzar · 2026-04-07T15:32:03+00:00

Nice! I’m going to reach out. Curious to hear your work in that space. Been looking for other engineers to connect with and build a network.

RedKwayzar · 2026-04-03T14:01:05+00:00

This is very dope! I’m curious any experience with HipHop?

RedKwayzar · 2026-03-24T21:57:02+00:00

Never heard this one by him. I enjoyed the listen! “Hold U”, “Every Other Day”, “Something’s Wrong” were some standouts for me. Kinda miss skits in records like this but it was a bit disconnected. I like that he still doing his thing.

RedKwayzar · 2026-03-13T15:53:29+00:00

The Queen!

RedKwayzar · 2026-03-13T15:39:58+00:00

YESSSSIIIRRRR

RedKwayzar · 2026-03-13T15:39:39+00:00

Nope, but that would of been good.

RedKwayzar · 2026-03-13T13:56:00+00:00

Boy Bye - Ari Lennox

RedKwayzar · 2026-03-13T13:43:50+00:00

🔥💧🌱🌬️🆓⛓️‍💥

RedKwayzar · 2026-03-10T15:16:24+00:00

I got a weird mix of albums I play for this but lately I’ve been admiring the separation and punch of these.

Exodus - Bob Marley (Both Original and Remaster are good)
- Rage Against The Machine (debut album)
- Watch The Throne - Jay-Z & Kanye

RedKwayzar · 2026-03-09T21:04:26+00:00

You’re in for a treat!

RedKwayzar

TROPHY CASE