mastering engineers for ambient/avant-garde/experimental music

[t_d]

does anyone out there know of any ME's that specialize in more esoteric forms of music? experimental/avant-garde.. minimalism, etc.

non-pop music.

i believe it would take an engineer with an ear for this type of stuff... maybe even a classical specialist...


thanks

[chrisj]

Easy. If the purity of the signal chain is a big deal, be sure and give me proper wordlength and/or sample rate. If there are special needs (such as deep ambient music in which everything sounds 1000 miles away) tell me what the need is and I can enhance it. I'm good at requirements like 'the soundstage has to be deeper'.

I think this belongs in the 'where to' forum...

[t_d]

thanks, i'll check your site out.

i've been involved with this sort of music for almost 20 years and run a label (for the past 10 years) specializing in this music. i do the mastering for my artists but i also master myself... so i was just curious who else was out there in case i wanted to pass one of my own albums onto someone else..

ha... been reading GS for a while now and never noticed the 'where to' part...

if the powers that be want to move it, that's cool.

[lucey]

Originally Posted by t_d

non-pop music.

i believe it would take an engineer with an ear for this type of stuff... maybe even a classical specialist...

If you communicate well, anyone can work for you. Specialist MEs are for pop music.

[brethes]

Originally Posted by lucey

If you communicate well, anyone can work for you. Specialist MEs are for pop music.

Yes, exactly. Any good mastering engineer with an open mind and a good line of communication should serve you well.
"Specialist MEs" generally are known for one particular kind of sound, which is probably the opposite of what you need.

[Nordenstam]

Hi Taylor! =)

The Internet world is so small! Been working on the Norwegian project you've been in touch with lately.

Any ME should be able to do most any music. But.. there is always certain styles where we as masters have a tendency to show brilliance more often than in others. Have played, produced and dj'ed "deep" electronic sounds for more than a decade and feel very much at home in the genre. Both in louder productions and the more classical music sound like the CD you've heard. Also happen to use some of the gear in your signature, like the fabulous machinedrum. Now I'm not a renowned act, like you or your label, but I think I still may perhaps be able to do something you'd appreciate. If you'd like to hear some examples I'd be happy to do a couple of tracks to see if we can make a fruitful cooperation!


Regards,

Andreas Nordenstam
Bergen / Norway

[Thor]

Brian is right on the money, communication is key.

I've been involved in a number of experimental/ambient projects the last few years, among others the NuMusic compilation (www.numusic.no), Athana (www.athana.no) and others.

Drop me a line and we can discuss your projects and goals.

Cheers,
Thor Legvold
--
Sonovo
www.sonovo.no

[t_d]

thanks for replies (and private emails).. i'll be in touch with everyone!

[shikawkee]

Hey, I'd take a look at Bob Olhsson too.
He's had some experience in this field.

olh@hyperback.com

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by t_d

does anyone out there know of any ME's that specialize in more esoteric forms of music? experimental/avant-garde.. minimalism, etc.

non-pop music.

i believe it would take an engineer with an ear for this type of stuff... maybe even a classical specialist...


thanks

Bob Olhsson and I both specialize in this type of music. Well, "specialize" is too much of a "pigeonhole" Let's just say that I am a very naturalistic type of mastering engineer and have done a lot of classical, minimalist, world, folk, and I appreciate many of the avant-garde forms, whether they fall into the "Art Ensemble of Chicago" funky jazz style or minimalist Steve Reich/Philip Glass classical style. Any good mastering engineer who has done his share of classical music should be sympathetic with the many variations of this music form. The key is understanding whether the music is supposed to have a pulse, and how much of a pulse there is.

If the message is supposed to be "hypnotic", then the pulse is usually subdued and regular, but if the music is supposed to be more "exciting" then the pulse should wake up you. If there is a give and take between the sections, then the mastering engineer should know whether dynamic contrast is a GOOD thing or a BAD thing for the type of music.