services
services
mastering |
Although by many considered a magical process, mastering basically comes down to detecting and correcting irregularities in the overall sound image that is projected onto the listener. In the greater reality, though, the goal is to convey and enhance the right emotion and vibe of the music, as it is ultimately intended by the artist. This is an intuitive process that takes place anywhere between the ground under our feet and the heavens up high, within the boundaries of what is technically required. Now that does sound a bit magical.
The treasure is dug out and cleaned up first by taking care of unwanted resonances and dynamic extremes, through equalizing and dynamic compression and expansion. The direct result is that the sound is experienced as much more detailed and balanced. This creates the space to assess the essence of the music and determine where it could proceed aesthetically.
Flavor enhancers are always used sparingly, but if the material would benefit from a certain ‘sauce’, such as some tasteful harmonic saturation or a general sonic emphasis, your mastering guy will apply this without hesitation. It’s of course not a coincidence the desk is filled with so many exotic analog goodies. However, all is done in the most deliberate and delicate form. After all, in the mastering realm we’re talking about intricacies of the subtlest caliber.
In addition to and during the process just described, a cohesive sound will be attained between all tracks that will appear on the same release, if applicable.
Mixes can sometimes differ greatly in terms of sound. Each mix with its inherent elements stands on its own. Due to creative choices, or when different locations and systems are used. Especially when it concerns mixtapes. In the mastering process, All tracks are pulled together soundwise and the levels matched to create a natural and related listening experience.
Once the album is arranged and the tracks are positioned, clean fades and pauses between tracks will intensify the listening experience. It is also beneficial for digital releases to take this into consideration by, for example, exporting some extra silence on the master at the end.
| mastering
Although by many considered a magical process, mastering basically comes down to detecting and correcting irregularities in the overall sound image that is projected onto the listener. In the greater reality, though, the goal is to convey and enhance the right emotion and vibe of the music, as it is ultimately intended by the artist. This is an intuitive process that takes place anywhere between the ground under our feet and the heavens up high, within the boundaries of what is technically required. Now that does sound a bit magical.
The treasure is dug out and cleaned up first by taking care of unwanted resonances and dynamic extremes, through equalizing and dynamic compression and expansion. The direct result is that the sound is experienced as much more detailed and balanced. This creates the space to assess the essence of the music and determine where it could proceed aesthetically.
Flavor enhancers are always used sparingly, but if the material would benefit from a certain ‘sauce’, such as some tasteful harmonic saturation or a general sonic emphasis, your mastering guy will apply this without hesitation. It’s of course not a coincidence the desk is filled with so many exotic analog goodies. However, all is done in the most deliberate and delicate form. After all, in the mastering realm we’re talking about intricacies of the subtlest caliber.
In addition to and during the process just described, a cohesive sound will be attained between all tracks that will appear on the same release, if applicable.
Mixes can sometimes differ greatly in terms of sound. Each mix with its inherent elements stands on its own. Due to creative choices, or when different locations and systems are used. Especially when it concerns mixtapes. In the mastering process, All tracks are pulled together soundwise and the levels matched to create a natural and related listening experience.
Once the album is arranged and the tracks are positioned, clean fades and pauses between tracks will intensify the listening experience. It is also beneficial for digital releases to take this into consideration by, for example, exporting some extra silence on the master at the end.
stem mastering |
If you can’t quite get it done in the mix, and you find yourself having a hard time achieving the desired goal, it could possibly be a candidate for a hybrid approach called stem mastering.
Stem mastering means that multiple tracks/groups per song are being used. This allows additional access to a number of important elements in the mix during the mastering process. These can then undergo separate processing in order to obtain a coherent whole.
This can simply be an instrumental and vocal stem. Or a more elaborate selection of elements like drums, bass, instruments, vocals, backing vocals and fx.
If you would like to have a complete mix taken care of, that exceeds the scope of stem mastering, please enquire about the possibilities. Because your mastering guy was actually also once a mixing guy. So either way your material is in good hands!
| stem mastering
If you can’t quite get it done in the mix, and you find yourself having a hard time achieving the desired goal, it could possibly be a candidate for a hybrid approach called stem mastering.
Stem mastering means that multiple tracks/groups per song are being used. This allows additional access to a number of important elements in the mix during the mastering process. These can then undergo separate processing in order to obtain a coherent whole.
This can simply be an instrumental and vocal stem. Or a more elaborate selection of elements like drums, bass, instruments, vocals, backing vocals and fx.
If you would like to have a complete mix taken care of, that exceeds the scope of stem mastering, please enquire about the possibilities. Because your mastering guy was actually also once a mixing guy. So either way your material is in good hands!
| album preparation
A well-thought-out sequence of tracks can contribute enormously to the listening flow of an album. A strategic fade, crossfade or silence can intensify this flow. Allowing all music to be experienced as a natural whole. This is an often underestimated but important part of arranging an album.
All relevant metadata, such as CD-text, UPC and ISRC codes, are also included in this process. Subsequently, a DDP image file or/and a physical Redbook standard CD is created. The product is now ready for replication.
We advise our clients to provide the necessary data themselves in Gracenote’s online database soon as the CD is ready.
To obtain ISRC codes for your music, contact your national ISRC agency or get ISRC codes for free when using a digital distributor. You can also become a registrant by registering with your national ISRC agency (you will likely have to pay a small fee), to generate your own ISRCs.
| album preparation
A well-thought-out sequence of tracks can contribute enormously to the listening flow of an album. A strategic fade, crossfade or silence can intensify this flow. Allowing all music to be experienced as a natural whole. This is an often underestimated but important part of arranging an album.
All relevant metadata, such as CD-text, UPC and ISRC codes, are also included in this process. Subsequently, a DDP image file or/and a physical Redbook standard CD is created. The product is now ready for replication.
We advise our clients to provide the necessary data themselves in Gracenote’s online database soon as the CD is ready.
To obtain ISRC codes for your music, contact your national ISRC agency or get ISRC codes for free when using a digital distributor. You can also become a registrant by registering with your national ISRC agency (you will likely have to pay a small fee), to generate your own ISRCs.
audio restoration |
Also known as the forensic department.
This service includes the removal of noise, hum, pops and clicks, or any other unwanted sound on the supplied material. Although that is not entirely true. Because, for example, we can’t make a bad singer magically disappear (but we might know a guy who knows a guy).
Because there are so many variables, it is necessary to have the material reviewed first, so that a correct time and price indication can be made, as this is calculated per hour.
| audio restoration
Also known as the forensic department.
This service includes the removal of noise, hum, pops and clicks, or any other unwanted sound on the supplied material. Although that is not entirely true. Because, for example, we can’t make a bad singer magically disappear (but we might know a guy who knows a guy).
Because there are so many variables, it is necessary to have the material reviewed first, so that a correct time and price indication can be made, as this is calculated per hour.