first off, apologies if this is territory that's been gone over before, but i am finding it hard to get some focused info when my initial question is probably to 'broad'. to save time in searching the net ( when i really HAVE to get on with actually writing music) my inquiry is simple.
i have a bunch of tracks i made over some time about 5 years ago being the oldest and listening to them now, the production quality is erratic, but the musical content still seems quite interesting to me so i would like to 'optimize' the quality so i can give it to people, preferably alongside my newer stuff which although still a bit crude in production terms, is obviously better quality and gets better as i go along. so, i need to know some simple advice on how to 'remaster' this stuff, as someone who has never done any mastering before. my stuff is mainly electronic although there are frequent samples of real instruments and vocal edits and effects, and as such my main problem is that a) everything is generally to quiet ( maybe not such a problem) and b) there are parts, usually beats and drums that can sound muddy and ( oddly) a bit 'old' sounding ( like an RJD2 track : )?)
and , occasionally, but rarely, there is a bit of distortion although it's minimal.
seems to my tin ears that i need an increase in volume overall and some clarity and depth to give the tracks that are in need of it a bit of body and sparkle.
any advice on this will be hugely appreciated.
peace
ps. and apologies to those who have seen this kind of question before.
thx

 

If I were you, I'd separate each element from the old tracks and throw each into a new project. Then spend some time comparing these old files with some newer ones, perhaps stems from a commercial track that is a similar genre to your files. Think to yourself, what does this sound need to sound as modern as this other sound? Probably some more volume, increased stereo imaging, some eqing, etc.
Considering you've never really done any mastering before, you may want to pick up Izotope Ozone 7 from the sister site, and read up on some basic mastering techniques.
Clarity generally has to do with proper eqing and finding the space (time-wise and stereo field-wise). Depth can be achieved by layering sounds together, adding harmonic distortion,etc. Body and sparkle is achieved with excitation.
There's a whole world of terminology and methods to mastering, just research, and learn as much as you can.
But also remember, mastering is nothing without having a good mix first.
I think honestly you should focus on the mixing side of things more, if you're stuff is sounding outdated.
Mastering is just that final push to get everything sounding as perfect as it can be, mixing is really where the magic happens.
You can get you're stuff louder with limiters, Ozone 7 has one of the best ones in it.
You can get rid of distortion with surgical EQ. But honestly, unless you purposely distorted something, It might just sound distorted because it's clipping...?
There's so much honestly, so I'll just leave you with this.
Learn how to mix, then learn how to master.
Easier said than done, I know. But you had a broad question, so I gave you a broad answer.
If you have any other specific questions I'd be happy to try and answer them for you.

 

i understand what you're saying, but as i pointed out, this stuff was mixed some years back and so i am trying to retrieve some better quality in retrospect. i am taking pains to better my productions now so perhaps it won't be a problem in future. i think there is a little life left in those older projects but some of them, i simply cannot get back to an original multi-track setup. i just want to see if people have any experience kind-of 'resuscitating' older material as i wish to put some of this stuff in a portfolio.. if possible : )

 

Master the original exports/mixdowns (wav/aiff) again.

 

if youve no longer got the program files then maybe try an audio restoration suite like iz rx4 or similar................im sure theres far more knowledgable than myself on here but that would be my goto responce without the original to make adjustments too!!...............

 

Ok, maybe try Izotope RX5 or Final Mix, or some of the Zynaptiq plugins.

 

yes that is actually the point. that's the advice i am seeking is how to master or treat wav files
i am looking into rx5 as i like izotopes stuff and will check this zynaptiq place also.
thx

 

You generally don't master with RX5 or the Zynaptiq stuff. It's more for restoration and such processing.

Instead you use EQ, M/S EQ, Dynamic EQ, filters (highpass/DC offset, lowpass), compressors, parallel compressors, exciters, limiters, etc.
How you master can take years and years of hard work and studies to get good at. That is why many rely on sending their clean mixes/mixdowns to a respected ME (mastering engineer) with the ears, experience, knowledge, room and gear (hard and soft).
There are tons of mastering tutorials out there nowadays, explaining the inner details. Back in the days this information was hard to come by.