Mastering Materials - what to ask

[elmkid]

hi all slutz.

currently im waiting for my mixes to be mastered in few days. i have to be honest that some of the mixes aren't perfect but there's nothing i can do. time is the enemy.
so when i receive my 'test master' soon, whats there to expect? frankly, i dont know how to define good mastering, except if the track is over-compressed.
since the mixes arent that good, i dont know how far the ME can help in whatever way to enhance the track(s).
since you guys were once newbies, do you care to share 'how did you appreciate a good mastered song?'

tq so slutz.

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by elmkid

hi all slutz.

currently im waiting for my mixes to be mastered in few days. i have to be honest that some of the mixes aren't perfect but there's nothing i can do. time is the enemy.
so when i receive my 'test master' soon, whats there to expect? frankly, i dont know how to define good mastering, except if the track is over-compressed.
since the mixes arent that good, i dont know how far the ME can help in whatever way to enhance the track(s).
since you guys were once newbies, do you care to share 'how did you appreciate a good mastered song?'

tq so slutz.

I'd say that the more listening you've already done to lots of good recordings, then you've got the tools and have educated your ear. It's good that you know how to tell if the track is over-compressed, that's a very good start. You'll also probably notice if width, depth and dimension have been preserved, enhanced, or even "over-enhanced", and be able to esthetically decide if that is a good thing or a bad thing! Then, tonal balance, punch in the low, mid and high registers (if it's a punchy song). Purity of tone or harshness, warmth or clarity or both. Micro and macro dynamics. And "intrinsic loudness"... that's the toughest one unless you have developed some kind of measurement or analysis standard, you also have to decide whether you're looking for your track to be "totally competitive" or "the best-sounding it can without compromise" (which these days is NOT at competitive level).

In the meantime, listen to examples of well-mastered music in the genre you're working, so you have some basis for comparison.

As to how far the mastering engineer can improve your current mixes, it's impossible to say without hearing them, but in the most subjective way possible, I usually say that your mixes can usually be improved by about a letter grade, assuming they were reasonably dynamic, open and had reasonable stereo separation to begin with.

[Franco]

^^Not much to add to what the man has said, but from experience:

If your mixes aren't that great (and it sounds like you suspect this), then the ME should be able to tell you what your problem areas are.

Comparing your master to commercial tunes can be great, but a disadvantage if you're comparing something that was done better than your mix to begin with, so when you hear back your master and you don't hear the same quality as something you're comparing that to, ask your ME if they could tell you why it wasn't possible to achieve this with your mix.

[Waltz Mastering]

In addition.

Play your master back on as many alternate systems as you like/can. (car - boom box - home theater - ipod - computer - stereo - etc.)

It should be able to "work" across the board, and if it sounds good, it usually is good.

If it's an album, check heads/tails, spacing and continuity from song to song.