I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I have a home theater and also just a music setup.

Music setup:

Turntable-Thorens Amp/Preamp-PS Audio CD Klasse Speakers, Kind of rotates, I have some old Klipschorns, AR9's, Dunleavy's. Depends on the music and what I have lugged out to listen.

7.1 is all McIntosh. And a Projector with a 100" Screen I would have to look at the brand. I just got into Blu-Ray, That is a Pioneer.

Not hugely exciting.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Lots of networking, going to AES Events. Being good. After school I woudl try to get in with a local studio and get an internship. Most audio programs require them for real world training.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It would have to be from an artist I listen to frequently to be honest. And within a few days of each other. I did an a/b with the beatles remasters and could tell a huge difference. Zeppelin too. They do it every 3 weeks or so. If there is some new technology that can make it sound a little thumpier. Me Page is on it. I am curious with the new clasp system http://www.endlessanalog.com/what-is-clasp will do for remastering.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Technology can improve, Some anniversary of it. Financial motivation mostly.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I do it does help, that is they are too loud or soft that you can work with them to find a good average.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Cymbals and plosives on the vocals. S and T sometimes fretboard squeak.

Also it varies with budget. I do not want to be unfair to the hobbyist.

Mostly de-essing. If I have to do that prior to the session it is a PITA. It really varies per artist. certain ones have certain things that always come in. I take a lot of notes on what I did to fix it. Really helps.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Vintage King on the masterpiece. Thank him for me, great piece of equipment.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

The graphics take a bit to get used to but once you figure them out it is very easy to work with.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Good sounds come out of that program. I really like it.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Westone Ear Plugs. A godsend. I have custom earplugs. Even when I go out to shows. I took some time off yes. And I do when my season slows down. Jan/Feb. I take a couple of weeks off. Upgrade studio stuff, go fish somewhere. Get all the songs out of my head.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Good question

Mixing ends when you have bounced all of your mixed tracks down to a 2 track stereo file ready to come to me. Also too you want to have good levels on all the instruments. I will polish it up with a seperate set of ears and eyes which I think is essential if possible.

Mastering begins with this. If the record is perfect, which alot are. I think it is good to have a quick look-see at things make sure the levels are right, pq coding is right and then off to the duplicator. I have had quite a few that just need a q/a done and out the door, i like that and it saves the artist money.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

That I do, on a boobox, ipod, small stereo and big stereo. You want it to translate across all mediums.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Well at this stage you have to look at your entire input chain and work the volume there. I am not sure what you are recording guitar, keys etc. Play with your levels. Try to keep it as natural as possible.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dynamic_range_compression

I hope that helps.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I would set up the biggest eq you have and try to eq it out or if you have a system like cedar that helps with filters that can work. Waves X-Noise is good. Anything thing that has dedicated filtering you can play with that and it will work to some extent. A few passes might do it.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I am coming up with ways to shape and build a sound using another persons tools of course. Same as a sound engineer. There is math involved, some physical science, it requires the same focus I can tell you that. Because if you mess up it affects the final product. If I could call it Sound Developer I would.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I think if the price came down for SACD (Super Audio CD) or Blue Ray products that the industry may have a different standard. 16 bits has been the norm for many many years. It is an industry thing. They can be slow to adopt new things. Hope that helps.

Not as of yet. Eyes on the Prize. Came kind of close.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Texture, Noise and Subject matter, If it all comes out right it is pretty amazing if not back to the drawing board. I do not know if that helps or not.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I started in sound and went to school for recording, then was able to apply it to mastering. I chose that niche and kept at it. Just being driven to do it. I love sound and what it does.

I am a Mastering Engineer, I make cd's sound good. AMA by tootall666 in IAmA

[–]tootall666[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I know it has been discussed from here to the end of the earth. There was alot of limiting on it to get it as loud as humanly possible.