Mastering with FabFilter Plug-Ins Explained

Studio wiz Larry Holcombe presents comprehensive FabFilter mastering video tutorials! See and hear how to master tracks in 3 different genres (Electronic, Pop and Country) with only FabFilter plug-ins, from start to finish. You also get the pre-mastered audio track files and reference track files used for Match EQ, so you can import them into your DAW session and follow along with Larry as he shows you how to master using FabFilter's powerful tools. These video tutorials are designed for those who are new to mastering with FabFilter plug-ins.

Videos

• Musical Balancing with Pro-Q3 (14:33) - In this first video, we take a country track and use a combination of high and low cut and tilt shelving to improve the balance of the track.

• Dynamic EQ (14:11) - Next up we'll employ a technique known as feathering which involves creating little boosts and cuts to again enhance the balance of the frequency spectrum. We then continue on to fix balance problems using the dynamic EQ feature of Pro-Q3.

• Match EQ, Mid/Side & L/R Split (10:42) - Here we cover the Mid/Side and L/R split functionality which allows you to address a variety of mix issues in mastering. You'll also explore the Match EQ function to impart another track's frequency spectrum onto your pre-master.

• Saturation for Balancing the Frequency Spectrum (09:04) - In this video, see how to use the amazing Saturn 2 to re-balance an electronic track and even out its mix and maximize the track's impact.

• Advanced Saturation Techniques (06:05) - Next up watch how to utilize Saturn 2 in Mid/Side mode to hype up the stereo width of our electronic track.

• Groove Compression with Pro-C2 (13:41) - Now explore how to add extra groove and front to back perspective with Pro-C2. First we'll calculate our BPM and then use the app Music Math to give us beat divisions in milliseconds, which then allows us to enter in musical release times.

• Advanced Compression Concepts with Pro-C2 (13:43) - Next up we apply peak limiting and low level smoothing compression to a pre-master to investigate how these techniques affect our track sonically.

• Parallel Compression for Hype (09:55) - In this video, we'll hype up the high frequencies with Saturn 2, Pro-C2 and Pro Q3 in parallel, so we can leave our original sound unaffected, whilst enhancing the high frequencies.

• Multiband Compression & Expansion with Pro-MB (08:10) - Next up, watch how to use Multi Band Compression and Expansion in Pro-MB to salvage a pre-master with problems in the low and mid range frequencies.

• Limiting with Pro-L2 (09:50) - In this video, see how to use the amazing Pro-L2 to safely bring the pre-master up to the required volume level. We explain using different styles, lookahead settings, and release envelopes to balance transparency vs aggression.

• Mastering the Electronic Track Pt. 1 (13:42) - To first start on the electronic track we'll add a balancing EQ curve, saturation and compression to balance and hype up the track, getting it ready for the final limiting which we'll apply next.

• Mastering the Electronic Track Pt. 2 (07:12) - Next up we'll add some parallel compression to make the track a bit fatter, and then employ 2 limiters in tandem to maximize the loudness potential of the track.

• Mastering the Country Track (10:42) - Watch how to master the country track from start to finish.

• Mastering the Pop Track (13:38) - In this final video, we complete a full mastering of our pop track using the FabFilter suite and all that you've learned throughout the videos!