nostr:npub1q33jywkl8r0e5g48lvrenxnr3lw59kzrw4e7p0cecslqzwc56eesjymqu0 i sent a couple demo tracks to a label. They came back and said ‘I need to apply some basic limiting and compression to mimic mastering cause I’m missing a lot of pressure in the tunes’. Not for music skills in the way of mastering. I’m using Ableton. Do you know what they mean by this? Anything ‘basic’ that I can do?
Discussion
Do you just have the stock plugins? Here I use a couple of Plugin Alliance (BX Townhouse compressor and BX True Peak Limiter) bits to get the level up and that also measures the loudness level.
On Ableton stock plugins I'd probably start with the Glue Compressor with 30s attack, Release set to A. Ratio set to 2:1 and no more than 2dB compression. Then add the limiter after and adjust that until you hear it spoiling the track, then dial it back a bit.
To measure the levels there's a free plugin called Youlean Loudness Meter, that measures the output 'loudness' so have that last in the chain after the limiter. I typically aim for -12dB LUFs when I'm sending 'listen copies' which is generally loud enough for most people but if you can get it louder with the limiter without destroying the track then probably a good idea. If it's a EDM type track probably best to go a bit louder but be careful not to ruin the sound.
Another option would be
You just upload and it gives you a variety of options based on what your needs are. It comes with the Plugin Alliance subscription but you might be able to try for free.
I've used this before to help me compare my own masters. I think it's certainly good enough for projects where the label isn't funding the mastering!