If I were in your shoes, I would ask myself why (or why not) should the stuff be mastered? Better yet, what is the band trying to accomplish with a demo? Just get local gigs? Regional gigs? Local radio? College radio? etc., and budget accordingly.

If it's just for fun or gig "auditions", I don't think it needs mastered. I think it sounds fine the way it is. If you really want to impress a record label, radio station, or someone who goes through 100 demos a day, then yes, have it mastered. Just so it "competes" better than the disc they just stopped listening to.

As to who should do it, there's plenty of people on this board who are VERY good.

Good luck.

Our plans for this is too promote us, but mainly for the use of people to listen to. So having the demo sound as good as it can is what were going for. So can anybody give me a quote?

Josh

I'd prefer you email individuals directly rather than start a bidding thing in a thread.

Sorry my bad, like I said I'm pretty lost with all this stuff and just want a push in the right direction. No one has to post about anything like that I just wanted some advice. Thanks
Josh

No problem, just a reminder. The best thing to start with is to visit some of the ME's websites, you can start with the ones in this forum if you want. Some list their rates, some don't. Don't be afraid to drop them an email with rate questions or any other questions you might have. They'll be more than happy to answer all of them. Rates will vary depending on numerous things.

I think the track is worth getting mastered! It sounds pretty good but could use an ME's gentle touch.

As no one really is allowed to whore themselves here for services without having paid advertising dollars (fair), you would really be on your own as to doing your homework. As such, I never mind getting personal inquiries from RO members and I'm sure none of the other dudes here do either. (gentle whoring - non-abrassive... :lol: )

BTW - If I were to receive this mix, the first thing I would have you do would be a remix. Everything is WAY too pegged to begin with. I'm sure others could manage with this but would probably also prefer a less pegged mix.

By which I mean...
(Dead Link Removed)
All those flat tops... :cry:

If you want a heavily limited tune, let me (or the ME) do the limiting, please don't shove the wave into whatever limiter you have in your DAW.

In general, I would even say that, if you were simply to back the whole main bus volume down until you no longer saw square waves (unless your individual tracks were clipping too), that would even be workable. If you recorded in 24 bit, there's plenty enough info to rebuild the dynamics in post or mastering. Even if you recorded in 16 bit, there's still plenty of dynamics to work with.

Just my thoughts.

J.

I don't think I would bother if I were you. It sounds decent enough for passing out to friends or whatever. But there are some issues (drums&bass mainly; guitars&vox are OK) that should probably be fixed in the mix first. At least wait till you have the means to have a studio remix it and plans for distributing a decent # of copies. Mastering should only be, I don't know, say 15% of your total budget for getting your album made.

ZOINKS!!! (@ that wave display) That's crushed. I'd send it back too.

thanks for all the help, im quite confident in what I want to do now.
Josh