Mastering: For disc or download - you need it!

Why? Professional audio mastering is vital for your CD - it’s your last chance to get the best out of your material before it gets preserved for ever on that shiny disc! And even if you're not thinking of making CDs, you still need your tracks to stand up against the vast number of music downloads up there.

Even songs recorded by the greatest producers in the finest studios still nearly always go through the audiomastering process and benefit from an experienced CD mastering engineer - yes, like me - who can suggest possible improvements.

Home and budget studios are great for recording, but dubious monitoring and dodgy acoustics mean that if you've never heard your music in an accurate listening environment, then you won't really know how it sounds.

My studio is probably the most accurate in its class. And you're welcome to be there while we work together on the mastering to get the best out of your music!

But it's about ears - not just equipment...

Fact - mastering isn't just about the gear! It's the knowledge and expertise of the person using the equipment that is of paramount importance. When mastering a track there's nothing more deadly than a TC Finalizer in the wrong hands, set to 'stun'!

I've gained vast experience of all sorts of music, not only from CD mastering work, but also from a long history of bin-loop mastering for cassette duplication, including many household name chart hits (see 'About' page)! Because I've heard so much music, I know what a good mix sounds like - which puts me in a unique position to help my clients get the best out of their studio mixes.

Attended session or not - you choose...

Like I said, you're welcome to attend the session. But if you can't make it or you live in the far reaches of the UK, that's OK. Just send me the tracks, I'll have a listen and call you to discuss how I think the mastering should be approached. I'll also give you an idea of the time and cost. If that sounds good to you, then I'll just get on with it and send you the results.

Online mastering...

I do it, but I don't call it 'online mastering' because I'm a bit dubious about low fixed price per track deals. Preset price, to me, implies preset process - a lower level of care than I would be happy to offer.

You can send me files over the web via YouSendIt, Dropbox, or similar service. You can pay me online with a card or PayPal via my 'Rates & Payment' page. So what's the difference? Well, the difference is that I care!. Pricewise, I just treat it like an unattended session.

Sign up for the Free Mastering Trial offer - and I'll put you on the list for my occasional news, hints & tips emails!

Get signed up now, then when you're ready you can send me a track. I'll master it and send it back. The idea is to give you an idea of what I can do - not to give the service away for nothing - so I'll probably fade it out early or do something so it can't be used. The point is, if you like what it sounds like, call and book a session!

(*Note to Advertising Standards Authority - just kidding about the hand-carving thing!)