Best Mastering Engineers based in UK

[David Watts]

I appreciate this isn't necessarily a straight forward answer, but I'm just really looking for the obvious names...

Basically, the mastering equivalent of Chris Lord-Alge, Michael Brauer et al in the mixing world... but based in the UK.

Thank you!

[Hoffmanwantsgear]

Can recommend Marc Joy of Ferndale Productions, he's mastered The Saturdays, Chris Braide (hit writer rather than big star) and has worked on Oasis/Primal Scream in the past.

[24-96 Mastering]

Originally Posted by chickenlunch

I appreciate this isn't necessarily a straight forward answer, but I'm just really looking for the obvious names...

Basically, the mastering equivalent of Chris Lord-Alge, Michael Brauer et al in the mixing world... but based in the UK.

Thank you!

Geoff Pesche
John Davis
Tim Young
Steve Rooke
Tony Cousins
Kevin Metcalfe
Ray Staff

To name a few

[therealbigd]

just send it to Metropolis

[brethes]

Originally Posted by 24-96 Mastering

Geoff Pesche
John Davis
Tim Young
Steve Rooke
Tony Cousins
Kevin Metcalfe
Ray Staff

To name a few

...
John Dent
Nilesh Patel
Simon Heyworth
...and many more.

Lots of very solid names here in the UK all doing great jobs without necessarily being in the limelight (British reserve?).

[Ben F]

Mike Marsh at the exchange does nice work.

[danoNJ]

I've heard there can be latency issues with UK mastering engineers due to the time difference. And if you plan on selling your record in the US, you have to take the 220V vs. 120V difference too... Or you could just shop around, why does it have to be an engineer in the UK? There's plenty of excellent, affordable guys in other countries.

-Dano-

[echoRausch]

Originally Posted by danoNJ

And if you plan on selling your record in the US, you have to take the 220V vs. 120V difference too...

[I.R.Baboon]

Ray Staff, John Dent, i doubt you could go wrong with these guys

[Joe_caithness]

Originally Posted by danoNJ

I've heard there can be latency issues with UK mastering engineers due to the time difference. And if you plan on selling your record in the US, you have to take the 220V vs. 120V difference too... Or you could just shop around, why does it have to be an engineer in the UK? There's plenty of excellent, affordable guys in other countries.

-Dano-

You have to also factor in the hidden cost of cups of tea

[Soundmaster Alex]

Originally Posted by danoNJ

I've heard there can be latency issues with UK mastering engineers due to the time difference.

There's no latency issues in the UK for someone who is based in Sheffield, which is in...the UK! We even have the same time zone in London as they do 200 miles north.

And if you plan on selling your record in the US, you have to take the 220V vs. 120V difference too...

This is possibly the most ridiculous statement I've ever read. Now where's that facepalm icon?

Or you could just shop around, why does it have to be an engineer in the UK? There's plenty of excellent, affordable guys in other countries.

Because he asked about UK mastering engineers, so that's what people are telling him about.

To answer the OP's question, there are dozens of UK mastering engineers who will do a great job for you at a good rate, just shop around and maybe pick one whose past clients whet your appetite the best!

[macc]

It's well documented that the voltage difference is why American dither sounds so much better than British dither.

[brethes]

Originally Posted by macc

It's well documented that the voltage difference is why American dither sounds so much better than British dither.

But proximity to the Icelandic volcano (the "Eyjafjallajökull effect") gives us the edge for microdynamics!

[Labs]

Originally Posted by Soundmaster Alex

This is possibly the most ridiculous statement I've ever read. Now where's that facepalm icon?

Yeah, the guy was obviously being 100% serious about it. What a loser.

Gustav

[Soundmaster Alex]

Originally Posted by brethes@mac.com

But proximity to the Icelandic volcano (the "Eyjafjallajökull effect") gives us the edge for microdynamics!

or have we all got volcano dust in our ears so we can't hear about 300 Hz

[macc]

Vintage Vesuvius dust is way more transparent to my ears. It will cost you though.

