Pro Mastering Chain and Plugins | Quick Overview

This video is a follow-up to: • Simple Mastering Chain...
In this overview, I'll cover how to get a Spotify-ready sound by setting up an effective mastering chain in FL Studio. This streamlined guide is designed for producers and artists looking to enhance their tracks to professional levels, focusing on a select range of high-quality plugins to achieve a polished final product.
🔍 What You'll Learn:
This quick FL Studio Tutorial not just for those looking to mix and master in FL Studio. I'm hoping this video will add clarity to those learning how to set up a mastering chain.
My mastering chain starts with Ozone 10 for foundational adjustments, saturation, equalization, and multi-band compression.
I begin with the Ozone Equalizer, applying subtle EQ adjustments to fine-tune the mix. This is followed by Ozone Dynamics for parallel compression, adding depth and balance. Ozone Exciter for that essential touch of saturation, enriching the track's texture. Then finally the Dynamic EQ, implementing dynamic equalizing to sculpt the audio further with low and high shelves for a balanced output.
Next, I add the Black Box HG-2MS by Plugin Alliance for its unparalleled mid/side saturation, enhancing the stereo field and adding warmth.
Pulsar 8200 follows, offering precise mid/side EQ adjustments for a pristine sonic quality.
To tackle any unwanted resonance, Soothe 2 is my tool of choice, ensuring a clean and clear mix.
The God Particle is then applied, giving the song that final polish and sheen, while Ozone Imager ensures the stereo image is meticulously balanced.
The mastering chain is completed with BX Limiter True Peak by Plugin Alliance, providing the final saturation and limiting to meet true peak standards for digital platforms like Spotify.
I wrap up the tutorial with an A/B comparison, allowing you to hear the before and after at parity loudness, showcasing the subtle yet impactful enhancements made through the mastering chain.
This video is not just about showing you the tools but teaching you how to use them effectively in FL Studio or any DAW of your choice to elevate your music. Whether you're aiming for Spotify or any other streaming platform, these insights will help you take your mix to the next level.
0:00 Intro
1:13 Stems are loaded in FL Studio
1:36 Adding Ozone 10 to the master channel
2:20 Ozone 10 before and after comparison
2:33 Adding Black Box HG-2MS for mid/side saturation
2:54 Black Box HG-2MS before and after comparison
3:09 Adding Pulsar 8200 for mid/side EQ
3:41 Pulsar 8200 before and after comparison
3:58 Adding Soothe 2 to remove resonances from the mix
4:32 Soothe 2 before and after comparison
4:42 Adding The God Particle for additional polish
4:57 The God Particle before and after comparison
5:12 Adding Ozone Imager to balance the stereo image
5:32 Ozone Imager before and after comparison
5:44 Adding BX Limiter True Peak for final limiting / saturation
6:08 BX Limiter True Peak before and after comparison
6:20 Setting up MetricAB for A/B Testing
7:35 Comparing the unmastered and mastered mix
8:48 Final Thoughts
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🔍 Tags: #mixingandmastering #flstudio #musicproduction #musicproducer #audiomixing #beatmaking #izotope #ozone #soothe #soothe2 #thegodparticle #audioengineer #lofi #lofibeat #lofitypebeat #typebeat #pluginalliance #blackbox #blackboxhg2 #vst #vstplugins #audiotutorial #sidechain #instrumental #imageline #dynamiceq

[@InspiredWithAC]

If you’d like to listen to the track, it’s available on all streaming platforms. Here’s the Spotify link:
open.spotify.com/track/4a5t8ELVW2HXABGVJFYPYx

[@reptilejesus829]

Thanks for the updated version.
Awesome to see that you are so thorough and actually read the comments (:

[@InspiredWithAC]

🙌🏽 absolutely. Thanks again for watching.

[@TheDragonDeacon]

Great song, solid video and info. I hope your channel takes off.

[@InspiredWithAC]

Much appreciated. Thanks for watching!

[@kriserroh]

Watched this while one some good good... That beat is cleaaaaan 🔥😂

[@InspiredWithAC]

Much appreciated! It’s out on Spotify now if you care to listen. open.spotify.com/track/4a5t8ELVW2HXABGVJFYPYx

[@hampsonpaul3531]

Also many thanks for the updated version and I look forward to more content from you ..Your mix sounded great before the mastering.I have only listened to the A/B on my phone .I will check it again later and drop a new comment..

[@InspiredWithAC]

Thanks again. Looking forward to it.

[@hampsonpaul3531]

@@InspiredWithAC Wow the Mastered version is so good at Unity , the space and depth just hit me .Great work man ..

[@InspiredWithAC]

Much appreciated!

[@1KriticalShoota]

Thanks a lot for this ! Do you use this for only mastering beats or on full songs with vocals too ?

[@InspiredWithAC]

I would not saturate with Ozone Exciter / Black Box / Bx Limiter if I had vocals on the song. I typically have my stems going to a final instrumental bus and vocals to a vocal bus. I like to saturate the instrumental with various plugins. I tend to only use Black Box for saturation on my final stereo out. I’d also use a more transparent limiter as my final limiter. Fabfilter Pro-L 2 or Sonible Smart:limit are good options

[@BurningBushPedagogy]

Thanks but I discovered something bad soothe reducing the neutrality of the audio after it has taken away the unwanted resonances, and I am kind of careful, I has better result with a simple de esser. Took out some midrange sharpness or piercing soothe did the job, when I compare to the original it had lost all the openness, with a de esser it was much and sounds neutral but the resonance was gone. I was so disappointed.
I wish I could make a video to show this.
Sometimes everyone singing the praise of a product, might not reveal all the truth.
Now am looking at all the soothe alternatives.
Nice track and good luck with your music.

[@InspiredWithAC]

Even when you dialed down the amount? I mentioned in the full 20 minute tutorial that I initially didn’t use soothe when I bought it. But the more I played around with it, the more I liked it. I like to use 2 soothe instances in mid/side - one for light cleaning on mid and one for sides. I find that works well.
I don’t disagree regards to it removing the life from a song. I know this was not your case, but if producers/musicians overuse it, it could easily remove all of the character and life from the song. Anyway, thanks for watching!