I don’t know diddly about post production. On the Sing Hallelujah CD I barely got the frequency levels under control so people would totally lose their hearing. I didn’t have the money to pay for post production and mastering so, I did the best I could.
Post production is an art form in itself. After you go to the studio or, record your tracks at home, or whatever, you mix them down to stereo tracks. I used to think that was all there was – start burning CDs. Well, I found out that wasn’t true with the first CD I produced. It was called Love Revolution. At the time I mixed it I thought it sounded really good. So, I had CDs made. Spent a lot of money doing it too. When I compared it to the sound of other CD’s it was seriously lacking that dynamic punch other commercial CDs have. I was quite disappointed. And then after a while I realized that most of the songs really weren’t that good anyway, but, that’s another article.
Since that time (1998), I have learned a little more about mixing and using compressors and limiters (with the ear that is). You don’t really need a lot of limiting or compressing if you have mixed your song properly. In a previous article I talked about some mixing principles I try to follow when I am working. I mentioned clarity and presence of the drum track. And I think the most important thing is to not have the vocals buried, even if they suck. I mix until I can hear every part clearly and in the context that it should be. What does that mean? Some parts being played in a song belong in the background. Some belong up front. Something you may hear may make you want to shake your groove thang when you hear it, but, if it is not the lead or the most important thing happening it should be in the background.
I have learned that if I get my mix right then I can produce a decent CD. I’m not saying that I can create a proper sounding master or, that I can even come close to it. I mean I can produce a CD with decent levels, hot but, not too hot or noisy. As I said post production is an art form. There are studios where the only kind of work they do is post production. They take what you have done in the studio and polish it. Sometimes a great post production studio can even polish a turd.
I don’t know where I can learn this art. I think I could become really good at it so, I am researching. I don’t know what schools are the best. Although, there is a school here in Florida called Full Sail that offers post production among other things. One day I play to go down and investigate and perhaps get a tour of the facilities. Maybe I’ll take a couple of my recording down and see what they can do with it. If I like what I hear I will definitely want to know more. Maybe I can learn it on my own but, I’d rather have help.
Feel free to have a listen to the songs I have posted from Sing Hallelujah. Order a CD. Nothing make an artist happier than other enjoying their work.
