what is mastering?

Mastering is often a fairly misunderstood process, especially in more recent times with such strong emphasis placed upon its importance.

It has however, always been an important process. In the days of disc cutting (making vinyl records) the Mastering Engineer had to be familiar with the operation of the cutting lathe as well as the limitations imposed by the vinyl medium.

In todays digital age, traditional mastering values remain the same. It's the final opportunity to hear your master on an accurate set of monitor speakers. To make any final enhancements to the dynamics and, if necessary, process the sound to get the best possible result from the medium to which it is being recorded. This ensures that it stands up competitively against other product. Attending the mastering session provides the opportunity to discuss and participate in this process.

red book standard?

If you intend to replicate audio to cd, in most cases you will need a "Red Book Standard" master. This ensures that the finished cd's conform to the original compact disc audio standard and are compatable with as many players as possible.

We have been creating Red Book CD Masters for many years, originally using the Sony PCM1630 Umatic format (well before cd-recordable media was even being used in New Zealand!!!). We ensure that all our masters meet (and exceed) the required standard.

what monitoring do we use?

Our primary monitors are Altc Lansing 604-G's ( 15" Duplex ).

The Altec Duplex is arguably the most famous speaker driver ever made, and sets the standard for critical monitoring applications. Through the 1950's, and into the 1970's, the 604 was used by more recording and broadcast studios than all other monitor systems combined. It remained in continuous production from 1943 to 1998.

Secondary monitos are JBL 4412-A's, also a well respected studio reference monitor.

can anyone master?

Many underestimate what it takes to make an excellent sounding recording. Learning to engineer and master music well is like becoming the master of an instrument. Natural talent and thousands of hours of practice under the guidance of an expert is what makes the difference.

Jason has over 10 years full time experience in this field, many under the guidance and critical ear of late great Eldred Stebbing. Eldred took many artists to the top of the charts in both New Zealand and Australia and continued to run one of the most succesful recording facilities in the country to date.

A skilled mastering engineer can make a good recording sound excellent, and possibly turn a great one into a legend. Check out Jases Mastering Discography here.