Big Names Mixing & Mastering Cost

[bolehnggak]

Hi,

I just wonder, how much is the average cost of mastering an album by big names in mastering? (e.g. Bob Katz, Bob Ludwig, Doug Sax, etc)
And also for mixing an album by people like Tom Lord Alge, Al Schmidt, etc.

I know that the price would vary, but if I could get a prediction, or maybe from anyone who ever had their service. Just to get a picture for people who is willing to try to use their services.

And for those who ever had their services, it would be great if you could share the process, e.g. do we pay for their studio time or on per song basis, do we have to attend the session or the exact opposite (they don't want us there during process), how long does it takes to finish the master, etc.)

Thanks in advance.

[bgrotto]

A lotta those guys charge different rates for different projects. If you're on a major label, you'll pay more. If you're an indie, you'll pay less.

Unfortunately, the only time I've had those "big boys" master my work is on major label projects, in which case I didn't have access to the bills. And I've not had the pleasure of a big-name mixer working my tracks. But I did have a client recently tell me they paid Gateway $1200-1500 (they couldn't remember exactly) to master a record. That actually seemed low to me, so I don't know that Bob did it (in fact, I sorta doubt it, even though his name was on the reference disc, but I didn't tell the client!), but who knows?

I do work personally with some local guys who have some VERY impressive credits, and those rates hover between $600-800 for an EP, and $1000-1500 for a record.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by bolehnggak

Hi,

I just wonder, how much is the average cost of mastering an album by big names in mastering? (e.g. Bob Katz, Bob Ludwig, Doug Sax, etc)
And also for mixing an album by people like Tom Lord Alge, Al Schmidt, etc.

I know that the price would vary, but if I could get a prediction, or maybe from anyone who ever had their service. Just to get a picture for people who is willing to try to use their services.

And for those who ever had their services, it would be great if you could share the process, e.g. do we pay for their studio time or on per song basis, do we have to attend the session or the exact opposite (they don't want us there during process), how long does it takes to finish the master, etc.)

Thanks in advance.

At the very top mixing would be between $3500-$7500 a song with a point thrown in.

For mastering it would $500 per hour.

You can probably figure out the rest.

For mixing the engineer would want to hear the material first and decide if he/she would want to work on it. Also it would have to be submitted through their management. So just because you want a specific engineer to mix your song doesn't mean they will do it.

For mastering its a different process, the only caveat that the wait for the top ME's is longer, some times months. Also don't expect alot of hand holding in the process. By this i mean if you have either Ted Jensen, Bob Ludwig or Doug Sax mastering your record you better have your mixes together. I mean to spend $500 an hour to get those guys to fix your mixes in mastering is a waste of money IMO.

[24-96 Mastering]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

...with a point thrown in.

Wow... really? The top US mixing guys are in a position to get a %point?

[peeder]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

Wow... really? The top US mixing guys are in a position to get a %point?

Yup. And get this. If you don't want the mix after all, you have to pay a "kill fee" (~$1000) to compensate for the lost point!



BTW I had a friend who got an unsigned album mastered by Doug recently and it was a pleasant experience for all.

[narcoman]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

At the very top mixing would be between $3500-$7500 a song with a point thrown in..

Well even I get the bottom of that range - so i must be doing SOMETHING right.....

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by narcoman

Well even I get the bottom of that range - so i must be doing SOMETHING right.....

Those figures are without the money needed to book the studio and any rental fees the engineer charges for carting & using his own gear. So a $3500 mixed single by the end can end up setting you back $5500-$6000 without the mastering.

[studioland]

you can get world class mastering for $150/ song or 1500-2000 an album

for mixing have had prices from about $700/tune

[lucey]

Originally Posted by narcoman

Well even I get the bottom of that range - so i must be doing SOMETHING right.....

... like living in the UK at 2x the USD exchange rate?


(congrats on your success, just joking at our weak dollar)

Originally Posted by studioland

you can get world class mastering for $150/ song or 1500-2000 an album

... or less. But he didn't ask about quality, he wants to hire a big name.

