Boss Audio Systems DIGITAL RECORDING STUDIO BR-1600CD - Manual (Page 129)

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Section 2
Using the Mastering Tool Kit
The Mastering Tool Kit
When creating a CD, it is crucial that the overall volume of the song be reduced in order to allow its loudest parts to be recorded
without any degradation of sound quality. However, this reduction in volume can often result in CDs that lack power and punch.
In addition, since our ears are not as sensitive to sound in the lower range of frequencies, it may be difficult to hear these sounds
even if the level meter indicates maximum volume, and this factor also hinders the production of powerful-sounding CDs.
The Mastering Tool Kit contained within the BR-1600CD provides a means of eliminating this type of problem so that you can
easily create great-sounding CDs. When you use this Mastering Tool Kit, you will be able to smooth out volume fluctuations in
your songs and balance the sound in the lower range of frequencies. It is highly recommended, therefore, that you always use the
Mastering Tool Kit to master your songs before creating audio CDs.
Audio CDs can be created without using the Mastering Tool Kit, and you can choose whether or not to use it.
If you are new to the BR-1600CD’s Mastering Tool Kit, refer first of all to “Adjusting volume and compression for CD writing
(Mastering Tool Kit)” (Basic Operation; p. 58). This section provides a more detailed description of the Mastering Tool Kit.
Makeup of the Mastering Tool Kit
The Mastering Tool Kit comprises the following effect blocks.
fig.36-01
Of these, the effect block that plays the most important role is the three-band compressor. Broadly speaking, the frequencies in a
musical performance can separated into the following three bands or regions:
• The low-band, which contains the sounds of the kick drum, bass guitar, and other instruments that provide the basic song
rhythm.
• The middle band, which contains the sounds of the vocals, and the lead guitars and other instruments that play melodies.
• The high-band, which contains the sounds of the hi-hats, cymbals, and the like.
In order to do what is required of them, instruments must be played with varying rhythms and volumes. All of these different
performances are combined to produce the music played by a band (or ensemble).
If a compressor were to be applied over the complete frequency range of such a group performance in order to keep its volume
within the limits suitable for burning to an audio CD, the natural-sounding nature of some of the performances could be
impaired. For example, the volume of the kick drum could cause the compressor to modify the volume of melodic instruments, or
the volume of the lead guitar could cause the compressor to modify the volume of the bass guitar. By dividing the overall
performance into three frequency bands and using a different compressor with each band, volume peaks can be suppressed
without making the performances sound processed or unnatural. In addition to this type of three-band compressor, the BR-
1600CD’s Mastering Tool Kit also features a number of other effect blocks that will come in handy when you are adjusting the
volume and presence of your songs.
Track
9/10
Playback
sound
INPUT
BASS CUT
FILTER
BASS CUT
FILTER
BASS CUT
FILTER
ENHANCER EQ GAIN MIXER LIMITER
CLIP/
DITHER
EX-
PANDER
COMP-
RESSOR
GAIN
EX-
PANDER
COMP-
RESSOR
GAIN
EX-
PANDER
COMP-
RESSOR
DIVIDER MIX
L/R
High-band
Middle band
Low-band
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