Mastering on a budget?

[nemisis633]

Hey everyone,

I've got a project for a band I've been working for coming to a close in the next few weeks and I need a good mastering house. Problem is budget is rather tight for the group at this point, but I don't want to send it off to a no name you know? In the past I've used John Vestman and had good results, although I think the time constraints would be a problem with him. (He's usualy booked up months in advance).

So whats your reccomendation. A discography of one or 2 note worthy artists would be nice.

Thanks in advance,
Jon

[Kris]

Check out :

http://www.drtmastering.com

different price points for different budgets, and he will do a test master for cheap , so you can hear and decide for yourself...

Can't lose!

[Jay Kahrs]

Define your budget. If you haven't contacted Brad Blackwood you should. He left Ardent not even a month ago and opened his own room.

bb@euphonicmasters.com

[Heterodox]

Is

http://www.discmakers.com/

respected at all? I figured so from the client list...(though that's a duplication list not a mastering list). But they master for reasonable prices (in obviously high-end settings) and will do free test masters. Quick turnaround too...and great duplication + mastering deals.

[Dave Martin]

And don't forget Bob Ohlsson - I've been very happy with the music I've heard out of Bob's Workroom. 615 385-8051

[Jay Kahrs]

Originally posted by Heterodox
Is

http://www.discmakers.com/

respected at all? I figured so from the client list...(though that's a duplication list not a mastering list). But they master for reasonable prices (in obviously high-end settings) and will do free test masters. Quick turnaround too...and great duplication + mastering deals.

Never really trust the mastering in duplication houses. Discmakers is a bit different, I know they have some nice gear in there but your still better off using someone else. Most of the time the duplicators "mastering" is running your project through a preset EQ and a limiter while they cut the glass. If your lucky they might actually adjust the settings a bit. Yeah, it'll be "mastered: and come back louder and brighter but mastering is so much more. Any good ME will give you a ref so they can make changes before the final product is sent to the duplicators.

BTW, has anyone used DRT? I clicked on the link and man, my head started to spin. Not the easiest site to get around on or understand. Hopefully the work is better then the website.

[Fuzzy Logic]

I've got screwed by discmakers more times then I care to mention. IMO, the reason we ended up there each time was because the various clients believed their hype. Each of the clients had to learn that the hard way. They never went back...

I know of others that like their work. Not me, they still **** with your stuff even when you tell them to leave your master mix untouched.

[Heterodox]

er...

Gearslutz - 2
Discmakers - 0

dfegad

[Kris]

Used DRT a number of times, and always completely stoked with the work... the guy is truly a 'master' mastering engineer...

Personally I like the site, it has a lot of great info on it... clicking links ain't rocket science, ya know???

Never had a problem with Discmakers either and I don't believe they would touch your master unless you asked them to. Why would they waste their time?

[nemisis633]

Hey everyone,

Talked to Brad at Euphonic and he was really helpful. So I've got a date booked with him. Thanks for all the suggestions everyone.

cheers,
Jon

[Jay Kahrs]

Great. You'll be happy with him, he did a record for me today and I can't wait to get it back and have it sound like music.

I think my problem with the DRT site is that there's too much info and it seems to ramble or not be well seperated. I also couldn't find a name anywhere, everything was signed DRT. Now if that's someone's initials it's cool, but how about a full name so I know who to ask for when I call?

[Kris]

David R. Torrey...

[Nutmeg II.]

If you are not sure with the facility and ME ask for a "Demo Mastering"!

[Jay Kahrs]

On second thought, Brad sucks. Don't use him ever. Check out this email from a really pissed off band;

got the disc. sounds ****ing great. only thing is time between songs. be back in Jerey sunday. talk soon.

R

Now, how can you argue with that? He did the thing on Wednesday after spending an hour and a half on the phone, then overnighted a disc to me and to the band's manager in Boston. Gotta love it.