Mastering for radioplay?

Discussion in 'Mixing and Mastering' started by boogiewoogie, Oct 30, 2016.

  1. boogiewoogie

    boogiewoogie Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2012
    Messages:
    477
    Likes Received:
    197
    Any advice on how to master a track that will be played on the radio? We have just had an acoustic singer songwriter type song played on a few radios, and while it sounds good when the file is played in any format, when it came through the radio it was wobbly and a bit distorted.

    We had compressed the song, but not used any maximizer/limiter. I have read a bit that it should be basically unmastered for radio, as dynamic as possible. But someone here must know better. How to make it so it will sound clean and proper after radio processing plays it?

     
    boogiewoogie, Oct 30, 2016
    1
  2. Ads Master

    Ads Master

     
  3. Studio 555

    Studio 555 Producer

    Joined:
    Mar 7, 2012
    Messages:
    1,181
    Likes Received:
    125
    Personally, I think that here's the main point to know...

    I mean, the 'Radio Station' which plan to play your 'Song', 'Mix',... should tell you (or you can ask it !) if its 'Team' may eventually compress, maximize, limit,... it afterwards (thanks to their specific gear) or not before to play it.
    With this in mind, you can 'pre-mix', 'pre-master', your 'Song', 'Mix',... accordingly.


    P.S: Most of the 'professional' Radio Stations uses specific Loudness Maximizers, Limiters,... (often expensive 'Hardware Units') to increase the overall volume of the Songs that they play...
    This is what is commonly named 'The Loudness War' !!! :yes: :speaker:
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2016
    Studio 555, Oct 30, 2016
    2
  4. n0xin

    n0xin Rock Star

    Joined:
    Nov 14, 2014
    Messages:
    455
    Likes Received:
    404
    Location:
    Croatia
    my un_pro advice is:

    1. master your song how ever you like it! then apply "smile" curve EQ (bass shelf boost, hi shelf boost) if song still sounds good, then job is done if not, tweak it that it sounds good both with "smile" eq and woithout it.
    2. check their (radio station) LUFS standard to limit the song accordingly.
    3. if still not shure, reach for Youtube, you will find what ever you need there :)
     
    n0xin, Oct 30, 2016
    3
  5. Seedz

    Seedz Rock Star

    Joined:
    Feb 5, 2016
    Messages:
    459
    Likes Received:
    353
    Location:
    Sitting on a Cornflake
    The mixing/mastering plugin "Levels" has presets to mix and master too for various formats.....I just checked, and its not got one for radio, but it might not be a bad place to start along with nOxins suggestions above.........free demo for 2 weeks.

    https://www.masteringthemix.com/pages/mixing-with-levels
     
    Seedz, Oct 30, 2016
    4
  6. boogiewoogie

    boogiewoogie Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2012
    Messages:
    477
    Likes Received:
    197
    Thank. Oh yes, Levels, just appeared on sister site too :)
     
    boogiewoogie, Oct 30, 2016
    5
  7. type2002n

    type2002n Kapellmeister

    Joined:
    Apr 5, 2012
    Messages:
    110
    Likes Received:
    56
    Best Answer
    Hi.
    If it's FM radio, not web radio, keep în mind that high frequencies must not go over 15kHz, for technical reasons (FM uses a pilot 19khz frequency, etc.). Put a brickwall filter/eq that cuts absolutely everything over 15k, and... remaster the track to sound good. Also, cut the subsonics, frequencies under 20Hz - I guess that's the cause for the mentioned wobbling. You' ll probably get an immediate boost în audible bass, that requires eq'ing. Don't assume anything about the station's equipment - ask them. They can use compression, limiting, saturation, and sometimes stereo processing. That's why generic 'FM radio airplay' is a lottery, soundwise. Usually, it's better to have a conventional waveform, '80s style. But with today' s modern lawn-mower loudness, that everyone uses... Anyway, use the most transparent limiter, like ozone's loudness maximizer, type II algorithm (not III, it can introduce artifacts), preferably pumping (not clipping), transparent to very slow character, (with intersample detection on), dither with mbit+ or type1 clear, and go very light on the transients - as mild as possible, to avoid distortion on the FM, especially If it's an acoustic track. Use a tape simulator, like ozone7's, or satin. Or you can also use the 'finality advanced' from jst, sounds extremely analog, a very transparent vst, it can substitute any virtual tape machine. Dither only once, after all other processing is done, and never touch that track again. Anyway, leave a little headroom, like -0.3 dB, and never go over -10dB RMS with the loudness, to keep the track 'alive'.
     
    Last edited: Oct 30, 2016
    type2002n, Oct 30, 2016
    6
  8. boogiewoogie

    boogiewoogie Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Sep 15, 2012
    Messages:
    477
    Likes Received:
    197
    Thanks very helpful advice!
     
    boogiewoogie, Oct 30, 2016
    7
  9. kjfarrell

    kjfarrell Platinum Record

    Joined:
    Oct 6, 2014
    Messages:
    248
    Likes Received:
    159
    Depending on what country you are in, but it's a safe bet to just go with these settings. Aim for -11 RMS and -1db headroom.

    So for more info here are the standards you should look up. If you are serious about mastering for radio you should concentrate on R128, it's the most strict.

    Americas = Calm ACT A/85 @ -23LKFS
    Japan = A/85 @ -24LKFS
    Australia & New Zealand = OP-59
    Europe = R128
     
    kjfarrell, Oct 30, 2016
    8
Loading...
Similar Threads - Mastering radioplay Forum Date
SonicMaster - open source AI "mastering" Ai for Music Friday at 8:16 AM
AP Mastering believes the plugin industry has coordinated an attack against him Lounge Aug 16, 2025
Mixing and mastering live from mono source Mixing and Mastering Aug 3, 2025
How common is automation at the mastering stage? Mixing and Mastering Jul 24, 2025
any great plugins by Mastering The Mix? Software Jul 15, 2025
Loading...