Making the customer happy..

[dietrich10]

Still learning ropes as I have been more the 'artist' the past 15 years and now mastering for others more than recording.

Example- Have new small label client. Underground electronic music which is my background. They have loved everything I have done for them. But there is one track-recorded 'live' with hardware synths, machines etc. Levels change sometimes when an element brought back in-hihats come in first 2 bars loud then they fade a bit, 2 mins later when it appears again loud and stays there. Also bassline does similar.
Overall low end is too overpowering but they want that to stay that way.
The version where I had it sonically best took away too much of the low end they loved.

What is advice for doing what you think 'should ' be done and doing what client wants?

D

[t_d]

compressor with high pass filter sidechain.. so you compress everything except the low end...

since i know you and know your studio, i have a gear recommendation for you:

UAD precision bus compressor, it has the high pass side chain

i got the high pass mod on my Vari Mu, too


also, see what others recommend.... if i'm even right on the high pass recommendation as a solution.

[jdg]

you mean, not doing what they request?
see how long it takes until they're no long your customer.

just add the lowend back... seems simple enuf?

also, its ok, esp for a live track not to have the sonic fidelity of a studio produced track. if it sounds funny or week after or before the studio tracks.. add more gap between them perhaps.

[dietrich10]

I'll give into their requests of course. First time i had to do a job how i would not of finished it.
they seem pleased with final results regardless

D

[Darius van H]

Customer is king.............if you're asked to do something seriously out of whack, explain clearly what the problems (down the road) could be.......if they still want it that way, it's their birthday party.