Mastering a record

[Jimmydeez]

Hello everyone!

My band Soldier On is currently recording a record. As we finish up the tracking and mixing has started I was wondering if you guys had any recommendations as far as where to send it for mastering.

I am completely new to Mastering and the only place I know in my area in Disc Makers and I'm not sure what their reputation is.

[louderock]

http://www.rodneymills.com/

Check out his client list.

[jjboogie]

http://www.rodneymills.com/

Check out his client list.


I have worked with Rodney and he does excellent work!!!

I'd say either Rodney Mills or Glenn Schick
http://www.gsmastering.com

[JSeth]

Mastering is a REALLY important part of the process - a great job can absolutely make your record shine... and the opposite is true, as well. I used Cookie Marenco, the woman who owns the studio where I cut my album; she did a very good job and I would use her again...
There's a man in the East SF BAy Area who is brilliant - I believe he did a bunch of work with Fantasy, back in the day; Ken Lee...
If the engineer/producer you are working with on your record knows mastering, it seems to be a good idea to have him involved in the process, regardless of whether he is the one doing the mastering...

Good luck! This is a very exciting time for you... a new record! YAAAYYYYY!

[Gretsch1972]

bite the bullet. send it to greg calbi at sterling sound. he's the best.

[mike walker]

Bob Katz is rockin.

[fyrwyr]

TY Tabor of King's X does mastering at his Alien Beens studio, he does awesome work at a super low price too!!!

[frankencat]

I have had great results with Diskmakers.

[Guitar55]

Tom Ruff at Asbury Media (http://sites.google.com/site/asburymediawebsitesite/) did a great job on our CD.

His credits are extensive. http://www.artistdirect.com/artist/credits/tom-curly-ruff/569136

[aeolian]

A friend of mine just had his solo project mastered by Bernie Grundman. Best ears in the business. And I guess he's still at it.

[chequepoint]

For professional level mastering, Tommy or Jonathan at Masterfonics are both top notch human beings, attached to great sets of ears.

www.masterfonics.com

Other places I've had good results at:
www.mastermix.com - Hank Williams (no relation, I believe)
www.masterdisk.com - Both Andy VanDette and Roger Lian have done me right in the past.

Of all the budget guys i've heard over the years:

www.digitalsunspot.com - Chris has a good set of ears, though he gets a bit cranky if you ask him to turn up the volume past where he thinks it should be. I've noticed now he charges extra for it, which makes me smile.. But he'll do a demo for free.

[chequepoint]

If the engineer/producer you are working with on your record knows mastering, it seems to be a good idea to have him involved in the process, regardless of whether he is the one doing the mastering...


Actually, to me the most valuable part of the mastering engineer is that he has had NOTHING to do with the rest of the process, and I would NEVER let the engineer that tracked or mixed it master it, even if they were an accomplished mastering engineer in their own right. Fresh perspective is invaluable.

[ratkent]

TY Tabor of King's X does mastering at his Alien Beens studio, he does awesome work at a super low price too!!!

Ty did one of my band's CDs and he was great.

[brettmoor]

What a funny thread to pop up the day our band is mastering our record. We're using Yes Master here in Nashvillehttp://www.yesmasterstudios.com/ Bouncing down to 1/2" tape as well

[Jimmydeez]

What a funny thread to pop up the day our band is mastering our record. We're using Yes Master here in Nashvillehttp://www.yesmasterstudios.com/ Bouncing down to 1/2" tape as well

Since I am new to this can you explain the "bouncing down"? are you just adding that analog warmth to the digital recording after the fact? That sounds pretty cool.

[Jimmydeez]

Also thanks for all the responses!

The producer and engineer I am working with recommended west west side http://www.westwestsidemusic.com/

I am really getting excited about the record. I have never felt more like a musician then the past month or so.