Which is your acoustic plugin chain for a good mix/master?

Answer 1

This is a bit of a loaded question because it really depends on the genre, vibe, track count, and overall creative direction. But for now, let’s simplify things and focus on creating a plugin chain for a clean, natural acoustic guitar recording. Let’s assume you’ve got a mono guitar track, which was recorded via DI and you’re looking to polish it up.

Here’s a straightforward approach:

1. EQ: Start by using a 5-band parametric EQ to cut out any muddy frequencies and gently boost the high end to add some air to the sound.
2. De-Esser: Next, use a de-esser to smooth out any harshness that might be present.
3. Compression: Add some compression to tighten up the dynamics and raise the volume above the noise floor, giving the track a more tight & consistent sound.
4. Stereo Width: If you want, we can then expand the mono track to create a bit of stereo width, which can give it more depth and dimension.
5. Parallel Reverb: Finally, without going to much off the rails, we can add a couple of layers of subtle parallel reverb to add some space/room without overwhelming the guitar.

Remember, there are no hard and fast rules — what works best can vary depending on what you’re going for. But you must know the rules before you can break them! For instance, changing around the order of EQ and compression, can make a big difference in the final tonality and outcome. Don’t be afraid to experiment, tweak settings, and even make mistakes. It’s all part of learning and finding your sound. It's also worth mentioning, what used to be considered "mistakes" can actually lead to unique and creative results. So, dive in and see what works for you — Good luck!

Answer 2

Without sounding like a philosopher....

In practice there is no "one size fits all" preset for mastering. Every song will be different. To better understand think of a Drum & Bass song versus classical. One is generally speaking loud, and aggressive, and the latter generally speaking featuring a wide range of dynamics from whisper quiet to explosively loud.

With that said in most cases one would use meters (loudness, scope, mono compatibility, stereo field, etc) , an eq, and a compressor or two to master a song, and while there are tons of other tools these are the bread, and butter, but a great mix is the beginning of a great master. Get your mix right, before you consider mastering.

The best master is ALWAYS the result of a great mix. In fact my mastering Engineer who has credits spanning from the Beach Boys, to Nikki Minaj says that the best master is when he touches up the levels and sends it back. IOW mastering is a matter of subtle enhancement of what is already there.

Hope this helps.

Best,

#LoveExcelsAll