Mastering One Song? FACT OR FICTION

  • Thread starter Thread starter BLP
  • Start date Start date
Well, maybe I should let yall know that I am not an artist or a band.


I record and mix music
Like it or not, you ARE an artist then ;).
So in my head I'm thinking they are getting charged "55 to $100" bucks a song for "mastering" each track but never waiting till ALL their songs are done. These are not singles, these are songs being work on for an album that the engineer insisted that he can make better by mastering ( right after they just recorded and mixed it) in same session!
Unless this guy is planning to re-master the raw mixes for album release, he's a perfect example of yet another shyster who knows nothing about mastering claiming to be a mastering engineer and ripping off his client for easy money.

BTW, if they are WMA files, two comments; it *is* a data disk and not an audio CD, and the "mastering engineer" is delivering his files to the client in the wrong format, making him an even more obvious shyster. If I'm going to be getting a data disc from the mastering engineer, it had better be in WAV format. If, however, you meant to say CDA instead of WMA, then it is an audio CD and would be more understandable, especially if that's what the client requested.

G.
 
;).Unless this guy is planning to re-master the raw mixes for album release, he's a perfect example of yet another shyster

It depends what style of music it is... In hip hop, a trend that has been around for a while is for an artist to buy an instrumental track that has been pre-mixed and mastered. These are often mp3 or wma. Import into a session > lower by 5 dB > cut vocals, mix and remaster. Other styles of music do this as well..not saying it's the right way to go about it.. just that, that's how it's done sometimes.
 
not saying it's the right way to go about it.. just that, that's how it's done sometimes.
I'll agree with that, but I'd also say that a lot of people doing things the wrong way doesn't make it the right way. Ten million wrongs don't make a right ;). Think toxic mortgages.

I'd also speculate that that's not what BLP is asking or talking about, as he referred to three or four mixed and mastered songs created and intended for inclusion on an album. I could be wrong - it certainly wouldn't be the first or the last time ;), and BLP can correct me if I am wrong - but that doesn't sound to me like your typical compilation disc of assorted beats.

G.
 
^ You're probably right. It is a bit confusing the way he said " they're still being worked on"

These are not singles, these are songs being work on for an album that the engineer insisted that he can make better by mastering ( right after they just recorded and mixed it) in same session!
 
^ You're probably right. It is a bit confusing the way he said " they're still being worked on"
I didn't catch that. Yeah, it could go either way I suppose.

It does lead to the next question, though (for me anyway); why master something that's still being worked on? :confused:

Yeah, it makes the beats sound better on their own, but it just makes it harder to make a decent final mix with them. It's like putting sawdust in the transmission to make it easier to sell a car that'll just give the buyer extra trouble when they get it home.

G.
 
It does lead to the next question, though (for me anyway); why master something that's still being worked on? :confused:

Because "only" mastering engineers know how to use a compressor correctly :D

There, now you're less confused :-P
 
It does lead to the next question, though (for me anyway); why master something that's still being worked on? :confused:
I hear ya. Then again, I was pretty surprised the first time a hip hop client had me download his project from his phone.
 
Using something like DiskAid you can use an iPhone as a storage device just like a USB drive. I had a Hip-Hop client deliver some tracks from his phone this way but they were 24 bit 44.1k wav files. Not sure if this was the case with Tom, but it can be fine.
 
Using something like DiskAid you can use an iPhone as a storage device just like a USB drive. I had a Hip-Hop client deliver some tracks from his phone this way but they were 24 bit 44.1k wav files. Not sure if this was the case with Tom, but it can be fine.
Does anybody actually use their iPhones to make phone calls? ;)

I know, I know, nobody actually uses anything to make phone calls any more. :p

G.
 
LOL.

Most of my posting here is done through my iPhone. That's why you see so many edits ...

Wait until Pro Tools comes out as an app. I have a 4 track recorder and the Blue Fire field recorder. There's an app out already to control Pro tools but I don't get it. Maybe someone wants to phone in a mix.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YGUGgcoQ09A&feature=youtube_gdata
 
Last edited:
Masteringhouse said:
Last edited by masteringhouse; 1 Minute Ago at 19:31.. Reason: iPhone
LOL. Ooooh, that's a good reason to get an iPhone right there; as a fall guy! :D Why didn't you pay your taxes, Mr. Stephan? iPhone!

The only reason I'm not surprised that there not a multi-tracking app for the iThings yet is because I wouldn't be surprised if Apple is reserving that application for their own development people. I know I would if I were them ;).

G.
 
Like it or not, you ARE an artist then ;).Unless this guy is planning to re-master the raw mixes for album release, he's a perfect example of yet another shyster who knows nothing about mastering claiming to be a mastering engineer and ripping off his client for easy money.

BTW, if they are WMA files, two comments; it *is* a data disk and not an audio CD, and the "mastering engineer" is delivering his files to the client in the wrong format, making him an even more obvious shyster. If I'm going to be getting a data disc from the mastering engineer, it had better be in WAV format. If, however, you meant to say CDA instead of WMA, then it is an audio CD and would be more understandable, especially if that's what the client requested.

G.

Yes. It is just an audio cd, CDA.


I have uncovered my city shysters!!!
 
^ You're probably right. It is a bit confusing the way he said " they're still being worked on"


Sorry guys, I type really fast without thinking. LOL



Let's pretend you are and artist working on a 15 track album.

Today you only have enough money to make 1 song.

You go to the studio, record it, have it mixed, then the engineer says I can make it even better if I master it for an EXTRA FEE.

Since you are unaware, you fall for this.

This happens every time you go to studio again, in your journey to complete this album.

Now by the time you have your 15 track album recorded, you have been to the studio and recorded at different times, and had them "mixed and mastered" on spot.

Now you THINK you have 15 tracks mixed and mastered, but in reality your album would still have to be looked over again and truly mastered as a whole.


Did that get explained better?
 
LOL.

Most of my posting here is done through my iPhone. &feature=youtube_gdata[/url]



I have a google mytouch t mobile phone so can I get on too?


ha, I'm going have to check that out but internet only works on wifi
 
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