Recording
artists,
producers, and engineers alike want
their sound to meet or exceed Grammy-winning quality. Separation
Mastering can significantly improve your sound while retaining the full
integrity of your stereo mix. A powerful addition to all other
mastering techniques, this format increases the sonic benefits
available to your project. Whether it's used for slight
refinements (just as in traditional mastering) or dramatic sound
reshaping, Separation Mastering offers the best of both worlds.
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Separations - The Format
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Separations are easy
- no added equipment or
plug-ins are necessary! You can benefit by creating from 2 to 8
Separations. Here's an example of 4
Separations,.
Start
by making a folder on your hard drive and label it with the name of the
song you're working on [Your Song].
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1)
Simply record your normally completed 24 bit stereo mix. Name
the file [Your Song] Mix.aif (or .wav, SDII, etc.) and put it into the
[Your Song] folder (no brackets needed!). The stereo mix is an
important part of the Separation Mastering process.
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Then without
changing
any
level, any plug-ins,
automation or
anything else -
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2)
Simply mute (or disable) all tracks except the drums. Record the drums-only portion of your mix
to a
separate 24 bit stereo file (with all drum-related reverbs and
effects). Name the file [Your Song] Drums.aif (or wav, SDII,
etc.) and put it into the same [Your Song] folder as your stereo mix
file.
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3)
Mute (or disable) all tracks but the bass. Record the bass-only
portion of your mix separately (in 24 bit stereo with all related bass
effects). Name the file [Your Song] Bass.aif (or wav, SDII, etc.) and
put it into the same folder. Keep it in stereo even if it's a
mono bass track.
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4)
Mute (or disable) all tracks but the remaining instruments.
Record the instruments portion in 24 bit stereo separately with all
related effects. Name the file [Your Song] Instr.aif (or wav,
SDII, etc.) and put it into the same folder.
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5)
Mute all tracks but the vocals. Record the
vocals portion
separately (24 bit stereo with effects). Name the file [Your
Song] Vocals.aif (or wav, SDII, etc.) and put it into the same folder.
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You have now recorded
five
files including four
Separations into the
[Your Song] folder.
Hint: If you
know your song order, number the folders "01 [Your Song]"; "02 [Your second song]"; "03 [Your third song]" etc. (but
with no quotes).
Important!
Be SURE you leave
your computer automation ON for each Separation so that every sonic
move you make in your stereo mix is retained in the Separations.
In cases where you can't change your mutes (because of the automation),
use solos or highlight-select the tracks you are separating.
Some
engineers solo the tracks they are separating - drums, bass, etc.
Use either solos or mutes.
Key: Every element in your mix, every
plug-in, every
automation move, every
musical component
should go into the Separations so that all together they exactly add up
to the stereo mix.
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Separation Mastering - The Technique
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Separation
Mastering
allows us to
reconstruct your mixdown using the Separations - to enhance separate
elements - without compromising other elements within your mix! It's
more precise than applying traditional program equalizers and
compressors to a complex locked-down 2-channel waveform. Separations do
what multiband compressors DREAM they could do!
Separations
give you the flexibility to open up the sound and improve
the transients and dimension. Each layer can be made to have more
articulation and musicality than a standard stereo format. We listen to
your 2-track mix and A/B compare it with your
Separations to
ensure that the intentions of your original mix are honored. We
use non-destructive,
totally recallable mastering
enhancements that enable us to
produce everything from light sonic retouching all the way to an
astounding - practically transformed
final master for you.
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Separations
are better because they:
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• Eliminate the need for alternate
mixes - gives you more creative control
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• Produce a more musically
pleasing, more transparent 3-D sound
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• Restore elements that can be
lost when "slamming" levels are desired
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• Resolves mixing debates, eases
studio deadlines and creative burnout
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• Practically eliminates
compromises associated with traditional mastering
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• Maximizes the benefits of ideal
acoustics and expert mastering engineering
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• Can give you the sound of analog
summing in the mastering room
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"Artists and producers
should not be afraid of Separation Mastering, since mastering is a
non-destructive process. In the hands of a competent mastering
engineer, it can deliver much better results than the typical two
channel mastering process."
- Grammy winning engineer, Erik
Zobler (Dianne Reeves, George Duke,
Anita Baker, Natalie Cole, etc.)
"Mastering with Separations
made a huge difference. The clarity, punch, and definition is amazing.
