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We
get questions from all over the world about how to get the
best possible mix before mastering. There are many factors that go into
a really fine mix. Most of the time, it's much more effective for us to
just get into the session - using your Separations - and letting you
know if we find any problems. (Check the site map
to find any mixing tips that can help before mastering.) Just listening
to a stereo mix to help give you preliminary tips is vague at best. We
can say, "yes there's too much bottom end." But if we have your
Separations, we can actually work on that issue and then let you know
exactly what's going on... not just guess.
Here's
an example: If you send us a stereo mix, we don't look at the
waveforms and start doing "forensic" work. We just listen for some
glaring issue, which usually, most mixes have good qualities. On the
other hand, IT'S COMMON that when we get Separations, we'll find that
the drums can be OUT-OF-POLARITY -- either with respect to the other
drums, or with respect to the whole kit. Now we can get somewhere. We can
let you know about that particular issue and let you know how it stacks
up with the other tracks. it's just not practical to do that with a
stereo mix. It's possible, but not practical.
We've
found
that Separation Mastering is so effective at addressing mix issues that
it's just best to begin the process. We can find out more faster, and
send you a mastered file for you to listen to. Now you can respond to
our work. It's just a faster way to get the optimum results you want
anyway.
Key:
With Separations, we are able to get to know the details of your
recording project. Often we'll do different enhancements for guitars
and bass than we do for drums and vocals. As we get to know your
recordings more, we can make suggestions
on your tracks that can help a lot. In the end, you come out
with more than just a master here. You come out with a better
understanding of what to improve on for your next recording! You have
knowledge and
understanding that very few other mastering engineers will spend the
time to tell you.
"Using
Separations was
a great experience - it made my songs come to life."
- Brad Rosenblum,
OC,
California
"With Separations,
my music
suddenly put on a lively, punchy professional overcoat."
- Dr. Olu Femi,
Atlanta, GA
"The mastered version really put the
final
sheen on the project. The cliché about removing the veil from
the front of your speakers - it's true. I knew I didn't have the skills
to do this, and I'm
glad we had John do it. He's a very
easy guy to work with - very accommodating, friendly, and intuitive."
-Larry
from Shaker
Heights, Ohio
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What about a fixed
all-included price with no charge for extra mastering work? Frankly, a
one-price "deal" means (any studio is) being motivated to get it done, not do it right. If you're on a tight
budget, we'll get you great results at the price point you need.
We
estimate
that it can take 6 to 9 hours for 12 songs. Most of the time 12 songs
will take 6 to 8 hours - but it can go 9 -12 hours depending on
many factors. Our package prices are here.
One
of the
ways that mastering really becomes magic is when the whole
album is taken into account. How does the last song feel next to the
first? How does the middle song sound compared to the 2nd to the last,
or first? Sometimes the last song on the album can have an impact on
the whole CD.
Then
there
are the times when unexpected issues arise:
Our solutions can include:
• De-clicking
is needed or digital drop-outs need to be fixed
(DAWs are notorious for this)
•
Endings that need to have more sustain added (too-quick fades are
somewhat common)
•
Some artists want huge loud levels and the arrangements/mixes are not
too cluttered
•
Some clients hear their CDR master in a "new light" and end up
wanting some last minute creative changes in sequence, spread between
songs, eq /level changes, etc. which require making a second master CDR.
•
Special edits, musical ideas, de-thumping, strategic cross-fades,
backwards effects or reverb ideas, pre-fades, etc.
With our list of clients, you can be
assured of the highest quality from us.
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