Mastering Ideas? Options

[kundama]

hi all new to the forum so i thought i'd start with an easy one :-)

i've been writing tunes for a while now, and always get to the same stage in the prossess before encountering problems...Mastering.

getting the compositional elements right isn't a problem (well it is it just takes a lot of time but when i come to bouncing down my tunes and compare them to oh i don't know some one like prefuse 73, the quality of sound is different. They always seem to be able to get it that little bit louder than me. Obviously they've got all that fancy equipment, but i'm sure it's just a question of time again, and knowing the right steps to take.

at the moment when bouncing down i simply make sure all the volumes are right, nothing is clipping, the panning is nicely spread and there is't too much frequency intrerferance, (everything has its own space) idon't use any compression, or effects, (just a bit of limiter) because i want to keep the dynamic range. iwas wondering if anyone had any tips for me, coz iwant to put up a websight with all mi tunes on , but none of them really feel finnished, ya know.

wicked well if any one has any tips let me know
thaks for your time

take it easy
kundy

[Nels]

I'd like to jump in here, if I may. This is a great topic, ...MASTERING

I've been trying to get a good master just within Digital Performer's Master Works Limiter, Master Works Compressor, the 2-4-8 band EQ. I also have Yamaha's Final master plug in that I'm dabbling in...........

So, the question that I'm sure many would want to clear up once and for all is, ..IS IT A BETTER IDEA TO JUST GET WAVES L3, T-RACK, iZotope's Ozone Mastering System, ETC.? Do they really make that much of a difference?

Or is getting a good master with your sequencers bundled plug ins doable?

Thanks guys