Mastering Recommendation?

Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 4:19 pm

I am finishing up an R&B / Urban Pop album and am in need of a reputable mastering house. I am definitely on a budget, but for reference, several of my favorite albums were mastered by Brian Gardner at Bernie Grundman and Chris Gehringer at Sterling Sound.

Below are two wav files mixed to 16-Bit 44.1kHz around -5dB. They are rough mixes just to demonstrate the music. One file is dry and the other has Waves Plug-Ins on the Main Bus. As you may be able to ascertain, the album has a sci-fi/space feel.

·5trk Mastering Demo Dry 26.71MB 2:35 wav

·5trk Mastering Demo wPlugins 26.71MB 2:35 wav

Budget: < $1,000

·17 Tracks (First track is only 44 seconds and only features a computer voice and a few Sound Idea effects—no music)

·55 to 60 minutes sequenced and gapless

·24-Bit, 48kHz

·Plenty of headroom

·Will deliver week of April 13th with UPC and ISRC Codes (Currently finishing up recording and mixing)

·Interested in possibility of separations, but it’s not a must

·Possibility of one or two instrumental versions (for singles)

What I am looking for in mastering:

·Informed use of compression, limiting, and EQ (I have access to great plug-ins but don’t want to just slap a bunch of stuff on the main bus)

·Consistency between tracks

·Good translation on multiple listening systems (i.e. consumer headphones to higher end systems)

·Loud is okay, but I don’t want to completely kill the dynamics

There are so many “mastering” options out there, so I appreciate any recommendation responses or PM’s. Thanks!

Moderator Joined: Sep 12, 2002 Posts: 1947 Location: NYC

I would first approach the 3 you mentioned and see what they can do as far as price for you, you never know.

There are a lot of options out there so I would get recommendations from people you know. By throwing it out there, you'll probably get bombarded with every kind of mastering house there is, so you're kind of back to sifting through it. There are many good places to choose from and will make sure you are happy with the results.

Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 6:32 am

Something like Ozone produces a very good sound. And the presets provide form a very good starting place.

Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 8:07 am

Juno60 wrote:

Something like Ozone produces a very good sound. And the presets provide form a very good starting place.

OH boy, you're just asking for it aren't you? Rolling Eyes

voyager wrote:

don't want to just slap a bunch of stuff on the main bus)

Apparently Voyager is looking for professional advice.

Posted: Sat May 23, 2009 9:33 am

Juno60's sig speaks volumes.

Why don't you try George Wohng's W1 Limiter? VERY GOOD PLUGIN TO MAKE SOUND GOOD

Posted: Sun May 24, 2009 8:43 pm

Codemonkey wrote:

Juno60's sig speaks volumes.

Hah! VOLUMES - I get it. Laughing

Posted: Wed Jun 03, 2009 8:05 pm

<U$1000 for 17 songs + instrumental versions an so.. you are asking for a Santa Claus gift.

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 4:58 am

I get requests for me to master 24 songs and the ARTIST wants to spend $200. Lots of people today want something for nothing. It is a WAL-MART world.

Posted: Thu Jun 04, 2009 5:32 am

Just ask if they would be willing to play at your birthdays´s party for U$100.

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 5:29 am

I agree with Codemonkey - Why don't you try George Wohng's W1 Limiter?

Posted: Wed Jun 17, 2009 6:46 am

pauladam wrote:

I agree with Codemonkey - Why don't you try George Wohng's W1 Limiter?

I just tried it, pretty sweet and its free! Laughing

Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:35 am

(spam. edited by mod)

Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 7:49 am

Wow -
2 posts so far and both SPAM!!

You know you're about to get your a$$ handed to you?!

This is a SMALL world - discredit yourself here with a bunch of crappy SPAMMING and you'll see whatever little business you may have trickle off.......

You're welcome to stick around and contribute, but linking to your website is NOT contributing, it's called being a dick.

J.

Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:41 am

And the sad part is Cucco, his website isn't even that, it seems like he has a better setup then a lot of other people I have seen offering 'mastering'...

Has to ruin the image he has by spamming.

Posted: Thu Jul 02, 2009 9:56 am

I know...you wouldn't expect to see a Spammer with Manley and Masselec gear...

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