You allowed me to concentrate on making music while you made my mixes
sound world-class."
- Joe DiBlazi, renowned guitarist, producer, LA, California
"Separations simply BLEW THE
ORIGINALS AWAY! Absolutely no comparison! I sat here open mouth
listening back and forth with amazement all over my face! Sure, I
thought there would be some difference, but I was astounded."
- Caleb Magnino - Engedi - Bakersfield, California
"Separation Mastering is
simply amazing. It's definitely the wave of the future and cuts across
current musical boundaries. Don't hesitate to take a plunge into this
new dimension of mastering."
- The
Artist Grace - O.C. California
"Separations is quite a
'jaw-dropping' thing to hear. I'll never have anything mastered another
way."
- Scott Menefee - Copperdown
- Texas
"This format makes
so much sense for
Indy artists who want the best competitive edge."
- Laurie Morvan,
The Laurie Morvan Band
- Award-winning blues rock recording artist
"Separations made a
huge difference in our final product. John Vestman has a great
'ear' and made the process personal and exciting."
- Stayce Roberts, Smalltown/Hit City Records
"Separation Mastering provides
the widest latitude possible for perfecting the master. Our master
sounds dramatically fuller, richer, more polished and lush. We didn't
know this stellar sound quality was even possible."
- Robert and Maria Veloso, "Midwinter
Turns to Spring"
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Separations
are different than "stems." Here's why...
Do not think of
Separations as remixing
- however...
• If the record company
wants
some last minute edits or level adjustments, you're ready to go.
• If you've mixed for
months
and you still feel the blend can be better, refinements can be made.
• If you can't sort out
certain balance issues or low-end problems, more precise
control
is here.
• Communication lets us
know your preferences and
references makes the difference!
Hesitant to
try Separations? Time doesn't allow
Separations right now?
Key: Since we
have used this method since 2005, we are very aware of how different
processing and "out of the box" ideas work for traditional 2-Track
mastering. Try us for your
stereo mixes - your CD
will sound amazing because we've worked
harder to achieve sound that's beyond normal mastering
applications. Contact
us....
or keep reading...
Want to try
Separation Mastering? Upload
files now for a free, no-obligation demo!
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The
simplest form of Separations is just to make
(1) The Stereo Mix
(2) An all-instruments mix
with effects and verbs
(3) An all-vocals mix with
effects and verbs
The 2nd easiest form of Separations is
(1) The Stereo Mix
(2) Separated drums mix - in
stereo with effects
(3) All other instruments mix
in stereo with verbs or effects
(4) All vocalsmix in stereo
with reverbs, effects
Bonus: Now you've archived an
instrumental mix for later. |

Separation Mastering feature
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Separation Mastering
Article
2006 EQ Magazine
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Check out Mitch Gallagher's
book, Mastering Music at Home
featuring
extensive interviews with John Vestman and Don Sundstrom
Save time and money:
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It's
best to submit
24
bitstereo
files. Even if
your system is 16 bit, make 24 bit Separation files.
•
Do NOT
change the
sampling rate
from the original
mix session! If your
system is 48k, make 48k-24 bit files.
If
your system is 44.1k,
make 44.1k-24 bit files, etc.
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Bringing
in a hard drive with your
Separation folders is fine, and we recommend also bringing either DVD-Rs
(DVDminusR...
not
DVD+R) or
CDRs as well.
•It
you
use CDRs, one song per CDR is helpful (and
be sure to write the artist name on every CDR or DVD
prior to burning
the disc).
Note on
loud rock projects:
We HIGHLY
recommend that you separate your drums into two Separations: [Your
Song] Drums.aif and [Your Song] OHs.aif (overheads). Your
Overhead Separation should include ALL hi hats and cymbals that you have
blended in your mix. The Drum Separation should be ONLY drums.
We encounter
more issues with cymbals than any other drum-related sound. This
recommendation makes an amazing difference in the sound and it can save
money and time needed to process drums. (P.S. For a bigger
drum sound, have the drummer hit the cymbals softer...)
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Want to try
Separation Mastering?
Upload files now for a free,
no-obligation demo!
Email us for more answers to
your questions.
(Please put the word
"Separations" in the subject line)
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John
Vestman and Don Sundstrom colaborated
on defining Separation
Mastering. Check
more of Don's info on Separations
and career consultation.
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