Growth in the Mastering Field

[masteringhouse]

I was recently asked to speak at a panel this Saturday and was hoping to get some opinions on the health of the business side of mastering. If you have done major label work are you seeing an increase or decrease? Are the budgets getting tighter for major and indie work? What areas of the business are growing? Are there other areas within audio or otherwise that you are looking at in order to expand your services?

Also any other items that you think would be of interest would also be appreciated. In particular what sort of things you think that an audio graduate should be considering (other than another field).

Thanks,
Tom

[tribeofenki]

Hi. I have worked part-time in a studio that deals with both music and movie releases. I am currently developing a freelance career. Mastering is going to a shady place in the current market, because the first aim is to put material onto the shelf, no matter the quality of the product, it HAS to be sold! Note that I am merely exposing the mainstream situation, as there *still* are some good releases that go beyond the common, minimal standard. De Facto, the old anthem about the switch from analogue to digital domain, is the real issue. Analog means electricity and can be operated by engineers that DO know what they do in terms of operational modification of the sound, based on specific studies. Digital gave us great opportunities for sure, but the audiophile and the guy who cares about what he's listening/producing/mastering must face what has been lost: a real domain for the sound is in electronic analog devices, the DAWs give opportunities for non-destructive manipulations...

Quality is the issue:
Mp3s and the infamous 'loudness war' are some examples of what I mean.

So we got:
The most common standard -vs- Quality
Business -vs- Art

Anyone got an iPod... so WHAT ?

[Lagerfeldt]

Originally Posted by masteringhouse

If you have done major label work are you seeing an increase or decrease?

Personally I've done more work for local branches of EMI and Sony/BMG and other major players this year than earlier.

Are the budgets getting tighter for major and indie work?

There are now more small labels, partly due to the fall of the majors, partly due to technology - both the internet and home studios. And labels are even more inclined to understand the need for mastering than individuals releasing a cd. This means an increase in mastering jobs for smaller mastering studios too. In terms of volume this more than makes up for what have been a general downturn from the majors (though I personally haven't experienced the latter). Budget wise I don't see a change for the worse, at least not for indies.

Some perceive home mastering as a threat to business, I really don't think that's the case at all.

One other trend I've been spotting is how local affiliations of major companies will use online mastering, e.g. Sterling eMastering and then pay a local ME to compile the Redbook and do minor editing. This job would earlier either have been performed entirely by a local big time ME or entirely by e.g. Sterling (shipping the Redbook overseas). This has benefitted smaller local mastering studios as they weren't in on that loop until now. This business can eventually bring in more "real" mastering jobs.

What areas of the business are growing? Are there other areas within audio or otherwise that you are looking at in order to expand your services?

Apart from production and mixing I've produced sample cd's. I teach courses in audio engineering at my own facility (up to 5 people) and at the Danish Rhythmical Music Conservatory, and once in a while I'm writing articles and clinics for audio magazines. "Jack of all trades, master of none" - only said by those who lack the skill and time. ;-) In Denmark it's been like that since 2001: diversify or die. Of course some can't do it, and they usually go out of business.

Also any other items that you think would be of interest would also be appreciated. In particular what sort of things you think that an audio graduate should be considering (other than another field).

Customer service, business 101, basic marketing skills. Those three subjects are very important, and unfortunately often overlooked and put down with the cliched "your work should speak for itself".

[Thomas W. Bethe]

I think the word today is diversity. This is especially true for the middle level mastering studios.

There will always be a place for large mastering only studios like Gateway but as more and more people attempt to do EVERYTHING on their own they seem to be using mastering and mixing engineers less and less. At least that is the way it seems around here.

The economy is not helping and more and more mastering budgets are shrinking. Some people view mastering as a necessity - some view it as a luxury and something they can do without. Many musicians today don't see mastering as important as they once did. The idea seems to be do it quick and get it out to the masses.

The musicians that DO understand the BIG difference that mastering can make in the final project are the ones that seek out the professional mastering engineers for their ears and experience.

