How can you tell if the mastering job is done right?

[bbbkeys]

I know many people wonder why they need to master their music and the general assumption is that if you do a good job of mixing down the music, then who needs mastering?

In my other thread about the studio who botched up the lows/bass in the mastering, I thought my original mix-down was better than the mastering. So, how can you tell before you leave the studio if the mastering is done correctly?

 

[tyler657recpro]

I believe that the basic idea of mastering is to master all the songs that you have for a certain album, so that the songs sound like they belong together. Not the same, but so you don't huge variances between the different songs in how they sound. I think the goal is to have the album sound like it was recorded all in the same room on the same day all at once, which it obviously wouldn't have been, but thats what you want.

I don't believe it's necessary to master a single song, but it is necessary to master songs intended to be included in a collection of some sort, unless you want it to sound like a greatest hits album. Its all about the presentation of the entire product.

I would think it would also be a good idea to have someone else master your stuff. Actually, I'd NEVER master my own stuff. You need someone who is going to improve the way it sounds. Theoretically, you already like the way it sounds, or have an opinion about the way it should sound, and that is why i don't think people should do their own mastering. But since you would have no control over what the mastering person is doing, you have to be able to trust that your project is going to benefeit from there services. I'd spend as much money as I could to get something mastered for this very reason.

If you can afford it, and the project matters, get someone like David Collins to master your stuff.

If I'm wrong about any of this, someone please correct me because these are just my general ideas about what mastering is for. I don't master things myself, and someone who does might be more clear about it, or at least I'd hope so.

 

[bbbkeys]

I agree with you. There's just that fear that you will end up with something you think sucks even though the mastering engineer did a good job. Read my other post about how the bass came out muddy and you will see where I am going with this.

You're right that people should never master their own material. The way I see it is that once a songwriter who is producing the recorded material himself/herself finishes with the mix-down end of it, where else can that producer go? I mean, I make my mix downs the best I can and at that point, I don't see how it can get better. So, having someone else master your material is good. But like I said above, I am unhappy with the last guy who mastered my material and when that happens, the very next person you turn to for mastering is yourself.

 

[Sennheiser]

It helps the ME if you include notes about your mix. What you are looking for as far as a certain sound goes, what you would like changed, etc.

If the ME goes in blind to master your project, you might not like what you hear when you get it back.

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

So, how can you tell before you leave the studio if the mastering is done correctly?

Do what Ray Davies (from The Kinks) does -- plays it for his girlfriend... if she cums on the spot then they did a good job!

 

[bbbkeys]

Re: Re: How can you tell if the mastering job is done right?

Do what Ray Davies (from The Kinks) does -- plays it for his girlfriend... if she cums on the spot then they did a good job!

Is that what inspired him to write "Lola"?

My wife is not into my music. So, I guess my girlfriend cumming would be a good indicator.

 

[TexRoadkill]

You raise some interesting questions. Mastering use to be vital because it was impossible to prepare music for vinyl printing without have a ME who was familliar with the process. Now days nobody really NEEDS mastering and the final results are a bit more subjective.

Mastering is you paying some dude to use his experience, ears and equipment as a final touch to your music. If you don't like what he likes then you won't like what he does to your music.

 

[Frusciante_Fan]

Right on

That is just beautifull! Best description of Mastering I have ever heard!

Great job Tex

 

[bbbkeys]

Wait a minute. Is Vinyl still around??? LOL just joking?

 

[littledog]

listen to examples of the mastering engineer's work on other people's projects. most mastering places will gladly provide a list of past clients.

if they suck, you'll know right away.

 

[tyler657recpro]

Like I said, you have to find someone who you can trust messing around with your work of art.

 

[bbbkeys]

Thanks all.