LPX mastering & bouncing

Use the stereo out channel, the master VCA comes after it.

1. Gain plugin to avoid clipping

2. Linear phase EQ: boost whatever needs to be boosted, cut very low (24 Hz) to make it less muddy. Why linear - on regular channel EQ, crossovers can interact in terms of phase, leading to tone coloration. But linear EQ isn’t used all the time because it needs much more processing power.

3. Optional: light compression (vintage VCA, 2-3:1). Watch out for extra gain, louder often seems “better”

4. Adaptive limiter into loudness meter. Use loudest part of song, around 30 seconds. Check integrated LUFS. True peak on, ceiling at -1 db. Spotify wants -14 LUFS.

Bouncing

• set range just before start (e.g. bluetooth sometimes has a small buffer before it starts playing, you want to account for that) and end manually. Bounce using locators.
• fade automation on master/output track to kill effects before end of song
• resolution at 16 bit for PCM. If going from higher (check recording), use dithering.