We have a lot of projects in house right now but many of them are voice over work, audio and video restoration work, concert taping work and transfer work. The days of us doing only mastering and being able to get by seem to be gone. We have a couple of high end projects coming in from time to time but they are getting fewer and far between. The average person bringing in a job today is coming in the door with the idea that they cannot spend much more than $500 and would like to get out of here for a lot less.

There are a lot more of the "self mastered" and strap the limiter/compressor and equalizer across the two track mix buss and call it "mastering" projects today. Some of this is done by recording studios hoping to make some more bucks off the client. Some is done by musicians trying to save money and have creative control over their projects by doing everything possible themselves. Some is done by people who really do not understand what good mastering is all about and are willing to "just make it loud" using plugins or an all-in-one device like a Finalizer and hope for the best.

I would venture to say that depending on the economy the already shrinking budgets will get smaller and people will forgo mastering for most projects altogether if it means they can save money and get their project out faster. The material that gets released onto the internet will probably NOT get mastered and the material that goes onto a CD will be a toss up.

Hopefully with a new administration in the White House in January things will get better but I am not holding my breath. Only time will tell. The stock market is hovering at about 8,000 and considering that a year ago it was at about 14,000 does not bode well for the growth of the economy any time soon.

If you are giving this talk to young people you should tell them that there will always be a place for good people who aren't afraid to work hard and keep learning. You should also tell them that the more skills they can bring to a job the easier it will be to get hired and stay working. YMMV

[jordanstoner]

If you are giving this talk to young people you should tell them that there will always be a place for good people who aren't afraid to work hard and keep learning. You should also tell them that the more skills they can bring to a job the easier it will be to get hired and stay working.

Along those lines, the company I work for is having some layoffs. I was notified today that my position will be eliminated...

Anyone looking for an assistant or intern? I make one hell of a good pot of coffee.

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread... but I am being serious.

[masteringhouse]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

If you are giving this talk to young people you should tell them that there will always be a place for good people who aren't afraid to work hard and keep learning. You should also tell them that the more skills they can bring to a job the easier it will be to get hired and stay working. YMMV

I absolutely agree with your statement above Tom. I talk with previous students from time to time who were lucky enough to find positions. Some complain that they aren't using what they have been taught and are assigned to more or less grunt work.

In addition to the above younger engineers need to realize that they need to bring unique skills that enhance those already at a studio. They should think more in terms of the owners of the business and in ways that makes the business more profitable, less about what the studio can do to enhance their personal careers or remain redundant in the hope that an existing position opens up. If they can learn things like studio maintenance or develop other skills of value to the studio in addition to engineering they are less likely to be replaceable cogs in the wheel.

[Jerry Tubb]

Originally Posted by masteringhouse

I was recently asked to speak at a panel this Saturday and was hoping to get some opinions on the health of the business side of mastering.

Yo Tom!

Overall business has been steadily growing for us for the last 18 years. We're a dedicated brick and mortar Mastering facility... no recording or serious mixing... we're specialists. 2007 was our best year ever, and this year will probably finish a close second. The long hot summer was a little unpredictable, but this fall has exploded with about as much work as we can handle without working seven days a week. Now that the big election's over it's "all systems go".

If you have done major label work are you seeing an increase or decrease?

About the same major label work... Sony, Capitol, etc.

Are the budgets getting tighter for major and indie work?

About the same, a little tighter for majors, slightly more for indie work.

What areas of the business are growing?

CD audio mastering is still the majority of our work.

Lots more e-mastering, uploading and downloading from our server.

We're doing a ton of 5.1 Surround work for Music DVDs.

Many requests to do separate mastering for CD and Vinyl releases.

A touch of stereo 24/96 DVD-Audio work.

A bit of "Layback" mastering to analog tape.

Restoration & remastering of older analog masters has been good.

Blue Book "CD Extra" work.

Encoding mp3's for clients' websites.

Are there other areas within audio or otherwise that you are looking at in order to expand your services?

No. Just continue doing the best work we can in our niche field, audio mastering for CD, DVD, prep for Vinyl, and download.

Also any other items that you think would be of interest would also be appreciated.

Established mastering engineers should be fine in the current climate, if they manage their business properly, and take care of their clients.