[dlmorley]

The problem with UK mastering is that with the ConDem government nobody knows whether to cut or boost. Expand or Limit. Tricky.
Dictatorships are best for mastering.

But yes, Mike at The Exchange is someone I have had experience of and it was very good.

[8BallProductions]

Originally Posted by Hoffmanwantsgear

Can recommend Marc Joy of Ferndale Productions, he's mastered The Saturdays, Chris Braide (hit writer rather than big star) and has worked on Oasis/Primal Scream in the past.

LMAO "he's mastered The Saturdays".... u shudnt put that as a credit ....

[Stardelta]

What type of project is it? CD or Vinyl, style of music etc.?

[recall]

John Dent.

[streetbeats]

Originally Posted by dlmorley

The problem with UK mastering is that with the ConDem government nobody knows whether to cut or boost. Expand or Limit. Tricky.
Dictatorships are best for mastering.

Stu Hawkes at Metropolis to add another name to the list...

[Delta Heavy]

Originally Posted by macc

Vintage Vesuvius dust is way more transparent to my ears. It will cost you though.

LOL

[danoNJ]

Originally Posted by Joe_caithness

You have to also factor in the hidden cost of cups of tea

Plus, if they're drinking Earl Grey, you have to figure in the cost of lemons as well, which can fluctuate based on the strength of the Euro...

[Paul_G]

Mike Marsh was very good when he did our stuff at the Exchange.
Miles Showell at Metropolis also did an excellent job for us on "Charango"
Both very humble, informative and fun to work with.

[brethes]

Originally Posted by Paul_G

Mike Marsh was very good when he did our stuff at the Exchange.
Miles Showell at Metropolis also did an excellent job for us on "Charango"
Both very humble, informative and fun to work with.

Skye is back. Yipee!

[Joe_caithness]

Originally Posted by danoNJ

Plus, if they're drinking Earl Grey, you have to figure in the cost of lemons as well, which can fluctuate based on the strength of the Euro...

I tried using Jif lemon shaped squeezey bottles once, but it just made my 6-6.7khz problem worse. Too spikey.

[Odeon-Mastering]

Originally Posted by Joe_caithness

I tried using Jif lemon shaped squeezey bottles once, but it just made my 6-6.7khz problem worse. Too spikey.

Emulations do not work like the real thing.

[MHB850]

Originally Posted by chickenlunch

I appreciate this isn't necessarily a straight forward answer, but I'm just really looking for the obvious names...

Basically, the mastering equivalent of Chris Lord-Alge, Michael Brauer et al in the mixing world... but based in the UK.

Thank you!

well, if you want to compare someone to me, in Europe I only use one person.
John Davis at Metropolis. He knows how I want my records to sound, which is basically to keep it dynamic and don't squash it. He uses the antelope trinity with the atomic 10m so that way the clocks stay the same through out the mixing process and it allows him to hear my mix as I intended it.

michael brauer

[phild]

Originally Posted by MHB850

well, if you want to compare someone to me, in Europe I only use one person.
John Davis at Metropolis. He knows how I want my records to sound, which is basically to keep it dynamic and don't squash it. He uses the antelope trinity with the atomic 10m so that way the clocks stay the same through out the mixing process and it allows him to hear my mix as I intended it.

michael brauer

Hi Michael,

I really rate Metropolis. Visiting a few years back was an experience.

I'm clocking my capture computer only (AES in from either a Prism or Lavry).

Is the Antelope Trinity with the Atomic 10m going to make a difference?
I mostly use analog for a bulk of my work - with digital processing coming from plugins or a Z-Sys EQ.

Are the Antelope products still worthwhile to check out? I don't usually moan about price but at that rate I'm expecting the Earth to shake & the clouds to part.

[Arksun]

Another vote for Metropolis, but a different engineer. Miles Showell, everything he's touched I have loved the sound of. He seems to strike that perfect balance between warmth, clarity, detail, depth and presence. Amazing engineer. Also a vote for John Dent @ Loud Mastering, excellent vinyl masterer and can transfer stuff to analog tape in the process well.