Hi

I've been using Logic Express for a little while now, and although I get really nice results, I find my mixes are way too flat and dull.
I read somewhere on this forum that Logic isn't particularly meant for mixing and mastering, and that I need some software to do that job.

What would that software be ?
Is it Sound Forge or WaveLabs ?
If so, what process should I put my song through in order to get a more brilliant sound ?
And should I put in my whole bounce or one track or instrument at a time ?

Thanx

I added the suite of plugs from Elemental Audio for demo mastering, not to be confused with mastering for a commercial release. That is a process best left to professionals if you are serious about your sound.

http://www.elementalaudio.com

Mastering is done with a stereo mix.

Even though you may be able to use Sound Forge or Wavelabe under Boot Camp be aware you will need another software app to allow windows to read a Mac disk.

Logic is fine for mixing! If your mixes are dull and flat, it's not the softwares fault. You can master in Logic as well... it comes with everything you need...the only minus being that the multipressor is only presets in Express. But, if your mixing isn't up to snuff, you really don't need to be mastering. Read up on the basic, unexciting tools: EQ, Compression, Gating. You should be able to get a mix jumping with just those. Good mixes come from knowledgable application of the basics and your ears, not from a particular piece of software.

Good luck and have fun!

Yeah, what he said. There's simply no substitute for practice and experience. Sorry, but it takes time. No shortcuts. No "magic mix bullet" software.

If you went out and bought some "mastering" software, that doesn't mean you'll be able to use it any better than Logic's existing plug-in collection.

Yes, there are tons of great plug-ins around for mixing and mastering, but the mix should sound pretty amazing BEFORE the mastering stage. I do mastering work for other bands and it's much better for all concerned if the mix sounds good on its own, even before I get to work.

A really good collection of mastering plug-ins will also probably cost more than your entire system (unless you're running a Quad G5 with a 30" display and even then…), so don't rush in to anything.

In a nutshell, read voraciously about using effects. Then try putting that into practice. Enjoy the whole learning experience, too!

I agree with the above comments. Additionally, I use Izotope Ozone 3 for "quick mastering" on my tracks- It's kinda heavy on the CPU but it is quite helpful as far as visually analyzing your final mixes & has some good tools for helping you get a little more oomph out of them. Your mixes will still suck through this app if they are not up to par.

This is kind of unrelated, but I have to inquire. I'm running Logic 7.2.1 on an Intel Mac with a M-audio FW 410 and here's my dilemna, I guess I should say "future" dilmemna. Digidesign is soon to come out with a Pro Tools M-powered version compatible with the Intel Mac's.
Is it worth it to drop the 300$ or so to get this strictly for recording vocals, live instruments and mastering purposes? Don't get me wrong I'm thrilled with Logic, but I think Pro Tools has a slight edge in the above tasks. But do you think the sound will really be any better or would I need to upgrade the hardware to really achieve that? I would still do all my composing in Logic, I'm just wondering if this is something that might be worth looking into, I mean that's the pro combo isn't it?

It's your money, but PTLE has less capability, and doesn't sound better than Logic, unless you move up to PT|HD.

Thank you guys for all your answers.

I'll keep on working.

redstrype: I don't know what kind of benefits you'd expect from switching to PTLE over Logic. You already have the Intel-native version of Logic, so performance isn't an issue. Save your money. If you really must spend it, buy yourself a lovely new preamp like the Grace 101 or a really good audio interface like the Metric Halo ULN-2. You know, something that will ACTUALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE TO YOUR RECORDINGS. Switching sequencers is as exciting as switching margerines.

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