To all you mastering guys out there: I'm thinking about putting together a mastering setup. I know what I want in the way of analog gear, but what are my options other than Sonic, or Sadie, for a good sounding, resonably priced DAW? If I go for a system that doesn't run with it's own hardware, other than a bitchin' computer and some great coverters, what is the best sounding interface card?

What is the average rate for mastering? Do you charge for Hard drive space as well as hours? What expenses do you incure that you need to charge for etc etc...I just mastered a Spanish Church band for a friend and it came out awesome!

hey all, first off hello...i'm new to this board..i'm from vancouver, bc..play guitar in local band "definition" and i do some freelance engineering whenever possible.. on to the question..

I have received 3 CD/Mail offset checks and 14 people as of today are signed up...and I have everyones address so far. Those who have sent me something...THANK YOU! For those who have not..I am standing by. If you want to include something with your return project (those who I have not received anything yet) Let me know...so you will be in the running.

I haven't actually mastered anything yet myself, nor do I think that I am any good at it. But most of my clients at the studio (in Asuncion, Paraguay) ask me to "master" their stuff. I usually try to refuse to put any attempt in "serious mastering." Most of these projects are VERY low budgets proyects that, in all likelyhood, will NOT get mastered.

OK I have a Microboards 4 bay StartRec stand-alone (has a hard drive) CDR buner that does:

1 x
4 x
8 x

Speeds.

So, speed? Duplicators? Errors? Checking them?

I mean it's digital aint it?

So it should be perfect!

I do know one thing, media is of primary importance, I make sure I use the recomended CDR's for it.

there max power is 70 watts each, i have a stereo receiver givin it power now..is that good enuff?

For the ones that have never had the fine opportunity to sit in during a mastering proccess, :( what are basic chain of events that take place from the time you open the package containing the song/s?

Ok. as many of you have learned.. my primary function is mastering.

Now through this long and eventful career. I have done just about all of it. FOH, Voice production/punches, huge live mixes (75+channels), huge studio mixes (90+channels)...worked in the 70's/80's/90's...00's too.

Now...here is the point:

I'm in Seattle and would like to learn some of the finer points of mastering. I've mixed and mastered several records and a bunch of projects and have a good grasp of audio engineering, but I'd like to learn more about mastering from a pro.