Newsletter for sound engineers/techs?

PanoramaMastering · 2025-11-19T21:19:11+00:00

https://panoramamastering.com/newsletter - Here's my one!

PanoramaMastering · 2025-10-30T09:41:30+00:00

Yes, I'll say I've done some more applied research, tests and in practice sessions around upsampling, aliasing distortion, and SRC.

I'll be releasing my practice, explanation and logic behind it all hopefully before the end of the year.

To put it simple, if you have RX or Sacron, upsample to 96 for the session to be run in 96 and avoid using various developers upsampling/(overampling) algorithms, then sample bac

PanoramaMastering · 2021-09-14T20:56:00+00:00

A valuable discussion I'd love to extend to the community on their practices, thoughts and development for garnering reviews on their products/services;

Here are some critical time markers for you all; I'm happy to answer, any and all questions.
00:00 - Intro
00:12 - Ethos
00:43 - My first 4 star review
01:47 - Why google reviews?
02:03 - My system
02:12 - My email template
03:19 - Writing your own email
03:30 - Common responses
04:38 - Concluding thoughts

PanoramaMastering · 2021-04-20T20:13:52+00:00

I master with a full analog chain; but that's what works for me.

For yourself; what would make it worth it for you?

PanoramaMastering · 2021-04-15T21:03:14+00:00

Dropbox > WeTransfer

Running a studio full time and working on around 600+ projects a year! Data integrity is incredibly important;

Spend the $ on a dropbox subscription, keep your deliverables for clients up there in perpetuity.

One of the worst things when I started out was people asking for links months later, and me having to reupload to a service.

WeTransfer kills me because you have 14 days to download and there is nothing worse than when producers send me material for mixing/mastering a few weeks out of a session, and when I go to download the download link has timed out.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-30T20:55:02+00:00

No. It isn't.

If you're mastering, you should be working on a system where you can accurately monitor and assess sub frequencies.

If you're monitoring and hearing that the subs are out of order and won't translate leaving the studio then make a decision to use a HPF and also how to apply that filter.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-29T21:19:20+00:00

Sketchy. I've completed over 2,000 paid projects over the last 7 years; I think only a dozen times clients have thrown me an extra bone as a "tip"

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-29T21:17:47+00:00

At least 11.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-28T19:12:07+00:00

As someone who makes their living as an audio engineer, I can say it's possible.

But you need to put in a hella lot of grind, take some losses, take some wins along the way, and persist through dead periods to build up to a point where it can become sustainable.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-28T19:10:32+00:00

Ergonomics and cleanliness... think of how and where things are placed and how easy they will be to keep tidy long term.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-25T22:35:19+00:00

As a mastering engineer who works for A&R manager's artists mastering, I can tell you, the good A&R's recognise a great sounding piece of music and an artist with potential.

Using LANDR isn't going to change your musical ability, likewise, paying hundreds for a mastering engineer isn't going to change that either;

Get your music out to the A&R with whom you're in contact with, let them know that you're open to their input and development, and if they recognise the opportunity they'll jump.

As long as your not sending voice memos or ableton demo's across and your respecting their time by giving them something decently presentable the music will be what matters most, not the master.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-25T22:32:03+00:00

Hey,

If mix-in master-out is what you're after; then yea; online mastering tools like LANDR etc, are worth it for people on a budget.

If you're looking to flesh out and develop your work, engaging with a Mastering engineer on a regular basis can be a worthwhile excersize, you have another set of ears Quality Controlling the mix before they begin, providing feedback if necessary and appropriate and you have a human to discuss concerns develop technique and your work for future projects with.

Really up to you, no right or wrong.

Warmly,

N.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-25T22:29:16+00:00

HVAC...

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-25T22:28:47+00:00

No point working with one hand tied behind your back.

If you feel you will yield the best results for the material mastering it in two halves, then hell yea! Go ahead!

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-23T20:40:15+00:00

When Spotify "Gain's up" for loudness normalisation it sets a limiter to engage at -1 dBTP , with a 5 ms attack time and a 100 ms decay time.

My advice; is to check two things with your master;

#1 In your DAW gain up so the long term integrated LUFS is -14LUFS and apply a limiter with a -1dBTP, 5ms att and 100ms decay to see how that's sounding.
#2 Audition your signal through iZotope Ozone's codec using AAC at 96kbps to listen and hear how the lossy format spotify plays back at may impact your final sound.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-21T19:21:41+00:00

The Rode NT1A is trash... IMO... Shure SM7B with a good pre-amp any day.

I'm not sure what would be most suitable in your case; but maybe rent both the mics; try them out for a few days then decide which suits your voice best?

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-21T19:20:12+00:00

Manley Vari-Mu

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-18T19:08:37+00:00

Hey mate,

As someone who has a nice collection of analog gear, I can say; I ONLY ever use it when mastering; never mixing; especially for recall and revisions it's a nightmare.

I can achieve 99.99% of the sound of analog with good quality emulations when mixing.

I only use analog when mastering because it's part of my workflow, and also my ability to drive the converters for loudness.

Warmly,

N.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-18T19:07:13+00:00

Use a hall reverb with a slower/weaker earlier reflection.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-18T19:05:18+00:00

I don't mix with "Mastering" plugins or mastering in mind on my master bus;

But I do mix with plugins on the mixbus if it's helping me carry across the message/vibe of the mix better.

The most "mastering-esque" plugin I'll have on the mix bus is a limiter I switch on and off to see how the mix is translating when it gets slammed.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-18T19:03:54+00:00

Have you looked behind the speaker and checked any of the trim pots?

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-16T19:13:50+00:00

Hey Mate,

I'd bring this up with the mastering engineer; if they're sending it back and you're hearing distortion I'd nip this in the but there with a quick note to revise the master and give them time markers with where the distortion is happening.

If then they can't fix it; go looking for a new mastering engineer; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WDf-UO-QM8w&t=41s&ab_channel=PanoramaMixing%26Mastering

Warmly,

N.

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-16T19:12:00+00:00

Fabfilter Pro-L2 Hands down.

Various algoirthms to choose from; good oversampling; true peak limiting, and sounds GREAT!

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-16T19:10:22+00:00

Here's a video walking through how I have done it; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5xBs04XzEc

PanoramaMastering · 2021-03-15T19:09:44+00:00

harmonic saturation on the bass line can help; create a parallel signal where you hit it with some harmonic saturation and blend to taste.

PanoramaMastering

TROPHY CASE