Mastering in Pro Tools (with stock plugins) 

Tech talk starts at 2:46

Still the OG video on Mastering that I keep coming back to! Thanks Brian!

You are very welcome. I can't be more pleased than to read your kind words. It is because of people like yourself that reminds me of why I do what I do. I know I'm not the best engineer, public speaker or presenter - but there is so much more to it than any of that and I'm glad you find value in the videos I upload. There will sure be more to come!!!

8 years later it still sounds amazing thank you so much 🙏🏾 subscribed ✅

Mr. Buckalew is the ONLY channel on RU-vid I have the notifications turned on for. He gives great advice and means it when he says email and ask a question. I've learned a lot and got the confidence needed to keep ticking away at my independent journey. Thanks Brian!

I mean this is the most unorthodox way I've seen mastering done in Pro Tools but it gets the job done. Nice work sir, keep cranking out tune

Great video . Thanks for reminding me that everything I REALLY need is already in most major DAW's like Pro Tools. Well done.

Brian I'm a beginner with pro tools 12 and I wanted to thank you for this video. Good insight to what can be accomplished in this program! Thanks!

This is the best straight forward and short video ever. Just the way I like tutorial videos that don't over explain. Straight to the point and quick explanation. Thank you!

@ Francisco Guerra: It is best to master at the highest resolution as possible, preferably at what you recorded at. Mastering is where all down-sampling (going from 48k and above down to 44.1) and dithering (going from 24-bit and above down to 16-bit) occurs. This is not to say you can't do this inside of your mix, but most mastering engineers like to work with the highest resolution file as possible. Also, I have my peaks at -10dB - this is accomplished by balancing my mix's levels track-by-track. I never really like to use a Limiter while I'm mixing, but that's not to say I won't if I feel it is necessary in certain cases. One reason I would use a Limiter in my mix would be to provide a client a mix with Mastering levels. In this scenario I would bypass the Limiter after I've bounced the file, as it is just to allow my client to hear the mix at a "commercial level".

Hi Brian, I just wanted to say THANK YOU brother; your videos are among the BEST I have seen in mastering, etc. The long hours it takes to explain and show how you do your work as well as edit the tape and then upload it is very very much appreciated!!!!! I also appreciate the fact that you have taken request's from people and actually follow-up and make the video's for them/us. God Bless you my friend.

You got a like with me, doing a mastering class delivery and your idea of the process of mastering in protools was big help

You should always A/B when they are at equal dB levels, otherwise your brain will always automatically think louder = better

Thanks, John - I've even got another new mastering concept I'm working on right now with only Waves plugins. I haven't gotten the results quite to where I want them to be, but Waves plugins add awesome warmth. Another week or two in the oven and I might have another video ready to upload. I'll keep everyone posted.

Hey Brian thanks for this... Very useful information. I've been using this for musicians who want to record but don't have the budget to get it mastered in a proper suite... And the proof is in the airplay. This method stands up against pro mastered tunes playing either side of the broadcast playlist... Thanks for sharing man!

once again thank you very much for all your videos mister i remember some time ago i got the proo tools software i open it and dont know what to do, then i found your videos for bigginers and here i am now learning about mastering GOOD BLESS YOU my FRIEND you are good... take care

I'm not weird or anything, but I love you. This has been the most helpful video I've ever watched regarding ProTools. I have put your instruction into practice, and I love what I hear. Thank you SO much for this gem. Many thanks.

The input on my first audio track is the Pro Tools abbreviation for "Built In Microphone". Let's take a stereo aux track and a stereo audio track. The input of the stereo aux track will be bus 3-4 and the output will be bus 5-6. Set the input of the stereo audio track to bus 5-6 and the output to your main stereo output. Enable the stereo audio track for recording. Set the output of you audio track to bus 3-4 and hit play. That will send your audio into the stereo aux thru to the stereo audio.

I had difficulties mastering but this tutorial along with the print track video helped a lot!

This was by far the best video I've seen on mastering with stock plugins. Very simple and I can't wait until my off day to test it out. Thanks a bunch and I will searching for more of your video if you have them.

Thank you very much for the kind words. I'm glad you like my "SONG". It is called "Begin Again" and will be available on iTunes in early 2014.

Very clear thank, I'm in the middle of a mix at the moment and this will help me when it comes down to mastering.

thank you. this makes a lot of complicated stuff sound much more doable after listening to this vid a few times. really appreciated!

Thanks for the video Brian. Some great information here. However, keep in mind that if you’re recording to an audio track that the inserts fall after the fader. Then, if you use the Export Clips as Files function you’re not adding dither to your final exported audio file because you’re only exporting the clip, not the mixer channel. If you want to add dither to your final mix down, it would be better to insert Dither on your stereo Master Fader and then Bounce to Disk. Also, it’s not a good idea to convert your sample rate after dithering because then you’ve sample rate converted the dithering noise. In theory, it’s best to sample rate convert first, then dither.

OMG THANK YOU! Just starting out in Pro Tools, and mastering. I set this up as a template and love it! Having the live bounce right there, as it's happening, has helped me to see every little adjustment I'm making. You just ripped so much learning curve away. I'll be watching all your videos, for sure!

