Who would you use to master your hit?

[NealF]

I need some suggestions.

I've got a song that I don't want to master myself. It's worth spending the money on a pro master job. Who would be the best? Do they do single songs or just bigger projects?

Thanks.

[mikehalloran]

Since best is a subjective term, look for best for the song.

Search for records that sound like the way you want yours to sound. Usually not too difficult to find out who mastered them. Bob Ludwig and Bernie Grundman are probably the best known names but they haven't mastered everything (even if the buzz makes it seem like they have).

Most mix engineers will accept a single song, especially if you are flexible on scheduling and deadlines. The well known houses also have staff engineers and turning down paying customers doesn't fit into their business models.

BTW, if you want Bernie or Bob, their studios are easy to find online.

Bernie Grundman Mastering
http://www.berniegrundmanmastering.com/

Gateway Mastering (Bob Ludwig)
http://www.gatewaymastering.com/

[rickorick]

Try "Tonal Park"(They used to be "Airshow) in Takoma Park Maryland. They have done some of my friends CD's and I think the results are great.

[NealF]

Thanks, guys.

In the past I used a guy named Joe Gastwirt. Sounded good to my ears, but my problem is that it's really hard to tell how good it is since so many things come into play (volume, eq. etc.)

I can't really hear the difference between the "best" analog gear and the best digital.
So what I'm doing is going first with who has a great reputation. And, of course, how does it sound to me comes right after that.

I've had some of my recordings mastered by Bob Ludwig long ago when I was on RCA and other labels. But I was just a kid with a producer and didn't really pay much attention. But if he's no longer doing it hands on, I'm not sure it would't be just as good with another company. Dunno.

So for me, reputation comes even before my own ears.

Thanks.

[mikehalloran]

The big houses have staff engineers whose job is to maintain the reputation of the company. Otherwise, what’s the point?

Also consider that the biggest names are getting up there, agewise, along with their ears. To me, the reputation of the company and its current project list is far more important than if you’re using the same guy who mastered Tapestry 48 years ago.

[bayswater]

Abbey Road says they'll do it for (starting at) £90 (excluding VAT). They've done a few decent sounding recordings.

[NealF]

Agreed, Mike.

Thanks all.

[mikehalloran]

Abbey Road says they'll do it for (starting at) £90 (excluding VAT). They've done a few decent sounding recordings.

A friend is having his latest project done there this Spring. I don't know that he'll be getting Giles Martin, though.

[NealF]

I might try a couple of different people. This is a very important project for me so it's worth it to see if there's a difference.

[bayswater]

Abbey Road says they'll do it for (starting at) £90 (excluding VAT). They've done a few decent sounding recordings.

A friend is having his latest project done there this Spring. I don't know that he'll be getting Giles Martin, though.

Seems very cheap. I guess they run it through a standard strip and tweak some settings. I'd be interested to hear how it turns out. I have a couple of albums I'd like to have remastered.

[NealF]

That's what concerns me. Almost anything you get back louder will sound better.
It's like the old, turn up the high end. Then everything after that sounds dull.

I can A - B things to get a good head start, but the "golden ears" thing was never my specialty. That's why I rely on reputation (as well as my ears.)

[EMRR]

If it's a single song, and really important, definitely have a few people do it and use the one you like best.

[monkey man]

I second that, Doug.

It does raise the inevitable question, of course:
Wouldn't one then be best served to seek the opinions of, as Neal puts it, those with a great reputation, of the resulting masters as to which is "best"?

That's what I'd do if I had the dosh - 3 top-notch ME's, and then send the songs to 3 respected industry pro's (other ME's, producers, marketing gurus or what have you).

When it comes down to it 'though, in a practical sense, I can't help but believe that a single, well-respected ME could be used for the job, and the master, after having been scrutinised by one's self and peers, be sent to one talented, experienced individual for final appraisal - the gold seal, if you will. I think I'd be happy with that... as long as my own ears don't hear something they don't like!

I mean, it's gotta pass the "pub test" first, right?

EDIT:
OK, OK... maybe in my case it'd be a peanut gallery as opposed to a pub, but you get the idea.

Good luck, Neal. Sounds like this one's very important to you.

[NealF]

Thanks, Monkey Man.

That certainly would be cheaper. I think once I've done it with a few on the same song, I'd have enough certainty on who I liked to not have to do it on every project.

Yes, this is an important project for me. It's a song about human rights. I'm also creating the all animation music video.

[monkey man]

Whoa... you'll have to post it when you're done. Animation too?

Well done, man.