Hip-hop/Rock Mastering

[Oliver Hart]

The music is hip-hop. (But it is generally more aggressive than any rap that's come out since like Run-Dmc)

I have taken previos products to very "high end" mastering houses (names need not be mentioned) and for the money, haven't been happy with the results. I don't expect the M.E. to make a shitty mix brilliant, but they sure as hell shouldn't make it worse!
That being said, All the guys I would trust at Bernie grundman are booked into december. I need november.

The reason I am posting here is I thought maybe some of you guys know somebody that I don't, that does a good job, but may not be as "famous" as some of the others. Price is not an issue.

Thanks a bunch.

Eyedea

[jazzius II]

I'd be happy to smack it upside the head for you.......

[e-cue]

Originally posted by Oliver Hart
The reason I am posting here is I thought maybe some of you guys know somebody that I don't, that does a good job, but may not be as "famous" as some of the others. Price is not an issue.

Thanks a bunch.

Eyedea

I've said it here a million times: Oasis Mastering. Eddy and Gene over there are the best. Eddy might be a bit more difficult to book time with, but you'd be in good hands with Gene (he's done everyone from Transplants, Pennywise, and The Distrillers to Will.I.Am, The Liks, and Styles of Beyond). I prefer them over BG, although I think BG's output has gotten better in the last half year. Everyone I've sent over to Oasis has been happy thus far.

[Jay Kahrs]

Brad Blackwood. - bb@euphonicmasters.com

Never had a problem with anything I've sent him. It always comes back sounding the same or better.

[Steve Smith]

The last 2 post pretty much sum it up.

[shikawkee]

I've hired/worked with most of the top guys sans Ludwig and I can't tell you how impressed I am by Bob Olhsson's work. I am not blowing smoke. He just finished my latest project and as I told him it's easily the best sounding, most dynamic master I've encountered thus far. His attentiveness to detail and ears are astounding. Seriously. And affordable.

[jazzius II]

Wherever you go, make sure you know what you want before-hand.......some will leave it dynamic (Bob O?) while others would clip the living crap out of it.......get hold of a CD that you like the sound of and take that along as a loudness reference.......maybe the ME can reach it and maybe not (depends on the production/mix) .....but it will give a ball park idea and will prevent him from going in totally wrong direction (in your eyes).

[NathanEldred]

Oliver, check your private message box please. Thanks.

[Jason Poulin]

what do the prices usually run at? I know it differs but...

Let's say for a half decent ME per day? hour?

I'd like to send maybe two songs to get done up to the tits. Just so I can have as comparison of what I can do versus them.

It will be a good refference for futur clients that are too cheap to spend the extra coin to get the job done by the right person.

Maybe once they hear the difference, they'll make budget for it.

Thanks

Jason

[e-cue]

Oasis has been cool enough to do a song for free as a 'shootout' to see who's best in the past. Futuredisk used to do this too. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

[Jason Poulin]

Thanks e-cue

I just checked out their site... I think I will give them a try.

I tried getting a quote but I can't seem to connect with their server. Everytime I fill out the quote sheet, I get a long delay after I hit send and then I get the connection failure message.

I'll keep trying... worst case I'll call them.

That Eddy has quite the discographry.

Anyhow Thanks again e-cue

Jason

[e-cue]

Try Natasha at natasha@oasismastering.com

[Jason Poulin]

Thanks!

Jason

[Oliver Hart]

Thanks for all the replies. they have helped a lot.

-Oliver Smart

[e-cue]

Also, if you are delivering to mixes in a digital format, I highly suggest do them at 24 bit. I usually send 1/2' and 24 bit AIFF's. Most of the time they just go with the 1/2.

[Jay Kahrs]

Hopefully the ME will listen to both the analog and digital capture and use whichever one sounds better. It's weird, but I've had a few cases where for whatever reason the digital capture sounds better then the analog master. Strange but true. That's why it's damn important to have a mastering engineer you can trust, we as AE's can't always be at a mastering session so when the phone rings with a question it's nice to know that your on the same page as the person mastering your record.

It's been my experience that once clients hear the difference between mastered and unmastered they have no problem paying the money for it. The only question at that point is which ME do you pick and how much $$$ can be spent on mastering. If the goal is to get a real CD made with artwork and I'm the AE it has to be mastered, not negotible. End of story.

Seriously, give Brad a call or an email. He does great work, is a super cool guy and is also really affordable. Hell, I do a lot of indie rock and everyone knows those bands don't have money. If they can afford him...

[splattercell]

oliver et al,
i must also to mention ken lee / ken lee mastering, oakland california!
dt / spltrcl