This is an amazing video. I watched this and learned a lot. You can even see the changes as he goes along

I'm not entirely sure what you did but copying your settings actually works on my tracks and my tracks LOOK like they have been mastered. When I've tried other RU-vid videos I end up with a mess that clips and sounds awful. Thank you for taking the time out to show your setup. I now have something I can use and then start to try understand what each plugin achieves and start to introduce my own plugins. Thank you.

Great video! Still holding up after almost 8 years. Thanks for sharing. Cheers!

Thank you so much for this video Brian! I've tried watching other videos on this topic but they've been a little too advanced for me. This one was easy for me to follow. Thanks again!

This vid is MAGICAL! It's totally transformed all my mixes - a thousand thanks!

Please Brian keep uploading videos like this.... they are great and very helpful

Thanks Brian for sharing this info. It has helped me greatly!!! I appreciate you taking the time to help explain the process of mastering within pro tools.

Thanks for the feedback! dbx is a great company that makes great PRO-gear. I do believe we have all fallen victim to the "MORE IS BETTER" approach to plugins. I really only use an EQ, Comp and Reverb and/or Delay (depending on the mood I'm trying to set) anymore. In Pro Tools I use EQ III and the stock Comp/Limiter. The Reverbs and Delays are where I go outside of "stock" plugins. I prefer Waves for my Delays and like to experiment with different Verbs. Thanks again for checking it out!

Ah this is amazingly beautiful song. Love ambient style. PS . Ignore all negative "try to look smart" comments. You did amazing job showing us so many secrets from the "kitchen" without asking for anything. Everyone that argue for something so not important like what define the word "song" is definitely not here to learn or enjoy the process of making music. You are great mr Brian.

Hello Sladek, the layout of the faders is to separate the session from the print process. The Master fader is the END of the signal chain as you mentioned. The Print Bus and PRINT track are to the right of the Master fader to make it easier for me to keep them out of the mix process visually. It does NOT affect the sound in any way.

Thank you for this tutorial Brian...such a great help. I am putting together an EP with this same method you implemented. Instead of having the limiter on each individual audio track, I am inserting it on the Stereo Print track.

and your computer's processor is not being taxed with a lot of separate plug-ins running. This is just one approach. You could also process each song individually (or with separate treatment via bus routing) and then run all tracks into one main Stereo bus feeding into your Master fader (which is where your dither plugin should reside). The point is to get the results that are most pleasing to your ears. When you are done with this processing step you will bounce each track separately.

Thank you so much for this video! You've taught me some really vital information for the song I'm working on and for all the future ones. This is the BEST most informative video I've seen so far on the subject, you are a life saver.

helpful, thanks! The "introduce compression and limiting little by little" approach is something I haven't heard yet (as I'm only a month and a couple hundred tutorial videos into production, mixing, and mastering). Though, I'd prefer to be accurate with LUFS so I'll probably keep using Reaper and Fabfilter's limiter.

You need compression. The two most used tools (plugins) for mixing are Equalizers and Compressors. If you can get these two tools down you will be well on your way to being a great audio engineer. Just search for EQ vocals, Mix Vocals or Vocal Compression here on RU-vid and I'm sure you will get tons of videos to watch.

Good job on explaining each step of the process. I just finished my first Mix and going to give this a try..... Thanks!!

Hello kind sir, thank you for this tutorial. I will watch it to infinity

That's great man as I'm an avid pro tools user as well. I like your concept. I also like the peaceful song.

very helpful, thank you!!! People like you make youtube worth it!!!

Thank you very much, Everyone can learn with a good teacher like you! Thanks Master!

Wow this changed the sound quality of my track drastically!! Thank you

I think cisco is talking about "input only monitoring/ Auto input monitoring" . If you select track in the menu bar click on "input monitoring" you will get your sound through. "oh btw im using pro tools 8 , so not sure if it is in the exact same place on 10" hope this helps. : ) P.s. Thanks for the awesome Vid .

Very good indeed, simple but with a formidable practical implication . Congratulations on your work friend!

If you've followed everything to the letter from the video, then the only reason that you won't hear any audio is because you haven't armed the print track for recording. The arming of the print track is what allows the audio to flow through that channel.

Absolutely. That will be the next video I put. Several others have asked for the same video.

Dude, the track is amazing.

We need to create 1 stereo Aux track and 1 stereo Audio track. The "Input" of the stereo Aux track will be Bus 1-2 and the "output" will be Bus 3-4. The "input" of the stereo Audio Track will be Bus 3-4 and the "output" will be your main out or Master Bus. You can then rename the stereo Aux track "Print Bus" and the stereo audio track "Print Track". This method is just a way to "bounce" inside of Pro Tools instead of going to File > Bounce. More control and less strain on your CPU as well.

Thank you kindly! Sure it isn't a famous mastering house. Or done with expensive hardware. Or even anything close to professional when I do this. But it sure helps and sounds way better than just bouncing out my mix to share with friends or do a RU-vid video! Now i have to find those plug-ins in PT9. And very affordable! LOL Thanks again!

Thank you sir, learnt something from your demo. Stay blessed as well.

