Tips for Smoothing an R&B Track Using only Filters | Mike Wells

Audio mastering engineer Mike Wells (Green Day, Prince) demonstrates how to smooth out the top-end while preserving and tightening the bottom after adding lots of gain to an R&B track from artist Preston Scales. Mike uses only the high and low pass filter sections of his Dangerous BAX EQ shelving equalizer.

You'll hear examples with the shelving EQ section flat to show how the right filters applied at the right frequencies can serve the intent and spirit of the original mix while making the track compete like a radio hit.

"Once I get this track up to commercial gain levels, I am afraid the high end 'breath' of the vocals is going to be a little too much. I want to make sure the claps stay in place and don't become too abrasive, all while taming the sub bass and keeping it intact as well. With the BAX EQ filters I’m keeping the top - and bottom - end true to where they are in the mix," says Mike.

Mike Wells began mastering in the late 90's, opening Mike Wells Mastering in San Francisco, CA in early 2001. After a decade of service in the Bay Area, Mike Wells Mastering relocated to the epicenter of the music industry, Los Angeles - CA. His Recording Artist roster includes Green Day, Prince, Tony Sly, Tommy Guerrero, along with Production Music companies Google, Apple, Megatrax Production Music, and Angry Mob Music. Mike has served on the Board of Governors for the NARAS (Grammy) association, President of the Los Angeles Audio Engineering Society (AES) chapter, and Chairman of many AES Convention divisions. With a studio hosting an array of boutique, modified, and self-designed equipment, Mike Wells Mastering offers Music, Production, and Stem Mastering services to the Indie, Professional, and Production music markets.

Visit: http://www.mikewellsmastering.com