Hi everyone, I’m currently training myself to master songs. I train my ears every day using SoundGym, and I master with Ollo headphones. However, when I’m mastering, it usually takes me around 2–3 hours to finish a mix and get it to sound right. I’ve read online that a mastering session should last no more than 30–90 minutes, which makes me wonder if I’m doing something wrong. My workflow is: 1. Find a reference track 2. Level-match the reference with the mix and compare 3. Apply compression if needed 4. Use EQ to solve problems and fix any inconsistencies 5. Apply the final limiter The issue is that after exporting the final master, I listen to it through my laptop speakers and compare it with other songs. Then I notice new problems, such as a lack of punch or low end. I go back to the mastering session, try to fix these issues, export again, and repeat the process by listening on different devices and comparing to other profesionally master songs . Sometimes I have to do this three or four times before the master sounds good. So my question is: how did you break this habit and become more efficient at mastering?

I am curious to find out what DAWs are being used. More importantly, does the DAW matter more than the skill put into using it? I personally use Cakewalk.

I have an old original uno synth that i'd like to play around with but I can't get a decent signal from it. Cabling types are my enemy here, I think, maybe. The uno's out is 1/8 phones like it thinks its a walkman. I want it to go through a kaoss fx module, which uses rca. sigh. Straight into the yamaha mixer (via 1/4") and its too quiet. no problem, I think, crank the gain. Hum galore. ok, there's a bbe 282 maximizer available, maybe use that (1/4" patch i/o), then to the mixer (same 1/4" in). nooo.. now I can turn off the gain but I get clipping. eew. no. it has no volume or gain to adjust. the clipping sounds digital too, which doesn't make sense. I now just tried the second to last option. a behringer fx 2000; its got a compressor-maximizer preset. this is the best i've gotten but the noise is probably only reduced by a third this way. The very last option is an old art tube pre. I don't like this option because its... busy already. Somebody please tell me using a headphone amp is the dumbest thing in the world before I try it;p All this should be signal level but I'm getting noise going from phones to anything. I even have an 1/8" phones to xlr to go straight to the yamaha, eliminating any rca in the path. This isn't much better either. Any thoughts? Options, to review: Uno Synth, 1/8 out behringer fx2000 multi fx, 1/4 and xlr i/o bbe 282iq, 1/4 i/o korg kaoss fx, rca i/o art dps II preamp, 1/4 and xlr yamaha 12xu, xlr, 1/4, rca

Hi just hoping to get feedback on this mix. I’m not sure if I should mention some of the aspects about it so I’ll talk about that after you can hear where it is now. Many thanks in advance

Hey guys, I got an email saying it is from Spirit Music Group and a song of mine has been selected for a Netflix feature film. I first felt it was a scam however I submitted a brief questionaire which didn't ask any questions I felt could be used to scam me. Tonight I received a contract which looks legit however under one section titled "Administration Fee" it states "to secure and facilitate the guaranteed placement the artist agrees to pay a one-time, upfront, fully refundable administration fee". Is this a common practice? Unfortunately the Spirit Music Group website has no contact submission or I would ask them directly. Thanks in advance for any thoughts on this.