Mastering, what are you using?

[SubFunk]

I try to focus on getting the mix as near to perfect as I can, then slap a mastering limiter (usually Elephant) on. I figure if I want real mastering I'll be a lot better off if I know how to get the mix right, and then pay a professional to do it.

That's the way to go!

[solacerodgers]

Since we are on the topic and I keep seeing the word let me ask you what do you think is a professional mastering engineer? I dont consider myself a professional by any means but I have spent a year working at a mastering house in atlanta and went to college before that to get my degree in music techonolgy ( basically engineering but it cant be called that ) and have worked for 3 studios and now run my own small in home studio but even with those 9 years of music training I dont consider myself a professional because I do not do it every day and I do not have the access to the equipment that I think a good mastering house should. So in short what makes a professional, what is the minimun requirements you would trust someone with to master your music as well?

[Tarekith]

To me a professional mastering engineer is someone who makes their living mastering the recordings of professional musicians (ie, people who make THEIR living writing and releasing music).

[solacerodgers]

I was reading the mastering engineers handbook a while ago and some of the interview questions were about what "qualifies" someone to master audio so i was just wondering the opinions of people but I agree Its someone who does it day in and day out for a living.

[leedsquietman]

+1

In most cases, they will also have focused the majority of their time and effort on this element of audio processing, as opposed to mainly being a recording or mix engineer over a period of time.

I have done music technology courses too, but apart from a short spell working part time at a studio in the 90s where I was mostly tape editing and setting up room mics, I have preferred my career in education, which has been a good solid living - working in music is a very hard way to earn a living, with much uncertainty. I have also done 2 mastering courses.

I don't consider myself a ME, but will do my software mastering (or mix finalizing as it should really be called, yet everyone calls it 'mastering') occasionally for friends, in a similar vein to Tarekith. I don't have the room or outboard gear to come near to the monitoring environment a real top Mastering facility has, but I can enhance mixes from novice and some intermediate users/producers/engineers, with some fairly nice monitors and an acoustically treated room and do the other mastering things - making a red book compliant CD, creating PQ lists for duplication, edits/fades, getting a consistent volume and track compilation etc. And obviously, the cost reflects this - mastering an album from a top mastering house is typically $1500-$2000 US$ and if the ME is a top name in the field, then times this by 3 or 4. The service Tarekith and Nebulae and I provide is more of a 300-500 dollar affair for an album. And 100-180 for an EP. I know Sony Mastering in New York had offered online mastering recently at 99 dollars per track (but to a maximum of 4 tracks), a service which they have now withdrawn.

[SuperBassMexican]

Do it on a full moon!

[bodhi71]

Do it on a full moon!

Ah this makes more sense to me...
Yeah a full moon when you got sparklies in you're eyes and and a fist full of magick.
Anyhowz, how about literature? What is the "holy grail" for mastering?
I've kicked schooling around a bit, but I still haven't wrapped my head around Live fully enough to feel it's justified to attend proper, looking to expand basic understanding.
It's cool to know what people dig to master with, some things I've never heard of, some I have.
I have a ton of Wave vst's but won't use them, they aren't legit, they work great but I don't feel good about using them, Damn moral compass.

[leedsquietman]

The Mastering BIBLE is 'Mastering Audio - The Art And The Science' (2nd edition) by Bob Katz, (p) Focal Press 2008 (originally published in 2002)

The Second Edition has LOTS of extra information and updated processes etc. The book is designed for experienced users and is a bit of a difficult read for a novice, but it is THE definitive guide.


Another great book is 'The Mastering Engineer's Handbook' by Bobby Owsinki (his Mixing Engineer's Handbook 2nd edition is also fab) is another great read, which is a bit less technical.

[Superchibisan]

DDMF LP10 EQ, Ozone 4, vitage warmer, xenon limiter.

turns out some rather pleasant results.