Mastering rooms:Floorstanding speakers and mastering desks

[bleen]

RFI's room was purpose-built for mastering. They have a pair of PMC MB2's up on Sound Anchors with the drivers pointing well over the mastering console. There's nothing "bookshelf speakers on the meter bridge" about the room, or the quality of the output. Outboard includes Prism EQ & compression, Weiss EQ, DAC & compression, TC 6000, Vari-Mu, Pyramix, etc.

Rick and Ed are class acts and brilliant engineers that serve Seattle with pride.

[crna59]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

I went to Google and found a number of studios that offer mastering
.
Maybe Seattle is a good place for someone to set up a mastering facility.

Yeah, anyone who owns a studio up here offers Mastering. I see Don you were one at one time but decided to get out of it.
Haven't seen anyone up here do any DSD Mastering yet though. Maybe someone will open a world class Mastering Facility up here sometime. It's been a long time coming!

Regards,
Bruce

[Andy Krehm]

Originally Posted by bleen

RFI's room was purpose-built for mastering. They have a pair of PMC MB2's up on Sound Anchors with the drivers pointing well over the mastering console. There's nothing "bookshelf speakers on the meter bridge" about the room, or the quality of the output. Outboard includes Prism EQ & compression, Weiss EQ, DAC & compression, TC 6000, Vari-Mu, Pyramix, etc.

Rick and Ed are class acts and brilliant engineers that serve Seattle with pride.

These guys should really expand their website to reflect the above information!

There is no gear list, pictures of the studio, client list or engineering resumes. Knowlegeable prospective buyers wouldn't have a clue about the level of the studio and would likely move on.

[jayfrigo]

Originally Posted by PMDUBS

PM is, or rather was, me. Neumann vms70 now residing in Frankfurt, rest of gear in storage. May appear again, but for now: post-meridiem RIP.

Hi Erik,

I'm sure the lack of web references was due to your hiatus. I hope it's short lived and you get that Neumann and the rest of the toys back in service soon! Sounds like you have a client that misses you several posts above.

Regards,

[FaTT Dust]

Originally Posted by Andy Krehm

These guys should really expand their website to reflect the above information!

There is no gear list, pictures of the studio, client list or engineering resumes. Knowlegeable prospective buyers wouldn't have a clue about the level of the studio and would likely move on.

Well said Andy.

Always the case with me. No ellaborations for us (the viewer), then, no time for such sites.

Ciao

[Mike Bruce]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

Maybe Seattle is a good place for someone to set up a mastering facility.

Well, that's what I've been thinking!

I'm a relative new comer to the game, and to the Seattle area. I moved here last Feb, and have been working on setting up a new room. Working a full time job doesn't leave much time for a new room, but it's been fun. This is also the first time I've ever had "real" gear to use...fun stuff, for sure!

And, while it's not a purpose built room, it'll do just fine for a temp room. In fact Bruce was kind enough to visit and take a listen, his comments were both positive and very helpful. Also, I've had the pleaure of seeing his new room mid-construction. I'll tell you, it should be pretty great when he's done...can't wait to hear it!

I've also paid a visit to RFI and that room also sounds very, very good! Rick is a great guy that was (like Bruce) very kind to a new guy in the area trying to get his start in mastering...thanks to both of you!

My room is currently the "Bonus Room" in a rental, but someday I hope to have a first class room! THe room is pretty much done, but I'm still getting some of the business end of things finished up. Here's a couple of pics...


Just wanted to let you guys know that there are some new guys in the Seattle area getting things started!

Mike Bruce
Auricle Audio Mastering

[jdg]

Looks great mike! and i use those same red bricks from homedepot for my speakers :P

[crna59]

Originally Posted by Mike Bruce

Well, that's what I've been thinking!

Just wanted to let you guys know that there are some new guys in the Seattle area getting things started!

Mike Bruce
Auricle Audio Mastering

I would just like to add that Mike's desk (and mine) were built by Allen Larsen of Cascade Productions. These decks have rounded corners and take in consideration early/first reflections. Each desk is custom made for your equipment and compares in price to Sterling. He even uses REAL wood!

Nice pics Mike!

Regards,
Bruce

[FaTT Dust]

Originally Posted by crna59

Nice pics Mike!

Regards,
Bruce

Very nice pics Mike!! Nice room, for sure.

[Mike Bruce]

Originally Posted by FaTT Dust

Very nice pics Mike!! Nice room, for sure.

Thanks man! The desk was fun to help design/build. Plus, I got exactly what I was looking for for less money than anything else I could buy, and I got to use solid cherry for quite a bit of it, and finish it to match the B&W's to boot!

Allen at Cascade Productions is a first rate engineer, master wood worker, and a nation champion cross country road bicycle racer (RAAM), not to mention Dad! Quite a guy. If anyone is interested in any custom stuff, his rates are VERY resonable, with first rate quality.

http://www.cascade-pro.com/

Mike Bruce

[lucey]

A direct route from tweeters and mid drivers to ears is key, as is eliminating flatscreens and first reflections. The room and the user do the rest.

