TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction

About T-RackS 3

The Technology

The Processor Modules

    Vintage Tube Compressor 670

    Tube Program Equalizer Model EQP-1A

    Opto Compressor

    The Brickwall Limiter

    Linear Phase Equalizer

    Classic Compressor

    Classic Multi-band Limiter

    Classic Clipper

    Classic Equalizer

Latency

Plug-In Use

Chapter 1 - Mix Preparation

Technical Prep

    Make A Copy Of The Session

    Tweak The Timing

    Eliminate Noises

    Comping

    Tuning

Setup Prep

    Make A Copy

    Delete Empty Tracks

    Deactivate And Hide Unused Tracks

    Arrange The Track Order

    Color-Code The Tracks

    Insert Section Markers

    Label The Tracks

    Set Up Groups

    Set Up Effects

        Assign Channels

    Set Up Compressors And Limiters

Physical Prep

    Get Comfortable

    Note Taking

    Turn Off The Internet

    Play Something You Know

Summary Questions

Chapter 2 - Your Monitoring Setup

Choosing Your Monitors

    Tips For Choosing A Set Of Monitors

Basic Monitor Setup

How Loud (Or Soft) Should I Listen?

Listening In Mono

    Phase Coherency

    Balances

    Panning

Listening Tips And Tricks

    Listening On Several Systems

The Listening Environment

    Potential Acoustic Problems

    ARC

Summary Questions

Chapter 3 - Using T-RackS Dynamics Processors During Mixing

Compressors

    A Brief Explanation

    Compression To Control Dynamics

    Compression As An Effect

    Amount Of Compression

    Setting The Compressor

    Compressor Modules

        Vintage Tube 670

        Opto Compressor

        Classic Tube Compressor

Limiters

    Limiter Modules

        Brickwall Limiter

        Classic Clipper

        Multi-Band Limiter

De-Essers

Summary Questions

Chapter 4 - Using T-RackS EQ and Metering Processors During Mixing

Equalizers

    What Are You Trying To Do?

        A Description Of The Audio Spectrum

    Using The Equalizer

        Subtractive Equalization

        Juggling Frequencies

    The Magic High-Pass Filter

    EQ Modules

        The Classic Equalizer

        Tube Program Equalizer EQP-1A

        The Linear Phase Equalizer

Metering

    Using The Spectrum Analyzer During Mixing

Summary Questions

Chapter 5 - Mix Buss Compression

Why Use Buss Compression

When To Use It

    At The End Of The Mix

    At The Beginning Of The Mix

Mix Buss Compressor Alternatives

Setting The Compressor

    Typical Buss Compressor Settings

Typical Buss Compressor Settings

    Classic Compressor Typical Settings

    Vintage 670 Typical Settings

    Brickwall Limiter Typical Settings

Summary Questions

Chapter 6 - Preparation For Mastering

How Long Should It Take To Complete A Mix?

    When Is A Mix Finished?

    Mixing In The Box

Alternative Mixes

    The TV Mix

Mixing With Mastering In Mind

How Much Should A Mix Cost?

Summary Questions?

Chapter 7 - An Introduction To Mastering

Why Master Anyway?

The Different Between You And A Pro

The Mastering Technique

Setting Up T-RackS 3 For Mastering

    Setting Up The Project Parameters

        The Export Format

        File Resolution

        Sample Rate

        Dithering

        Link To Audio File

    Loading Files

Summary Questions

Chapter 8 - Monitoring For Mastering

Monitoring Techniques For Mastering

Summary Questions

Chapter 9 - The T-RackS Metering Module

The Peak Meter

The RMS Meter

The Perceived Loudness Meter

The Phase Scope

The Phase Correlation Meter

    Verify The Phase Issue

    What To Do With Out Of Phase Material

The Spectrum Analyzer

    How To Use The Spectrum Analyzer

Typical Settings

Summary Questions

Chapter 10 - Mastering 101 (The Mastering Process)

Adjusting The Audio Level

    Perceived Audio Level

    Competitive Level

    Hypercompression - Don’t Go There!

How To Get Hot Levels

    The Signal Chain

    The Limiter

    The Compressor

    4 Rules For Hot Levels

    Mastering Compressor Tips And Tricks

Frequency Balance

Summary Questions

   

Chapter 11 - Using T-RackS For Mastering

The Mastering Signal Chain

    A Simple Signal Chain

        The Linear Phase EQ

        The Vintage Compressor Model 670

        The Brickwall Limiter

    Presets

    An Advanced Signal Chain

        The EQP-1A Processor

        The Classic Tube Compressor

    Parallel Processing

        The Opto Compressor

    Show Chain

    M/S Mastering

The Comparison Settings

The Compare Function

The Waveform Display

    Trim

    Fades

        Fade Ins

        Fade Outs

    Loops

    Snapshots

Summary Questions

       

Chapter 12 - Exporting Your Project

Exporting In T-RackS 3

Mastering For CD

    Song Order

    Spreads

    PQ Subcodes

        ISRC Codes

        UPC Code

        CD-Text

Mastering For The Internet

    MP3 Encoding

        Lossy Data Compression

        The Source File

        The Encoder

            Bit Rate

            Bit Rate Settings

            Constant vs. Average vs. Variable Bit Rate

            Other Settings

        MP3 Encoding Tips

    Exporting For iTunes

    FLAC Files

    ALAC Files

Summary Questions

       

Glossary