Richard Monroe said:
Frankly, 80% or so of the people who think they are ME's have an overactive fantasy life.-Richie
I agree. But I wouldn't put Tom in that category of having an overactive fantasy life.
I think gear is important, but its only important in the context of the engineer running it. The gear I believe should include the room itself which is equally important as monitoring. Good monitors in a bad room to me is like having a good room with radio shack speakers. Actually you can get around a bad room easier than getting around bad monitors. Anyway...
There are lots of things to consider when finding a person and place to master. I would never dis a guy who is trying, for all you know that person could very well be as talented as Glenn Meadows(no longer at Masterphonics) Bob Ludwig, Dave Collins and Tom Volpicelli. If your throwing your material into the wind without attending the session you are at risk of dissappoinment. Your fault not the ME's. Most ME's are willing to chat about expectations and results openly to make sure your happy and they learn more about you and your tastes. More often than not, you would be impressed by a majority of mid level ME's just because of that additional set of experienced and alternate set of ears. But there is the chance you might have Vlado the Impaler or other Mafia member do your stuff, unless the label forces you into the loudness wars you don't have to fight.
One thing Im always willing to bet, if someone has a dedicated room and decent monitors, they are going to be better than someone with Wavelab and nearfields in a bedroom.
I think this BBS has seen its share of wannabe mastering trolls and I think thats the root of paranoia. But Ive seen the influx of posters like Fletcher and Tom Volpicelli who are in a different league of the game than a majority of the people who use this board.
Bruce call it as he see's it, he the best BS meter we have here and he usually weeds out the trolls right off. He likes to get to the matter without alot of foreplay. I think that there are occasions where people come here thinking all the members here are wannabes and therefore one bun short of a Big Mac when it comes down to it. It can be a shock when you suddenly get reamed by Fletcher, Aaron Carey, Littledog, Bruce...oh and lets not forget....Sonusman, Sjoko2 and Shailat.
Even the lowlest newbie can offer simple words of wisdom, though I don't do it often.
SoMm