[tag]Mastering[/tag] your CD is the final step in the creative process prior to having your disk duplicated, shipped, and of course, purchased by millions of music fans worldwide.

But what exactly is mastering, and why do we need it?

Quick History

In the old days (when CDs were 12" vinyl disks - black instead of shiny), a two-track tape was mixed and edited in the studio, then delivered to a (separate) mastering studio. Often somewhere else in the world - to get access to the particular skills of a great mastering engineer.

The mastering engineer's role was to adjust levels and EQ so that the tracks present a more uniform sound across the set. In doing this, the mastering engineer would make sure he didn't introduce any changes to the overall feel of each carefully sculpted song.

Finally, the master tape would be played using a small console directly connected to the cutting lathe - to convert the electrical signals from the tape into mechanical patterns that literally carved the tracks onto the lacquer master.

Coming Back up to Date…
These days, powerful processors such as TC Electronic's Finalizer line offer easy, preset-driven mastering. You can match the style of your new CD to one of the built-in styles, and then, with little effort, provide a professional polish to your CD project.

However, one big disadvantage of self-mastering is - you're far too close to the music, so your judgment is almost certainly affected… of course the EQ and levels are perfect - you just finished setting them up perfectly yourself!

One way to minimize this inner conflict is to leave the mix as it is - without listening to it again - for several days. Then you have a chance of being more objective.

Now listen again to the mix, and you'll probably spot some factors you could improve. Good, but if you do make the changes yourself, again leave the new mix alone and don't listen to it for at least a day or two. You need your ears as untainted as you can to be able to do your best at mastering.

For larger-scale projects you will want to consider contracting an expert mastering engineer. He'll cost more than a piece of hardware, but you're buying in a set of expert ears plus a specialist studio full of gear that'll make the most out of your master! Your mastering engineer won't have to concern himself with groove-tracking issues, but he or she will still balance the levels, adjust EQ, and give your CD a competitive, professional polish that'll compete effectively in our over-crowded marketplace.

Format This
Doing your own mastering?

Do you already have everything you need?

• a two-track mix down deck (Alesis Masterlink, DAT machine, or your multitrack recorder may have a mix-to-disk option)
• a hardware or software mastering processor
• a CD burner

Your mastering house will probably support a variety of formats:

• two-track analog
• DAT
• Masterlink
• 24-bit high-resolution files

Call ask them what format they recommend. If you can produce in their recommended format, do it that way.

Duplication
After everything else is done - writing, rehearsal, recording, mixing, and mastering, then comes the final step - duplication.

Duplication can be done in several ways

• burn the CDs one at a time on your computer and label them yourself
• Purchase a duplication system such as the EZ Dupe 52X CD Duplicator and you can duplicate your own disks, all-for a reasonable price. If you do a lot of duplication, this is a great solution.
• Or you can take advantage of Musician's Friend's duplication service through Disk Faktory. This is cost effective, fast, and reliable.

 

And now you can listen and enjoy the results of your CD project!

 

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Thanks,

Ken

Tags: Recording Studio, Music Recording