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 Plugins on the Main Bus. As you may be able to ascertain, the album has a sci-fi/space feel.
·[="http://www.zachkarl.com/masteringdemos/voyager_album_mastering_demo_dry.wav"]5trk Mastering Demo Dry 26.71MB 2:35 wav[/]="http://www.zachkarl…"]5trk Mastering Demo Dry 26.71MB 2:35 wav[/]
·[[url=http://="http://www.zachkarl… plugins.wav"]5trk Mastering Demo wPlugins 26.71MB 2:35 wav[/]="http://www.zachkarl… plugins.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 plugins 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!
Comments
Juno60 wrote: Something like Ozone produces a very good sound. A
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? :roll:
voyager wrote: don't want to just slap a bunch of stuff on the main bus)
Apparently Voyager is looking for professional advice.
Juno60's sig speaks volumes. Why don't you try George Wohng's W
Juno60's sig speaks volumes.
Why don't you try George Wohng's W1 Limiter? [[url=http://[/URL]="http://www.yohng.co…"]VERY GOOD PLUGIN TO MAKE SOUND GOOD[/]="http://www.yohng.co…"]VERY GOOD PLUGIN TO MAKE SOUND GOOD[/]
Wow - 2 posts so far and both SPAM!! You know you're about to
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.
I would first approach the 3 you mentioned and see what they can
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.