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by crna59

Now THAT's what a Mastering room should look like!
I love those Pass Labs amps! Thanks Bob!

Regards,
Bruce

I just interviewed Bob Ludwig. He says he's mastering standing up! That's a solution, if not a solution to weight loss. :-)

I think I have the best compromise between acoustics and ergonomics in my room, but you have to do what works for you. I certainly would not approve ANY setup that put the first reflection in the engineer's ear or has a large object in or near the path between the speakers and the ears. That's a no no. And there's a lot more to it than first reflection analysis, but it's a start.

BK

[FaTT Dust]

Originally Posted by bob katz

I just interviewed Bob Ludwig. He says he's mastering standing up! That's a solution, if not a solution to weight loss. :-)

BK

Standing up!!!?? NOt difficult to imagine, but how does he work out his ergonomics and listening position. I guess everythings raised.. He looks like a tall fella too..

Ciao

[Bob Olhsson]

I think most of us used to work standing up. I hadn't thought about this in years.

[Jerry Tubb]

Originally Posted by Bob Olhsson

I think most of us used to work standing up. I hadn't thought about this in years.

How 'bout a tall padded stool ?

Standing up is for young guys that wanna dance when they're mastering : - )

I used to enjoy standing up, on the playback QC, at the end of the session... but that was a decade or more ago.

JT

[DSD_Mastering]

I was sitting here looking at the links from my server and noticed a couple of them came from this thread.
I re-read the thread and my comments from a couple of years ago and it really sounds like I was a cockey a*hole!
I apologize if I offended any of my Seattle colleagues. I have learned quite a lot in the past few years and I am humbled by everyone that has accepted me as an equal.

Regards,
Bruce

[Silvertone]

Originally Posted by bob katz

I just interviewed Bob Ludwig. He says he's mastering standing up! That's a solution, if not a solution to weight loss. :-)

I think I have the best compromise between acoustics and ergonomics in my room, but you have to do what works for you. I certainly would not approve ANY setup that put the first reflection in the engineer's ear or has a large object in or near the path between the speakers and the ears. That's a no no. And there's a lot more to it than first reflection analysis, but it's a start.

BK

Now Bob did you ask Bob why he has to stand up? Bob's been hedging toward standing up for years now... unfortunately, mastering engineers can suffer the same fate as truck drivers!

[SafeandSound]

Hi all I am a new member here and found this thread the reason to join in !

Very interesting topic and it's a challenge even for a smaller mastering room, I am just putting my room together and I have found myself having my VDU's off to the side which compromises ergonomics slightly but I think this is worth it personally for the sake of better sound. Fortunately I have just the one screen requirement at the moment. I made some custom stands (fortunately my father is a carpenter) which raise them to optimal monitoring position.

There is a lot to consider and some compromises to be made.

Really enjoyed reading how everyone is dealing with the monitoring/ergonomics problem and solutions.

Cheers

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by Bob Boyd

and remember that clothes will absorb too so the only way to get a "natural" diffusion is...

nothing should stand between you and the music!

Actually, people absorb sound, too, so why not just play the sound with no people in the room, then it will be perfect!

BK

[djwaudio]

Originally Posted by bob katz

I just interviewed Bob Ludwig. He says he's mastering standing up! That's a solution, if not a solution to weight loss. :-)

BK

In radio, the talent often stands as well. It keeps the energy up during the program. My next mastering room will be set to accommodate standing and using a tall lab chair. Probably a section of the floor will be sunken so the controls are within reach.

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by Silvertone

Now Bob did you ask Bob why he has to stand up? Bob's been hedging toward standing up for years now... unfortunately, mastering engineers can suffer the same fate as truck drivers!

Obviously, besides getting good exercise BL stands up to get the best sound from his large, floor-standing loudspeakers with the least acoustic interference from his mastering desk.

BK

[Thomas W. Bethe]

Originally Posted by WaltzMastering

Hi,

If you want to give us a shot, I guarantee my work so you can't go wrong.

You can send a song, 24 or 16 bit through <www.sendspace.com>

1. Select File to be uploaded (1 Song takes 4 minutes to upload)
2. Enter our e-mail address as the recipient: waltzmastering@gmail.com
3. Press “send”

Easy.....

I'll master it and send you back a snippet for your approval.
You wouldn't have to pay unless you were 100% good with it.

Please check out my facility at http://www.waltzmastering.com
give me a jingle at waltzaudio@gmail.com

Thanks, Tom Waltz

This looks like an ADVERT to me and I am wondering what it is doing in this forum?

Moderator?????

[Riccardo]

Originally Posted by Thomas W. Bethe

Moderator?????

I usually stand up but the Sterling desk comes handy to write down recalls and support espresso cups. Small display on the right hand side, well clear from the desk.