TNice tutorials was an amazing tutorial. You are a great teacher

This is a great video, easy to understand and you explain everything really well. The song you made sounds great as well :)

Brian, I know this is old but help me a lot now! Great, man, Thanks !!

Excellent way to up the perceived volume!!!! Thanks.

Thanks very much for all that information. You have a great way of explaining it all and making it simple.

Cheers Brian - great video - not only informative but well presented, , explained, demonstrated and paced - enough to go on to start with your principles and then to play with to suit. Much appreciated, especially as I don't have expensive extra plug ins (yet?) and all features came with my Pro Tools 9 MP version prior to the 10 you used.

Dude - this is an awesome video and you have helped me massively. Thank you

Man thank you for the video. I'm new. Zero experience and my head has hurt every since I started with music software 😂🤘

Thanks a bunch for your tutorial. I had to watch the other "how to" for making a print track. All is good now thanks to your contribution.

Thanks for taking the time to put this video together. Very helpful. Your song sounds great too! I love ambient music that has a decent melody. I'd like to hear the full track.

Thank you very much for the video. Greetings from Brazil! GOD bless you and yours!

I haven't had a chance to try it yet, but thank you for this video.

Well done! I've learned so much from this video. Thank you Brian!

Good reference of gain staging- -12 to -the 6dp

Thanks Brian. Good video! Thanks Eric for the follow up!

Thanks for sharing your video it has given me a fantastic starting point.

Hey Brian, thanks for this video. I like the way you teach. Bless

YOU. ARE. INCREDIBLE. Thank you soooo much!

Very Awesome Video Brian. Sounds really good. The whole home basic mastering scared me but this gave me quite a bit more confidence. If you don't mind I'd like to discuss you mixing process sometime. I really like the tune and have some questions.

truly a beautiful song man you're talented af

Very informative! great video! and that song is incredible!

worked just as you said it would ....2 thumbs way up!

Screenflow from the Mac App Store is the screen capture software.

Entering Metadata is normally done in the Mastering Stage. From what I have read standard WAV does not support metadata unlike compressed audio formates like MP3 and the like. What I have noted with CDs quite often (new CDs) contains metadata information (my CD player reads this information). Also for the purpose of purchasing WAV files on line (ie...HD Tracks does not sell lossey audio) I would see a necessity to have important metadata embedded in this file format. What is the best solution for this (a professional standard)?

This video was extremely helpful thank you

hey maybe you can help me, ive done a bounce in protools express, and have a flanging effect happening on the drums. any idea what that may be??

What I would do is put each song on a separate stereo audio track with about 1-2 seconds between each song. I would not process each song differently, but run them all through the same Stereo bus chain. The volume leveling should have been done prior to bringing the song into this Mastering session. That is why I said in the video that I try to keep my levels at a predetermined spot (-10dBFS in this case). Your compressor/limiting will not have to work as hard, everything sounds more natural,

Such a great video man. Great knowledge reinforcement for me. Thanks!

Thanks a lot for this sir. I'm currently mixing/mastering a virtual orchestral composition and keep getting distorted, muddy, fuzzy playback after bouncing. This helps me by following some form of guidelines.

Thanks Brian. This was very helpful. Great video.

@JohnQPublic: He's already mixed down his track, this is a separate session with the stereo mix imported for the mastering process.

im having a problem when i bounce to disk the volume is low but the vocals are good what can i do to fix that

Oh wow ! I didn't see the templates! bravo a job well done!!

This really helped me out a lot! Thanks real nice tutorial.

If you are talking about the "Transport" window that has the record button on it then you go to "WINDOW" and select "TRANSPORT". If this is not what you are talking about then please let me know so I can get back to you.

awesome tutorial! even in PT 8 LE all the plugins are there 🔥

Hello utubehound69 - I didn't keep my PM I/O for very long. I went with the Digi 003. Anyway, you may be having issues with Core Audio and the setup preferences with Pro Tools Aggregate I/O. You may want to check with the installation guide to verify you have installed everything correctly or that you have the proper drivers for your version of Pro Tools. To do what you are wanting to do, the Pro Tools Aggregate I/O is the proper way to go about playing back and monitoring from multiple outputs.

Great video! Thanks for the information!

super cool,sa m'a aidé à mieux comprendre certaines chose avec l'étape mastering.

Thanks Brian Great Video! Vernon BC Canada

Hi Brian really like the video man thanks so much , but did you rename or wright in the Sub mix and Print track part you didn’t mention that one ? Can’t change the name on mine for some reason

Thanks for making this video Brian..Do you know if I can Master The way you did her on Protools 8?? How do you access the Mastering window, or you just create one in the edit window? Also how did you create the print track??

I'd be more than happy to help you out. What exactly are you trying to do, master? What DAW are you working in? What are your sample rates? They will all need to match - 44.1k, 48k, whatever your sample rate it will need to match all your tracks. Give me a little more info and I'll get you straightened out.

I cant figure out the routing to the sub print and the print. No signal on either channel. I have instruments routed to Sub Groups and then to Sub master then to master.

Brian I love that twinkling sound in the background bro :)

Thank you! that was awesome and i understood what you said!