[Storyville]

One of my favorites goes 3000+ an album, which considering his reputation is a really fair price. I imagine the rest of the Sterling crew is around a similar ball park. Peter Humphreys goes for 1000+ , he's not quite as big name but still has a stacked reputation, is really easy to work with, and has a brilliant touch.

I, the most famous mastering engineer of them all, charge 200 dollars. I actually do a good job.

[outofphase]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

At the very top mixing would be between $3500-$7500 a song with a point thrown in.

For mastering it would $500 per hour.

You can probably figure out the rest.

For mixing the engineer would want to hear the material first and decide if he/she would want to work on it. Also it would have to be submitted through their management. So just because you want a specific engineer to mix your song doesn't mean they will do it.

For mastering its a different process, the only caveat that the wait for the top ME's is longer, some times months. Also don't expect alot of hand holding in the process. By this i mean if you have either Ted Jensen, Bob Ludwig or Doug Sax mastering your record you better have your mixes together. I mean to spend $500 an hour to get those guys to fix your mixes in mastering is a waste of money IMO.

With CLA, TLA, AW and JJP, you finish paying aprox. $10k per song including studio, material and their 1% royalty advance.

ooP.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by outofphase

With CLA, TLA, AW and JJP, you finish paying aprox. $10k per song including studio, material and their 1% royalty advance.

ooP.

Over the summer TLA mixed a song for a friend who has an independent label and it was half that. He squeezed him in between big label mixes and knocked it out quick.

With the shrinking budgets and bad economy the days of $10K and $20K mixed singles are over.

[outofphase]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Over the summer TLA mixed a song for a friend who has an independent label and it was half that. He squeezed him in between big label mixes and knocked it out quick.

He did your friend a favour because it was an independent project, but if Avril calls, the fee is $10k.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by outofphase

He did your friend a favour because it was an independent project, but if Avril calls, the fee is $10k.

He didn't really do any favors.

My friend paid all of the $5K upfront.

No bullshitting. No P.O.s to deal with.

[outofphase]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

He didn't really do any know favors.

My friend paid all of the $5K upfront.

No bullshitting. No P.O.s to deal with.

If your brother paid him directly, it was a favor, because they never deal directly, that is why they have the best management in the world (Nettwerk).

Again if Avril calls (SONY/BMG), the fee is $10k or $8k if more than 4 tracks.

oOp.

[thethrillfactor]

Originally Posted by outofphase

If your brother paid him directly, it was a favor, because they never deal directly, that is why they have the best management in the world (Nettwerk).

Again if Avril calls (SONY/BMG), the fee is $10k or $8k if more than 4 tracks.

oOp.

They can have the greatest management in the world, but as long as i've known TLA he calls the shots for himself. Its up to him if he wants to do it or not. All of this stuff is not as complicated as people think or write around here...really.

And yeah you are going to charge a major more because it takes longer to get paid. Who the hell likes sitting around on their thumbs waiting to be paid? Some major labels take way longer than in the older days to pay people and the economy believe it or not has a lot to do with it.

Lastly Avril L. wouldn't call. It be either the Matrix or someone like John Shanks who are both producers that bring all these guys lots of label work.

[outofphase]

Originally Posted by thethrillfactor

Lastly Avril L. wouldn't call. It be either the Matrix or someone like John Shanks who are both producers that bring all these guys lots of label work.

First of all, the Matrix haven't worked with Avril since 2002 (we are in 2008!!!), that album was originally mixed by them, but the A&R people hired TLA to remix it because they didn't like the Matrix mixes.

TLA pays a 25% to Nettwerk Management, believe me, he let them deal with labels, if your friend deals with him directly and got a 50% discount... IT'S A FAVOR.
If this is true, I'm sure TLA really liked your friend's project.

And BTW, John Shanks has never produced an Avril Lavigne album.

oOp.

[narcoman]

Originally Posted by lucey

... like living in the UK at 2x the USD exchange rate?


(congrats on your success, just joking at our weak dollar)




... or less. But he didn't ask about quality, he wants to hire a big name.

! Yeah - it's pretty bad coming this way, but fortunately most of my clients are UK so the rate is the rate ! It was GREAT about 18 months - 2 years ago! I had some great holidays over in the States - plus it was a great time to import gear. Little less so now - but still not bad!