Trying to use Logic Studio to master a mixed CD (Trance music)

Question

So I've mixed plenty of CD's before, but I just want this to sound good on ALL players (car speakers, headphones, etc) I've used Ableton Live to mix and blend the songs together. The last CD I made I believe I used Waveburner to make the CD. I used the mastering option in there, but it made all the music "weak" and muddy....My buddy recommended that I just bring the tracks into Logic and use the "mastering template" in there. So I started a new project with the "Stereo Mastering" template...... I've messed around with the "Chan EQ" and "gain" plug ins and such.... But nothing seems to make this sounds BETTER and punchier.
So my question is, how do I go about using these plug ins to make the music all come alive and all EVEN for easy listening? I've searched in the manual and online, but nothing really giving pointers on how to master a mixed CD..... Oh, and by the way, the music for the CD is Trance (dance). Thanks!

Answer 1

I arrange and master techno/electro mixes in Ableton. You don't need to use Logic.
In Ableton, get your levels spot on for each track so that you are hitting 0db in the right places - Pay close attention to the meters and listen closely for any clipping/distortion. Occasionally you'll have a quieter track which might be hitting 0db but sounds quieter than the tracks either side, in this case use a spectrum analyser and an EQ to boost the quieter frequencies a bit, if that isnt doing it use a compressor on that track to get it upto the same volume as the rest without clipping. A transparent limiter set to 0db on the master helps fix any clips you've missed.
If you don't have the Ableton Project and only have the option of Logic to 'master' it, then i suggest putting a limiter on the master out. Set the Output Level to 0db and be subtle with the gain. Listen to the loudest parts of the track and make sure it still sounds ok before bouncing it. If this still is not adding enough punch, then put a compressor on the output channel before the limiter and play with the settings to get the punch you are after. Remember though that while compressing and limiting will make it louder, you're losing quality and definition, so be sparing.
Perhaps don't use the mastering option in the Waveburner software, i find iTunes works fine for burning a .wav i've made in Ableton. Also, i don't bother with Ableton's 'Normalise' option when bouncing the mix, if you've got the levels right you shouldn't need any other help.
Message was edited by: gr_e_g_o_i_re