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Hey everyone,

I know it is really ballsy to ask for free mastering, but here is the story. I'm donating time to a band that was my first client to record an album. These guys are a bunch of really talented high school kids that play on borrowed gear, and they come from really low income households. Each of their stories sucks more than the next...and me being brought up in poverty with a single parent that only made 15k/year to take care of two kids and living in a one bedroom apartment with 6 people...it hits a soft spot. So I decided to give these guys a week to record all of their tunes (10 total).

I'd like to have the tracks mastered. nothing special...just a once over to give them something that they can be proud of and sell. On my end I'm going to do my best to make sure this is one hell of a recording (from a small home studio standpoint) so I'm hoping a once over won't be a lot of work. They've offered to pay me with what they sell, but I can't take their money...they don't even know that I'm asking for free mastering.

If anyone would like to hop on board let me know. like I said. I know it is nervey to ask this, but if there is someone that wants a guinea pig to practice mastering on...here is your chance!

Comments

JoeH Tue, 08/16/2005 - 23:10

Me too; I'd enjoy a shot at something like this. I don't always get to work on this sort of project, and it might be fun in the last few weeks of summer. (Plus you can just toss away my version, if you really hate it!)

Please go to my website and drop me an email if you're going to send it. You can use my PO Box (on the website) or contact me privately for the studio address.

I"m hoping you'll do your mixes at 24/96 or 24/44 and give the mixes to me on a DVD-ROM. (I can do a lot more that way, instead of 16/44 CDr's).

Good luck, however you go!

therecordingart Wed, 08/17/2005 - 20:13

Cool....today was good...we got some good drum sounds coming in. We spent the entire day just trying to get the drums coming into the board sounding as good as we can. We had one issue with the resonant head on the rack tom...after tuning and tuning...a maxi pad solved the problem.

Everything will be 44.1/24 bit. My computer is far too slow, and my converters aren't awesome so I'd rather play it safe.

David French Sun, 09/25/2005 - 20:04

How's this supposed to work? Three people mastering the same material? I see no need for three people to each do all the tracks, so perhaps tracks should be assigned to an individual? But, mastering is more that just putting an EQ curve on a sound; it is also about flow and continuity of the album as a whole, so what do you think?

anonymous Sun, 09/25/2005 - 22:32

if youre saying tracks to individual as in all to one person, yes.

i think maybe after recording one song he could let them all do a practice master and see which one he likes best. but its so great to see multiple people offering to help, seriously guys, you all rock, i wish i had the resources to do this.

anonymous Mon, 09/26/2005 - 06:01

BritBrian & Co.

hey all,
it's my first day here and I'd like to have some material mastered when it's in the can and mixed but am only able to barter credit and to spread your gospel in return.
Style is rock/pop.
I'm still in the phase of getting everything sorted out i.e midi/buses/mic positioning (my buddy let's me borrow his drum kit,Yamaha Recording 9000 5piece paiste and sabian cymbals).
I'm the only player/engineer/producer on this project and hope to yield an effective mix. cubase sx 2 does provide the apogee uv22 and a few other goodies, but to finalize a mix is probably more your forte than mine. Besides it would be nice to have a reference partner while tracking drums.
It'll also be nice to make new friends in the field. The chap up on the second blog mentioned to get the mix down on DVD...is there a forum for mixing down on different media?
This is my first time out recording on my own,I have done a few Demo's at pro facilities in the past but give it now a try at the DIY this time around, I'm sure you can relate, lol
Anyhow thanks for any tips or offers!

my gear:
cubase sx 2
mac G4 10.3.9
Mackie 1604VLZ
1 AKG C2000B
1 AKG D12e
1 Sennheiser MD 431
1 Sennheiser MKH 70
on a NAGRA3 (borrowed)
2 Samson C02
2 Shure SM57
1 Art MDStudio/Mic pre
Edirol UA25 I/O USB

Cucco Mon, 09/26/2005 - 19:09

Well, I see the point, but in my case, I'm all about helping out where I can. I'd love a whack at it!

Of course, I'm no Mike F. or Joe L. or Don G., but hell, for me to get there, I gotta play with somebody's thingy (I mean mix...)

So, send me 3 tracks or so and I'll give er a go! Work for free? Nah - I get to experiment and Art gets whatever shit (or gold) that I give back to him. win-win...

J.

anonymous Tue, 09/27/2005 - 05:40

Re: BritBrian & Co.

SPQR wrote: hey all,
it's my first day here and I'd like to have some material mastered when it's in the can and mixed but am only able to barter credit and to spread your gospel in return.
Style is rock/pop.
I'm still in the phase of getting everything sorted out i.e midi/buses/mic positioning (my buddy let's me borrow his drum kit,Yamaha Recording 9000 5piece paiste and sabian cymbals).
I'm the only player/engineer/producer on this project and hope to yield an effective mix. cubase sx 2 does provide the apogee uv22 and a few other goodies, but to finalize a mix is probably more your forte than mine. Besides it would be nice to have a reference partner while tracking drums.
It'll also be nice to make new friends in the field. The chap up on the second blog mentioned to get the mix down on DVD...is there a forum for mixing down on different media?
This is my first time out recording on my own,I have done a few Demo's at pro facilities in the past but give it now a try at the DIY this time around, I'm sure you can relate, lol
Anyhow thanks for any tips or offers!

my gear:
cubase sx 2
mac G4 10.3.9
Mackie 1604VLZ
1 AKG C2000B
1 AKG D12e
1 Sennheiser MD 431
1 Sennheiser MKH 70
on a NAGRA3 (borrowed)
2 Samson C02
2 Shure SM57
1 Art MDStudio/Mic pre
Edirol UA25 I/O USB

High buddy, send us a message to. digitalmastering@gmail.com
and we will sort something out.

Cheers.