Mastering

FruitarGeek · 2013-07-18T15:35:10+00:00

I need some Mastering done on tracks I am to be releasing soon. I'd like to know ALL my available options. I've done overseas mastering and now I'd like to keep it local, mainly cause my budget can't afford overseas again ? Can you help identify as many businesses who do mastering. I'm sure this will come in handy for others too. So, to kick off: TL Mastering www.mastering.co.za Kelsey Mastering www.kelseymastering.com Timecode Mastering www.timecode.co.za/mastering/

sharonzaz

Arno West wrote Yes, yes mastering Mp3 files...I know, I know. This is just an experiment people. I said mp3's cos I didn't wanna waste my meagre 2 gig databundle for the month on downloading hi-quality wavs. Like I explained to Adrian, if I can get to within 90 percent of the "Pro"/Paid for-product, I'll be happy.

but you cant. once that compression come in and takes away the tone (and it does) youre not gonna get the full result you want and need.
no matter how you look at it, the ONLY way to do this right is to work with 24bit 44.1KHZ files and nothing else.
anything else and youll be wasting your time.

Mixerboy

sharonzaz wrote
Arno West wrote Yes, yes mastering Mp3 files...I know, I know. This is just an experiment people. I said mp3's cos I didn't wanna waste my meagre 2 gig databundle for the month on downloading hi-quality wavs. Like I explained to Adrian, if I can get to within 90 percent of the "Pro"/Paid for-product, I'll be happy.
but you cant. once that compression come in and takes away the tone (and it does) youre not gonna get the full result you want and need.
no matter how you look at it, the ONLY way to do this right is to work with 24bit 44.1KHZ files and nothing else.
anything else and youll be wasting your time.

I think for a test full mp3 is more than fine, I've done blind tests on myself and others using 320 mp3 and 16bit 44.1 wav files, all I did was make the mp3 1db louder and unanimously it was chosen as sounding "better", so for testing a rough mastering chain or methods/taste I wouldn't have a problem with it, they're both still "digital audio" the one just has some stuff removed, getting too hung up about it is more the territory of the audiofool. If I send a guy an mp3 and he sends me an mp3 back that sounds MUCH better then I'll know when I send him the 24,9bit 98,633khz wav file using a special internet provider because the others "degrade the sound" (especially if you have to send it long distance like to Cape Town versus Durban), then I'll know when he sends me that wav file back it will likewise sound MUCH better.

AlanRatcliffe

Mixerboy wrote make the mp3 1db louder and unanimously it was chosen as sounding "better"

That's true of any comparison though.

I'm with Sharon on this one. Mp3 is too much of a compromise - there is a huge difference to the sound quality, frequency balance, etc. - even using Lame at 320kbs CBS. Fine for a final downloadable version (which IMO should be mastered differently anyway), but to take a compressed mp3, work on it with plugins (which probably have a 64 bit internal signal path) and then pass it through a lossy compression algorithm again to send it back is a bit too much of a compromise - especially for critical listening, and won't do the mastering engineer's abilities any favours at all.

PJH

Alan Ratcliffe wrote
Mixerboy wrote make the mp3 1db louder and unanimously it was chosen as sounding "better"
That's true of any comparison though.

I'm with Sharon on this one. Mp3 is too much of a compromise - there is a huge difference to the sound quality, frequency balance, etc. - even using Lame at 320kbs CBS. Fine for a final downloadable version (which IMO should be mastered differently anyway), but to take a compressed mp3, work on it with plugins (which probably have a 64 bit internal signal path) and then pass it through a lossy compression algorithm again to send it back is a bit too much of a compromise - especially for critical listening, and won't do the mastering engineer's abilities any favours at all.

Couldn't agree more, Alan.

Mixerboy

I'm not sure you guys really know what mastering even is, I think you should watch this:

AlanRatcliffe

Mixerboy wrote I'm not sure you guys really know what mastering even is

Uh-huh! ?

FruitarGeek

Great. Sent the tracks to Arno, as well as the hired gun. Looking forward to the results. I don't suppose there is a way to embed the songs onto a thread, or will I have to make use of links

V8

Adrian Rogowski wrote Great. Sent the tracks to Arno, as well as the hired gun. Looking forward to the results. I don't suppose there is a way to embed the songs onto a thread, or will I have to make use of links

Excellent, look forward to the listening to the results!

Soundcloud is always good - could also box.net a zip/rar of the three versions & send a pm with a d/l link?

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