GLENN SCHICK MASTERING SERVICES

Glenn Schick Mastering specializing in stereo mastering and surround mastering, audio restoration, and CD, DVD/SACD/Surround Mastering, and vinyl production services.

What is Mastering?

CD mastering has a reputation as a mysterious art known only to a musical high priesthood. In fact, the right mastering can make a good recording sound excellent, and possibly turn a great one into a legend. Most discs can be made competitive for radio and in-store play. To use an analogy - Every album has a "voice" in which the message of the artist is delivered. A strong performance and good recording technique will set the basic tone for this voice. Mastering can then profoundly affect its impact and resonance. How? My guideline is: do what serves the music. A wide range of techniques can bring out an album's native voice. Depth, punch, sense of air and detail can all be enhanced. Vintage tube processors may work, or the latest technology could be appropriate. The solution sometimes goes against logic. Experience and a feel for the music determine the best path.

The Process

Most are familiar with the idea of recording music in a live concert or recording studio. You make tapes that store the individual performances, or takes. Ultimately these takes are assembled into a final master tape. This is sent to a replication plant, where copies are made. The process of creating the final master is called mastering.

What can I do to prepare my mixes for mastering?

• When mixing, try to reference your mixes against source material that you are familiar with, like your favorite CD's.
• Apply minimal compression (or none at all) to your 2 track mixes.
• Check the levels going to tape, making sure that the peaks of the music are just under your recorders maximum input level. On a digital recorder (D.A.T.) that means just under digital zero. Not hitting up on zero as some recorders have built in digital limiting, and we defiantly want to avoid that at all costs!
• On an analog recorder, you may want to experiment on the level input, as some people enjoy the sound of tape saturation. Be sure to play back the first mixes and make sure they have gone to tape sounding the way you had envisioned.
• DO NOT USE - The T.C. Finalizer, Digidesign or other Software "Plug-In's". These are fine tools for demo recording, but by putting them through these processors, you will be doing irrevocable damage to your mixes. If you do need to do a mix with these, keep another copy without the processes for mastering.
• Don't Rush! Take your time, and make sure your mixes are what you want. While mastering can sometimes vastly improve a mix, it cant fix a bad performance or lackluster mix.
• Get References! Please bring some of your favorite CD's. Especially ones that you think your music can or should sound like. This will help your mastering engineer understand what you want from your session.
• Ask questions. Don't be afraid or intimidated by the process. Your mastering engineer is happy to explain the process and show you what he/she is doing.

How long does it take to master something?

There is no definitive answer, but an average full music CD consisting of approximately 40-50 minutes of music (10-14 songs) usually can be finished in about 4-5 hours. A CD single with a few different versions can usually be finished in an hour or less.

Formats Accepted

• 1/2" Analog
• 1/4" Analog
• D.A.T
• Sony 1630
• Cassette
• Other formats can be arranged, please call ahead.