In particular what sort of things you think that an audio graduate should be considering (other than another field).

Human skills and Audio skills are of paramount importance. Digital and Analog audio fundamentals. Current, legacy, and developing formats. Look for an established studio to intern with, have a friendly positive "can do" attitude.

Best Regards - JT

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Originally Posted by jordanstoner

Along those lines, the company I work for is having some layoffs. I was notified today that my position will be eliminated...

Anyone looking for an assistant or intern? I make one hell of a good pot of coffee.

Sorry, I don't mean to hijack the thread... but I am being serious.

Sorry to hear that your position will be eliminated. There seems to be a lot of that going on around the country as companies try and downsize or change directions. If the big three auto companies go belly up it is estimated that about 2.4 million people will be without work and that is NOT going to do wonders for the economy.

I hope you are able to find another position quickly. Best of luck

[Silvertone]

Originally Posted by Jerry Tubb

Yo Tom!

Overall business has been steadily growing for us for the last 18 years. We're a dedicated brick and mortar Mastering facility... no recording or serious mixing... we're specialists. 2007 was our best year ever, and this year will probably finish a close second. The long hot summer was a little unpredictable, but this fall has exploded with about as much work as we can handle without working seven days a week. Now that the big election's over it's "all systems go".



About the same major label work... Sony, Capitol, etc.



About the same, a little tighter for majors, slightly more for indie work.



CD audio mastering is still the majority of our work.

Lots more e-mastering, uploading and downloading from our server.

We're doing a ton of 5.1 Surround work for Music DVDs.

Many requests to do separate mastering for CD and Vinyl releases.

A touch of stereo 24/96 DVD-Audio work.

A bit of "Layback" mastering to analog tape.

Restoration & remastering of older analog masters has been good.

Blue Book "CD Extra" work.

Encoding mp3's for clients' websites.



No. Just continue doing the best work we can in our niche field, audio mastering for CD, DVD, prep for Vinyl, and download.



Established mastering engineers should be fine in the current climate, if they manage their business properly, and take care of their clients.



Human skills and Audio skills are of paramount importance. Digital and Analog audio fundamentals. Current, legacy, and developing formats. Look for an established studio to intern with, have a friendly positive "can do" attitude.

Best Regards - JT

Hey Jerry,

Same boat as you. Been the capital regions only dedicated mastering facility for 15 years and this is one of the best years ever.

Film work has been incredible in the last 5+ years.

I'm up for two Grammy's this year with artists I've mastered.

And since the economy tanked business exploded... I can't figure this one out at all as I had one of those slow hot summers as well... go figure.

If anything I've seen most of the work come down to our level of facility. Hey, as you know some of us can deliver the same goods as the big boys but because of our location and overhead we can do it for one third to one quarter the cost. Calbi more than once shook his head at me and said "you can't charge that". I say, "I don't have Manhattan rents, I don't have a staff and I owe no money on my building or equipment... I sure can charge that!"

I'm booked into mid January 2009 right now... yeah!

best,
Larry

[masteringhouse]

Originally Posted by jordanstoner

Along those lines, the company I work for is having some layoffs. I was notified today that my position will be eliminated...

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

I hope you are able to find another position quickly. Best of luck

Ditto. As often happens a new door of opportunity opens, hoping that yours will be a great new beginning.

BTW the panel went very well, little blood was shed between the participants and the students and faculty were well-pleased. Thanks to everyone here for your input!

Very best,
Tom

[Jerry Tubb]

Originally Posted by jordanstoner

Along those lines, the company I work for is having some layoffs. I was notified today that my position will be eliminated...

Take heart my friend... as Tom V said,

When one door closes, other ones usually open that lead to bigger and better things.

(I know, sounds like some sorta goofy cliche')

But over the years I've also found it to be true.

Best Regards - JT

(FWIW you're one of the few "younger" forum members whose posts I actually read.)

[jordanstoner]

Thanks for the kind words, guys. It is a scary reality in today's economy, but I believe everything happens for a reason.

If there's any mastering houses or recording studios in the San Francisco Bay Area looking for an assistant or intern, please PM me.