INTRODUCTION TO CD MASTERING
CD "pre-mastering", usually referred to as just "mastering", is the process of sonically enhancing the sound of the finished studio mixes in preparation for the CD manufacturing process.
CD mastering is the most important part of the CD production process. Mastering reveals the best in the material. It gives your recording the polished sound that listeners perceive as professional allowing you to sell more CD's.
Mastering cannot "fix" a bad recording but it can make a good recording sound great. Our goal is to make subtle improvements to your final mixes rather than drastic processing of the sound to fix mistakes.
STEPS INVOLVED IN CD MASTERING
1) TRANSFER SOURCES
We transfer your analog or digital source material to a digital audio workstation.
2) EDITING AND SEQUENCING
We perform difficult edits, create complex layers of tracks, and remove unwanted noise and match levels between tracks.
3) EQ AND COMPRESSION
We use both software and hardware to improve the sound and make the recording "consumer friendly."
4) AUDIO MASTER
The finished audio master files are used to make masters for CD, DVD, CD-ROM, or the internet.
4) APPROVAL/REWORK
The finished audio master is sent to the customer for approval. Upon approval, we will then send you a second copy of your master as well as a copy of the final data files in .WAV format.
If any rework has to be done, we will make the changes and send the new master to you for approval. Upon approval, we will send another copy of master as well as a copy of the final data files.
STANDARD CD MASTERING PACKAGE
We transfer your analog or digital source material to a digital audio workstation.
2) EDITING AND SEQUENCING
We perform difficult edits, create complex layers of tracks, and remove unwanted noise and match levels between tracks.
3) EQ AND COMPRESSION
We use both software and hardware to improve the sound and make the recording "consumer friendly."
4) AUDIO MASTER
The finished audio master files are used to make masters for CD, DVD, CD-ROM, or the internet.
4) APPROVAL/REWORK
The finished audio master is sent to the customer for approval. Upon approval, we will then send you a second copy of your master as well as a copy of the final data files in .WAV format.
If any rework has to be done, we will make the changes and send the new master to you for approval. Upon approval, we will send another copy of master as well as a copy of the final data files.
Our standard mastering package provides the highest level of workmanship available. Our mastering engineers cuts no corners in pursuit of providing you with the best sounding master possible! Up to 2 hours will be spent on each track to make sure it sounds the best it possibly can in all listening environments.
This package includes:
- Free advice and support
- CD-R Pre-Master ready for replication
- Audio cleanup/fade-ins & fade-outs
- Pop & audio spike removal
- Advanced equalization and loudness optimization
- Track re-ordering
- Track adjustment/cross fades
- Custom PQ coding
BASIC CD MASTERING PACKAGE
The basic mastering package is a less expensive alternative for customers who need professional mastering but cannot afford the standard package. We will apply general processing to all of the tracks and spend extra time on any "problem" tracks to fix them up as required.
This package includes:
- Free advice and support
- CD-R Pre-Master ready for replication
- Audio cleanup/fade-ins & fade-outs
- Pop & audio spike removal
- Basic equalization and loudness optimization
- Track re-ordering