Mastering Engineer wants Individual tracks....

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Bguzaldo

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So I'm doing work with this band and I suggested an ME that could master the album for around 400 bucks, now the guitarist in the band says that his mom, who was in a semi popular band, knows a guy who claims to be "the best in tennessee" :laughings: and can master it for 100 bucks.

But anyways he wants me to send him all of the individual tracks. I told him we did it to tape and it could potentially be a nightmare seeing as I don't have 24 channels of A/D so I would have to do it track by track (which he said was fine)....but I'm not going to do this. This guy seems like a con man or something, but either way, is there any viable reason for a mastering engineer to need all the individual tracks, assuming we have it mixed to our liking?!

Thanks,
-Barrett
 
No. If he wants individual tracks, then he's really a mix engineer :D
Or your mix is totally f'd up (has he heard the stereo mixdown?)

I'd steer clear.

Armenians have a saying "The expensive option is cheaper". Meaning, in the end you are likely to spend less money by going with the option that costs more, because you're likely to get better quality, and as a result will require less time and effort, and will give better results.
 
Bguzaldo said:
the guitarist in the band says that his mom...
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RED FLAG

:D



is there any viable reason for a mastering engineer to need all the individual tracks...
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He's a frustrated mixing engineer. ;)

It's not unusual for an mastering engineer to work with stem mixes (grouped tracks)...but I see no reason for him to *request* all individual tracks....

...though of course, it DOES give him much more control, but then he's actually mixing and mastering at the same time.

It's your stuff...do what you prefer....though you can ask him why, and see what he says.
 
noisewreck said:
No. If he wants individual tracks, then he's really a mix engineer :D
Or your mix is totally f'd up (has he heard the stereo mixdown?)

I'd steer clear.

Armenians have a saying "The expensive option is cheaper". Meaning, in the end you are likely to spend less money by going with the option that costs more, because you're likely to get better quality, and as a result will require less time and effort, and will give better results.
Click to expand...

The mixes are good, to my liking and to the bands liking. I'm getting a sneaking suspicion that this guy wants to "produce it" aka fuck shit up.

Thanks for the response, I think the Armenians have it right!
 
miroslav said:
RED FLAG

:D





He's a frustrated mixing engineer. ;)

It's not unusual for an mastering engineer to work with stem mixes (grouped tracks)...but I see no reason for him to *request* all individual tracks....

...though of course, it DOES give him much more control, but then he's actually mixing and mastering at the same time.

It's your stuff...do what you prefer....though you can ask him why, and see what he says.
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HAHAHAHA :laughings::laughings:

I never had intentions on working with this guy, I was just wondering if I was being too paranoid and this is actually a reasonably usual thing for mastering engineers.

Thanks, and if you only really knew this kids mom....red flag indeed!!
 
I'd have to question the situation...
 
Massive Master said:
I'd have to question the situation...
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Yeah, I'll try to get some more info just to see exactly what he plans to do with it. Could be an interesting story to report back to you guys, I'm sure you'll get a kick out of it.

P.S. Did you get my email? Not tryin to be a pest, I just know you mentioned you got a mean spam filter!

-Barrett
 
Bguzaldo said:
I told him we did it to tape and it could potentially be a nightmare seeing as I don't have 24 channels of A/D so I would have to do it track by track (which he said was fine)....
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That's not "fine" at all. With tape, you can never be sure that all your tracks will play at the same exact speed when you record them back into DAW track by track, even if you have solid sync.

Red flags all over the place indeed.
 
Bguzaldo said:
I never had intentions on working with this guy, I was just wondering if I was being too paranoid and this is actually a reasonably usual thing for mastering engineers.
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No. It's highly unusual.
 
Bguzaldo said:
knows a guy who claims to be "the best in tennessee"
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He even has that stenciled on his still! :D

Considering Tennessee is the home of both Nashville and Memphis, "the best in Tennessee" would probably be the best on the planet, and would not only cost more than $100, but probably wouldn't have an opening on his schedule for an unsigned amateur for a year.

G.
 
Bguzaldo said:
knows a guy who claims to be "the best in tennessee" :laughings: and can master it for 100 bucks.
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If he is the best why is he only charging 100 bucks?

Bguzaldo said:
so I would have to do it track by track (which he said was fine)....
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Fine to you if they are going to pay you to transfer the tracks 1 at a time.

Bguzaldo said:
This guy seems like a con man or something,
Thanks,
-Barrett
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No just someone trying to big note themselves.

Cheers
Alan
 
Bguzaldo said:
P.S. Did you get my email? Not tryin to be a pest, I just know you mentioned you got a mean spam filter!

-Barrett
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I'm going to have to say that perhaps I've not received it...

Damn Spam filter...
 
I'd like to make clear that, yes, I am young and stupid, but not for one second had I considered working with this man. When the guitarist had told me of this offer my initial response was....hmmmmm, sounds like bullshit.
 
I have developed a policy that applies here: When talking to any craftsperson (using a broad def. for that word- i.e. anyone who represents him/herself as providing a service that requires some level of craft, anything from yard work to recording mastering.) If they say "I'm the best," I find a way to end the conversation as quickly as possible.

The best do NOT have to brag on themselves.
 
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