Reviewing My New Master?

[dedukes]

Hi. I've had my 7-song CD mastered by a pro in NYC. The master will arrive today and I'm supposed to listened to it and approve it or suggest changes. Since I've never been involved in this part of the chain before, I have no idea what to listen for. Or how to listen, for that matter? Should I listen on studio monitors or various stereo systems or all of the above? And, other than the obvious (like weird noises or abnormalities), what should I listen for?

Thanks for your help.

--dd

[avieth]

Listen on your best pair of speakers, a pair of headphones, as well as your worst. Try putting it on in a car as well.

Just listen closely. If you like how it sounds, and if it doesn't hurt your ears when using the headphones, you've got a good master.

[TerraMortim]

damnit..I thought this was going to be an S&M post. Oh well.

[masteringhouse]

Originally Posted by dedukes

Hi. I've had my 7-song CD mastered by a pro in NYC. The master will arrive today and I'm supposed to listened to it and approve it or suggest changes. Since I've never been involved in this part of the chain before, I have no idea what to listen for. Or how to listen, for that matter? Should I listen on studio monitors or various stereo systems or all of the above? And, other than the obvious (like weird noises or abnormalities), what should I listen for?

Thanks for your help.

--dd

I suggest listening on various systems to hear how it translates. It isn't going to sound the same, some are going to accentuate different parts of the freq spectrum, some systems will distort earlier, etc. The objective is to ensure that you do not hear a consistent problem in the majority of the systems that you listen on. If it passes this test, and you like what he/she did, job well done!

[masteringhouse]

Originally Posted by TerraMortim

damnit..I thought this was going to be an S&M post. Oh well.

When I first incorporated my accountant thought that I was was starting a similar thing and looked at me weird when I told her the name of the company. I guess it didn't help that I was wearing a leather mask at the time.

[Massive Master]

Zip through the start points on different players also to make sure the track markers aren't too close to the start of the music. Play it on (or extract it to) something with accurate meters and check for clipping, etc.

[dedukes]

Originally Posted by Massive Master

Zip through the start points on different players also to make sure the track markers aren't too close to the start of the music. Play it on (or extract it to) something with accurate meters and check for clipping, etc.

Would Protools have an accurate meter to check for clipping?

Also, I'm not sure what you mean about "zipping through the start points." what's the start point and what's a track marker?

[Massive Master]

Assuming it shows clips, then yes. If not, then no.

Start points - Where the track starts. Generally, you want to have a little space between the marker and the audio - as many players (CD, MP3, computer, etc., etc., etc. - Varies from player to player) "ramp up" the output over a short time. If the marker is right at the first oscillation, you might miss the downbeat.

[dedukes]

thanks, everyone. this is all very helpful.