Mixing tips, special discounts and more!
Get connected with Sound 29:
Get connected with Sound 29:
What is online mastering?
Mastering is a series of processes which will make a good mix translate well on most playback systems. This is required to ensure that your song will sound good on everything from mp3 players through radio stations to audiophile systems.
Is online mastering magic that turns dust into gold?
No. The aim of mastering is not to correct errors but to make a great mix sound brilliant and compatible. If your mix have problems check out my online mixing services to get rid of them.
How is your online mastering service different from other studios'?
Like most mastering engineers I have my own sonic signiture which my clients love. During mastering I always go for a clean and dynamic sound with punchy bass, well defined mid-range and smooth, silky high-end. Your masters will not only translate well on different playback systems but they will also sound big and alive.
Do you offer audio CD authoring and CD premastering?
Yes, as a separate service which contains:
- Professional sample rate and bit depth conversion to 44.1kHz 16bit with dithering (when required)
- Peak limiting to -0.2 dBfs (when required)
- Setting fades and pause between tracks (when required)
- Adding CD Text, UPC/EAN and ISRC (on request)
- DDP 2.0 CD image creation with md5 and crc32 checksums
- Cue/bin image creation (cue sheet with binary file containing the audio CD tracks)
How can I send you my tracks for online mastering?
The most convenient option is using Dropbox. You can also ask for a unique FTP access on the Sound 29 server.
Technicalities: switch off all EQ, compressor, limiter, maximizer processors on the master bus. Send your files in uncompressed wave format and do not convert them to a different sample rate or bit depth from the original!
Are you a loudness warrior too, Peter?
Good news, I'm not! Unless demanded decisively I won't produce over-compressed, thin, harsh and hyper-loud masters. I'd rather go for smooth and dynamic.
Bonus 'retro master' included in every online mastering session!
Loudness war sucks. Although in many situations bands can't afford not taking part in it. And neither the mastering engineer can... Bands or their labels don't want to seem weaker than the competition by releasing quieter music compared to the mainstream, no matter what the compromises are to dynamic range, sonic detail and overall sound quality.
Luckily, more and more music lovers and fans realize the negative effects of loudness maximization and beg for bands to release an 'unmastered' version of their albums.
Listening to this growing need for 'unmastered' versions Sound 29 now includes a 'retro master' in every online mastering session! This means that only frequency balancing and minimal dynamic processing is involved in the 'retro' session, aiming only at improving sound quality and adding a uniform sound to the whole album.
The 'retro mastering' service is available as a free bonus for every 'Big boy' and 'Indie' online mastering session (learn more).