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Mastering is the final step in the production of an album or single. It is a vital process that ensures maximum impact on the end listener. Attention is paid not only to the sound of each individual track, but to the overall consistency and continuity from track to track, to achieve a smooth flowing, level-matched CD.
The main objective is to achieve optimum sound quality and level for the project. The mastering engineer has many options available including equalizers, dynamics processors and stereo enhancers.
The comprehensive editing capabilties of the Pro Tools HD Workstations allow precise music editing to alter the arrangement of a track, or edit between different takes to compile the ideal mix. For example, you may do a mix that you are happy with, except for one or two parts. Rather than remix the entire track, you can concentrate on parts that weren't quite right, mix them down to tape and we can edit them together in mastering.
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We also encourage clients to do "vocal up" and "vocal down" mixes so that if you're unsure of where the vocal should sit in the mix, you can save this decision until the mastering session. You may wish to use your vocal up mix in the choruses and the vocal down mix in the verses for example. The same can be done for other instruments in the mix; - bass, drums, guitars, brass, strings, etc. The possibilities are endless and we recommend you give yourself as many options as possible.
For tracks that are going to have a fade-out, we suggest that you leave this until the mastering session, where precise, non-destructive editing allows us to audition the fade before committing to it. Fade-outs also sound better if they are done at this later stage, with 24-bit digital accuracy, and after all processing has been applied.
How long does it take? For singles & EP's you should allow one hour per song. An album will usually take between 6 and 10 hours. This is intended as a guide only, and the addition of music editing, cross fading etc. will extend the time required.
For output at the end of the session we recommend:
1 x CD-R PMCD Production Master
1 x CD-R Reference Copy
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DIGITAL EDITING SYSTEM
Our mastering signal chain is essetially analoge, We use protools HD 2XL, with an appogee Big Ben clock and Apogee D/A 16X as our 24 bit file playback into our analoge gear. OUTBOARD
1x Manley 'Massive Passive' Stereo EQ
1x Manley 'Variable-Mu' Limiter / Compressor
TC Electronics Finalizer Plus 96K Stereo Multiband Processor
Apogee AD/DA 24 Bit Converters
MACHINES & RECORDERS
Tascam DA 60 Dat Recorder
Sony CDP XA2es CD Player With Optical Out
Sony TC-17K5s Cassette Recorder
MONITORING
Chris Winchcombe Custom System - With Dual Active 12 Inch Sub Monitoring.
Klark Teknik DN 60 Spectrum Analyser
Buzz Audio Custom Pre Amplifier Monitor
MASTERING ENGINEER
Chris Winchcombe
jeremy@yorkstreet.co.nz
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