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WHAT
IS MASTERING?
Interesting Article: "On-Line
Mastering Services Shootout"
Mastering, a form of audio post-production, is the process
of preparing and transferring recorded audio from a source
containing the final mix to a data storage device (the master);
the source from which all copies will be produced (via methods
such as pressing, duplication or replication).
You will find many mastering services online, and I drool
at the list of gear that some of theses guys say they have,
but I work primarily in the digital domain (In the box).
When
I released my song "When It Rains" I had my song
mastered at Abbey Road Studios using their online
service, but before I sent my original WAV file
to them I mastered a version myself in my own studio.
You can hear the various versions using the players
on the right.
What
struck me was I found very little difference between
my version and Abbey's. I'm pretty sure I'm not
tone deaf and I consider myself pretty fussy when
it comes to sounds.
I had applied a little more bass than Abbey Road
but I really wanted to feel my bass. Was this wrong
or just a matter of taste?
Obviously
there is a certain Kudos having Abbey Roads master
your songs, and on a great system you can hear the
difference, but it is subjective.
Would
I use them again? Probably, as I would recommend
another pair of skilled ears.
So
I am offering my "skills" to others who would like
a cost effective mastering solution backed by a guarantee
that I wil refnd your money if your not happy.
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How
Does it Work?
- Upload
your song(s) as uncompressed WAV or AIFF. (44.1k up to
96k, 16 or 24 bit), using link above.
- Include
a brief description of what you think the song needs. Make
reference to a particular track or suggest a couple of reference
CDs that are commercially available and provide the sound
you are going for.
- I will
confirm whether I can master your track and request payment
before I start work.
- I
will master your track(s) and provide a WAV (16Bit /44.1Khz)
to Red
Book Standard and send an "incomplete" version
to you for review.
- If
you think it needs a little tweaking let me know. I want
you to be happy, although I have to point out I can't
work miracles with a bad mix.
- Once
you are happy I will upoad "full track" for you
to download. In the unlikely event that I cannot provide
you with a sound you like I not upload full track and will
refund you your money.
- Studio
Rates can be seen here.
Some
Important Notes
- For
mastering please don't send me compressed WAV files as
I need some headroom to work with. Also don't send MP3s.
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If you have several songs and you need them mastered,
arranged with CD-Text, PQ, UPC,
MCN and ISRC
coding for reproduction on to a master CD then no problem.
But you will need your own codes. Download the mastering
cue sheet here.
Glossary
PQ coding:
Process for adding pause, cue and other subcode information
to a digital master in preparation for CD manufacturer.
MCN:
Media Catalog Number (One per media)
UPC: Universal Product Code (One per media)
ISRC:
International Standard Recording (One per track)
CD-Text:
Adding text to track that can be read by certain CD players.
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