Mastering Yourself?

[RAMI]

I've mastered myself in the shower so often, I'm surprised a baby hasn't crawled out of the drain yet.

 

[RAMI]

OOps...I just realized I already used that joke in this thread last July.

Oh well, it was funny then and it's funny now.




(I need some new material )

 

[Greg_L]

Sure, just like kissing your sister counts as sex .

G.

You speak from experience, except it's your brother.

 

[warrior54]

I think it is better to go with the pros, if you don't have the right environment.

 

[voltron902]

I use T-RackS exclusively. I think it sounds pretty nice and it's so easy to use. Gives off a nice analog flavour to sterile digital mixes. What do you guys think of the program?

 

[kcearl]

lol...take cover

 

[SafeandSound]

I think ultimately you could have a rack of high end eq's and compressors and every plug in ever made but if your acoustic environment is
inaccurate and your monitors incapable of resolving details in your mix you could very easily end up making things worse, and that means too much/too little bass, too much/too little top end and an inaccurate midrange, a less than optimized stereo image, distortion and sonic defects you just did not hear. If you are going to master yourself you really need some trusted reference material where you essentially get yourself in the ballpark when it comes to bass levels and overall mix tone. This coupled with a fresh set of ears on the project is a compelling reason why professional mastering engineers are available.

cheers

Barry

 

[Sigma]

I master while i mix.. but i do mastering for others... unless you are mastering to vinyl, a competent mix engineer is fully capable of mastering today

 

[Waltz Mastering]

Please delete (double post)

 

[Waltz Mastering]

unless you are mastering to vinyl, a competent mix engineer is fully capable of mastering today

Hi Mike,

Unless they have 30 years of experience and the background/pedigree that you do, I'd have to strongly disagree. It's just taking to much for granted and sort of dumbing down the whole thing...
There's already a ton of mediocrity in the recording/music biz... it's not like we need to promote more.

I get mixes from competent mix engineers all the time who have no clue about mastering. It's a different mindset.

While there are "some" competent mix engineers that might have a clue about how to master, I'd say the percentages of those that can do both superbly is very small.

You're one of the lucky ones ; )

 

[jaynm26]

Mastering the best answer "LEAVE IT TO THE PROS" if you have to do it on you own then the next best answer is, "GET ADVICE FROM THE PRO's"
Look up, Call, ask Mastering Studio's look up equipment list ask how they are used, or look up how they are used, try to find the best plugins to emulate their techniques, next practice for YEARS! Always be better then your last Master. Always inquire a professional. Break Shit Until You Build Shit, Imitate don't Deviate.

 

[davemagnate]

I do it myself because i don't think anyone is better than i am when it comes to Mastering my productions. I won't mind additional knowledge though

 

[elbandito]

A little lotion, a kleenex and a nice hairy palm is all you need to master yourself, my man!

 

[Myx62]

I do it myself because i don't think anyone is better than i am when it comes to Mastering my productions. I won't mind additional knowledge though

Im with Dave. I have been Mastering my own stuff for 10 years now and although I have wanted to have a pro do some of my mixes I always end up doing it myself because I really enjoy playing with myself

 

[JG96]

T racks is what i use for mastering, also i cant believe that this thread is still going.

 

[mainekick]

i would send it to a professional mastering co. it is a bit more challanging than recording.

 

[brian45]

I also do it by myself...I aint paying anyone for anything also..

 

[lemonchili]

I'm working on some songs now that I'd like professionally mastered, but how do work out who to do it?
Price is obviously one factor, a mastering service/studios experience is another factor. What about experience with a particular genre - does it matter, or will a good mastering engineer be able to work with anything? The tunes I'm working on are rock with a touch of metal, but most of the local studios do more pop or classical work, so would I be better off using an online service from the US where rock and metal are more common?
cheers,
graham

 

[Massive Master]

I'd submit that most (experienced, qualified) mastering engineers would be fine with rock. A classical specialist might not be what you're shooting for, but those are few. At least in the U.S...

But definitely check references -- There are a lot (and I mean A LOT) of "mastering facilities" out there that are... well... not.

 

[masteringhouse]

What about experience with a particular genre - does it matter, or will a good mastering engineer be able to work with anything? The tunes I'm working on are rock with a touch of metal, but most of the local studios do more pop or classical work, so would I be better off using an online service from the US where rock and metal are more common?
cheers,
graham

My perspective on genre-based mastering, see question #9 "Should you choose an engineer based on their “style”?":

Audio Mastering - Audiofanzine