Quick Answer
Use separate instrument and vocal premasters before Final Mix. Keep Final Mix subtle. Use Print Before Limiter for tiny translation moves and metering. Use the Limiter Bus for loudness and true peak safety only.
Overview
What replaced the old premaster / master model
The older documentation implied one generic premaster and one broad master stage. That is no longer accurate. Instrument Premaster and Vocal Premaster are separate. Final Mix glues them together. Print Before Limiter handles translation and metering. Limiter Bus handles loudness.
Step by Step
Approved Final Routing
Tracks feed group buses.
Groups feed Instrument Premaster and Vocal Premaster separately.
Those stages feed Final Mix, which sends to Final Mix Parallel and outputs to Print Before Limiter.
Print Before Limiter then feeds the Limiter Bus, which finally feeds Stereo Out.
Plugin Examples
What belongs in each final stage
Final Mix: optional Logic Channel EQ and Waves SSL G-Master Bus Compressor only.
Print Before Limiter: Logic Channel EQ for tiny Mid/Side moves, Logic MultiMeter, optional UAD Ampex ATR-102.
Limiter Bus: TDR Limiter 6 GE with clipper, peak limiter, and output modules only.
Stock Logic Alternatives
What stays valid in stock Logic
Logic Channel EQ remains the print-stage translation tool.
Logic MultiMeter remains the correct place to meter the pre-limiter mix.
Logic Compressor can cover light Final Mix glue if the SSL plugin is unavailable.
Avoid These
Outdated ideas that were removed
God Particle on Final Mix or on a generic premaster.
Limiter or soothe2 on Final Mix.
Heavy EQ on Print Before Limiter or creative tone shaping on the Limiter Bus.