does the mixing engineer need to approve mastering houses and the mastered version?

[4 the Max]

Questions:
1. Does the mixing engineer usually have the role of approving the mastering house?

2. Once mastered by someone else, does the mixing engineer need to approve the mastered version before it is released to the general public for promotion and/or commercial use?
1. I own a studio. I also am a member of a folk music club.

2. This is the first project that the club and I are doing.

I paid an engineer, suggested to me by the musician being tracked, to track some folk-pop musician for the club who gave up his rights to this recording so that the club can sell the album to raise money for the club's future performances musicians (different musicians than the one that was recorded.)

3. The engineer agreed to mix the project for free to help out the club. He is also the paid live sound guy for the club.

4. The musician, club, and I want to send the album for mastering .

5. The tracking/mixing engineer said that he has to approve the mastering house and how the final mastered version sounds because his reputation for the tracking/mixing is reflected on the final mastered sound.

6. The mixing engineer also offered to master his mixes for the same quote that I found for a mastering house from a classified ad in Recording magazine ($300 for the album).

Furthermore, he said that it would be better if he mastered the album because he's already familiar with it, having tracked and mixed it and

because it will be mastered the way that he would like it - he won't have to approve whom we choose to master.

The engineer also said that it would be better because the musician that was recorded would approve of his mastering version and we wouldn't need the musician's approval of the mastering house or the mastered version from the the musician and this tracking/mixing engineer.

Question: Having read the usually someone else than the tracking/mixing engineer does the mastering in order to have "fresh ears":
1. Does the mixing engineer usually have the role of approving the mastering house?

2. Once mastered by someone else, does the mixing engineer need to approve the mastered version before it is released to the general public for promotion and/or commercial use?

[RCM - Ronan]

Originally Posted by 4 the Max

Question: Having read the usually someone else than the tracking/mixing engineer does the mastering in order to have "fresh ears":
1. Does the mixing engineer usually have the role of approving the mastering house?

2. Once mastered by someone else, does the mixing engineer need to approve the mastered version before it is released to the general public for promotion and/or commercial use?

The producer of the album (or the label) usually approves who will do the mastering, and also makes final approval of the mastering work.

That being said, if the mixing engineer is doing work for you for free to help you out, it seems fair for him to make some conditions about the process.

Lastly I do not know which mastering house you are considering, but any place that would master an entire album for $300 makes me a little bit nervous.

[haikusoftruth]

Originally Posted by rcm

The producer of the album (or the label) usually approves who will do the mastering, and also makes final approval of the mastering work.

That being said, if the mixing engineer is doing work for you for free to help you out, it seems fair for him to make some conditions about the process.

Lastly I do not know which mastering house you are considering, but any place that would master an entire album for $300 makes me a little bit nervous.

Exactly.

If he mixed the record for free, he did it to get exposure. Hes trying to assure a quality product.

300 for mastering an album means you aren't hiring a REAL mastering engineer... And if you aren't going to hire a REAL mastering engineer, let the mixer do it. If you like the end result who cares!

But he is 100% right to ask for some semblance of control over the final mix on a spec recording.

[Storyville]

Originally Posted by 4 the Max

Questions:
1. Does the mixing engineer usually have the role of approving the mastering house?

Whoever is funding the project calls the shot. Often the mix engineer will provide referrals - and of course the mix engineer's opinion should be considered.

2. Once mastered by someone else, does the mixing engineer need to approve the mastered version before it is released to the general public for promotion and/or commercial use?

No. Again, whoever is paying the bills has final say. However, it's generally a good idea to get the mix engineer's approval.

1. I own a studio. I also am a member of a folk music club.

I agree.

2. This is the first project that the club and I are doing.

I paid an engineer, suggested to me by the musician being tracked, to track some folk-pop musician for the club who gave up his rights to this recording so that the club can sell the album to raise money for the club's future performances musicians (different musicians than the one that was recorded.)

3. The engineer agreed to mix the project for free to help out the club. He is also the paid live sound guy for the club.

hmmm...

4. The musician, club, and I want to send the album for mastering .

So far so good.

5. The tracking/mixing engineer said that he has to approve the mastering house and how the final mastered version sounds because his reputation for the tracking/mixing is reflected on the final mastered sound.

He doesn't HAVE to, but it's a generally a good practice because it does reflect his mixing ability.

6. The mixing engineer also offered to master his mixes for the same quote that I found for a mastering house from a classified ad in Recording magazine ($300 for the album).

300$ is a little on the light side for professional mastering.

Furthermore, he said that it would be better if he mastered the album because he's already familiar with it, having tracked and mixed it and

because it will be mastered the way that he would like it - he won't have to approve whom we choose to master.

This is very backwards thinking. If there's anything he would change he should change it in the mix. The PROBLEM is that he is familiar with it.

The engineer also said that it would be better because the musician that was recorded would approve of his mastering version and we wouldn't need the musician's approval of the mastering house or the mastered version from the the musician and this tracking/mixing engineer.

Whoever is paying for this calls the shots. Period.

Question: Having read the usually someone else than the tracking/mixing engineer does the mastering in order to have "fresh ears":
1. Does the mixing engineer usually have the role of approving the mastering house?

Yes. He recommends, but rarely has final say. Often, I will attend mastering sessions or coordinate the final master as the mix engineer - but this is not always the case.

2. Once mastered by someone else, does the mixing engineer need to approve the mastered version before it is released to the general public for promotion and/or commercial use?

No. However, if he doesn't like the master he can ask to have his name removed from the project and it can strain the business relationship.

Why don't you just hire an ME that the mixing engineer likes.

[Daypass137]

I agree with RCM, $300 dollars for mastering an album, makes me think its some kid using plugins at his house. If thats the case, you may as well have your engineer master it in pro tools.

Also as a mixing engineer, i try to get a test master, to make sure they are giving my client the best possible sound for the project, before we go ahead and get the whole record mastered.

Our mastering budget is usually $1000 for a 10 song record.

Good luck with the project.